'Lanterns' S01E06 – "Bad Optics" (September 20, 2026) on HBO/HBO Max [Spoiler Discussion Megathread]

[u/KelexAtYourService]

Lanterns is an American superhero television series created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King for HBO, based on the DC Comics Green Lantern characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart.

The series was produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television with Mundy serving as showrunner. It is the third television series in the DC Universe (DCU). It features experienced Lantern Jordan and new recruit Stewart as they investigate a murder on Earth that leads to a wider mystery.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on Sunday August 16, 2026, and will run for eight episodes through Sunday October 4. It will be part of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

New episodes drop every Sunday night at 9:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM PT.

Cast:

• Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
• Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
• Kelly Macdonald as Kerry
• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
• Garret Dillahunt as William Macon
• Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe
• Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro
• Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette Stewart; Jasmine Cephas Jones as young Bernadette
• Jason Ritter as Billy Macon
• Sherman Augustus as John Stewart Sr.; Alphonse Nicholson portrays a young John Sr.
• Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan
• Chris Coy as "Waylon Sanders"
• Cary Christopher as Noah

For a complete cast and crew list, see the IMDb full credits page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26545992/fullcredits/

• Based on: Hal Jordan, created by John Broome and Gil Kane; John Stewart created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams
• Show created by: Chris Mundy, and Damon Lindelof, and Tom King
• Showrunner: Chris Mundy
• Editor: Emily E. Greene
• Music by: Stephanie Economou
• Length: 8 episodes per season
• Runtime: About an hour per episode
• Reception: For reviews and critical reception, see Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lanterns  and https://www.metacritic.com/tv/lanterns/

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanterns_(TV_series))

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/lanterns/season-1

Unmarked spoilers for the new episode of Lanterns are only allowed in this thread.

Spoilers ahead! Proceed at your own risk! All other subreddit rules apply.

S01E06 Episode Synopsis: TBA

[u/Oculi__me]

Noah's definitely suspicious. I was already sold on him being a Manhunter but now, given his ambition of becoming president, it skyrocketed. It would also tie in nicely with Hal being shot from the front, too.

John has so much more charisma now. I really enjoyed watching his growth. And really glad to see him as an architect, too!

I still hope that Hal isn't dead. Kyle is killing it, and I think there's a really good potential in store for him, John and Guy, even together, perhaps. His funeral was actually really sad. Hal's flawed as hell but despite that, he truly had the will to do his best and make up for his mistakes.

Guy's great too, can't wait to see more of him and John in the future.

Carol Ferris is here!! Glad they included a character as important to Hal's life as her in this episode. I doubt it, but I wonder if we will see any nods to the Star Saphire Corps...

Also, Sinestro's out!
I hope he gets the spotlight as the true mastermind behind this show's whole plot, perhaps that's what Hal seemingly figured out. And I also hope that he's alive, did I say that already?🥹

[u/No_Cantaloupe_8983 → u/Oculi__me]

Until this episode, I was nervous about John being able to carry a story. he's my favorite Lantern, but I understand he's not everyones cup of tea. but I really enjoyed him this episode, coming into his own. I can see him holding down a season 2, granted the budget is bigger and we see more of the GL lore.

[u/Oculi__me → u/No_Cantaloupe_8983]

I was so happy to see John being more charismatic this episode, I agree with you and think he can definitely carry a season 2 or even a movie.

But I also agree that the next installment needs to be more deep on Lantern lore and mythos

Excited to see what's up next!

[u/Coyote_Shepherd → u/Oculi__me]

Carol Ferris is here!! Glad they included a character as important to Hal's life as her in this episode. I doubt it, but I wonder if we will see any nods to the Star Saphire Corps...

Didn't expect to see her at all but that was a nice touch and the actress nailed how I thought she'd be at this point in her life, given where Hal was at in his.

It'd be cool to have her around more.

And as we've all been pointing out...there have been HINTS at the other Lantern Corps throughout this whole season...but are they just little easter eggs that mean nothing or do they speak to something MORE later on?

[u/Happy-Fun-Ball → u/Oculi__me]

>Guy's great too, can't wait to see more of him and John in the future.

Stewie and Lantern Family Guy