Juju Green breaks down Lanterns Episode 5, “Lights Out,” with writer Justin Britt-Gibson and Kelly Macdonald, who plays Sheriff Kerry Kane. From the fall of Rushville to John Stewart and Hal Jordan’s brutal fight, the episode takes Lanterns into some of its biggest emotional territory yet.
Episode Breakdown:
✅ Justin Britt-Gibson reveals why the destruction of Rushville was always a major turning point for the season.
✅ The writer discusses Green Lantern mythology, the show’s cop-thriller influences, and the Guardians’ complicated role in the story.
✅ Justin breaks down John’s decision to turn away from the ring and what it says about his sense of self.
✅ Kelly Macdonald talks about building Sheriff Kerry Kane, including her Gotham City origins, Nebraska identity, and relationship with Hal Jordan.
✅ Geeta Vasant Patel shares her perspective on the episode’s biggest confrontations, including the John and Hal motel fight and John’s decision to give back the ring.
Watch Lanterns on HBO Max and listen to Lanterns: The Official Podcast on HBO Max, the HBO Max YouTube channel, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Produced by OBB Sound.
YouTube Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:29 Justin Britt-Gibson on the Fall of Rushville
5:08 The Destruction of Rushville
9:39 Hal Jordan’s Programming
10:31 Zoe’s Deals with Kerry and John
13:22 The Cop-Thriller DNA of Lanterns
15:55 The Guardians and Institutional Power
18:14 The Cost of Becoming a Green Lantern
23:28 Macon’s Devotion to Zoe
26:08 Writing the John and Hal Motel Fight
29:21 Why John Turns Down the Ring
31:22 Kelly Macdonald on Sheriff Kerry Kane
34:59 Kerry Kane’s Gotham Origins
39:40 Kerry and Hal Jordan
43:42 Geeta Vasant Patel on the Final Confrontation
47:02 Outro
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What do you mean twist??? Manhunters are created by the guardians in every iteration dude. It was a given
This podcast is fantastic! And this episode really hit me
We know that John and Guy are in Man of Tomorrow, so there will still be something that will stay unresolved until next year…can’t wait!!!
This show is firing on all cylinders. It felt like a season finale and we still have 3 episodes!
I feel like Hal needs to watch Spider-Man: Homecoming and pay attention to Tony’s classic line to Peter: “If you’re nothing without the suit, then you shouldn’t have it.” This show takes the time to show us this over 5 episodes. Loving it so much!!!
Who knew Dembélé was such a great writer
Congrats on showing the world how this genre needs to be done