‘Lanterns’ Episode 5 Full Trailer Breakdown: Every Major Reveal So Far

Things are heating up in HBO’s Lanterns. While we are only midway through the series, Episode 5 already has a finale-like feel, at least judging by the teaser. Episode 4 ended on something of a cliffhanger, with Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) once again jumping out of the driver’s seat and letting his protégé John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) figure out how to survive. But this time, he does not leave him with the ring.

​Now, the Episode 5 trailer (watch above) promises an explosive (literally) and action-packed episode. It’s just shy of a minute in duration, and yet it reveals… well, a lot. I have gleaned five great reveals from the preview that will make you want to watch it already. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

1 Hal’s Manhunter Theory Checks Out

In Episode 4, Hal pointed out how John did not react overmuch to the death of Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan). Hal guessed correctly that John suspected Zoe was a Manhunter and could not be killed in the explosion. And indeed, in the Episode 5 promo, she is seen standing safe and sound and overseeing, it seems, an explosion. We know Manhunters in comics are existential villains of the Green Lantern Corps, but that might not necessarily be the case with Zoe.

2 Rushville Gets an Emergency Broadcast Warning

The promo begins with an emergency broadcast addressed to Rushville residents. We don’t know what the threat is. There is an impending disaster, and we see its after-effects. John walks the street with a haunted look in his eyes, which makes me think he was somehow responsible, or considers himself so. So, what happened?

3 Something Explodes Over Rushville

We see a massive explosion that blows off the water tower. It makes me think it might be one of those suicidal aliens led by Antaan in Episode 2, blowing up because they think the Lanterns failed. The captured alien in Episode 1 also detonated, even though the explosion was largely minimized by Hal’s globular construct.

4 Hal and John’s Rift Boils Over

A fleeting shot has Hal and John coming to blows. John has, until now, controlled his emotions. Hal feels insecure about John one day replacing him. Their methods, like in the best buddy movies, are also conflicting. Hal is smart but reckless, while John is careful and methodical. As I said earlier, towards the end of Episode 4, Hal can be said to have tried to kill John. Now, it seems, John has had enough.

5 A Red Lantern Easter Egg?

The trailer also contains a particularly intriguing detail involving a flash of red imagery. At first glance, it could be easy to dismiss it as simply blood or another visual element from the scene. However, the shot appears to show a drop of red liquid (may or may not be blood) falling into an eye, and it could be a subtle Red Lantern reference. It would confirm the Atrocitus theory, at least.

6 Hal Finally Cuts Loose With His Ring

I said Hal is reckless, but when it comes to the ring, he’s actually pretty responsible. But we know from Lanterns episode 3 that he can be absolutely devastating when he does cut loose. And now, it appears he will. We see him shooting cannon-like constructs at an approaching vehicle. The sequence gives viewers a glimpse of what happens when one of the most experienced Green Lanterns actually decides to use his ring at full force.

What do you think is really happening in Rushville? Let us know your Lanterns theories in the comments.