Lanterns solves the mystery of Hal's murder with a shocking reveal - ending breakdown inside

HBO's Lanterns wrapped up Season 1 with a high-stakes and action-packed finale titled Dirt and Stars, which solved the mystery of Hal's murder and introduced a secret Manhunter.

According to People Magazine, the Lanterns finale began with a flashback to Hal's return from prison after the 2016 Rushville destruction. Soon after his return, his house was attacked by a Rushville resident, who threw a burning explosive through the window. After Hal fell through the staircase and found himself surrounded by flames, an unidentified person rescued him and used Zoe's Manhunter technology to heal the burns on his body.

Who was the mysterious new Manhunter? Who murdered Hal?

Here's what happened in the finale.

Lanterns finale ending explained: Who helped Sinestro?

One of the biggest reveals in Lanterns Episode 7 was the appearance of Sinestro, who somehow managed to escape his 'Space Azkaban.' The former Green Lantern revealed that he created a new lantern, using the leftover fear (in the air and water) from Antaan's planet, streaked through with yellow.

According to Mashable, Sinestro also revealed that the Yellow Lantern is not for him but for Noah Macon, Sheriff Kerry's son, who helped Sinestro escape space prison and is a Manhunter.

The Lanterns finale revealed that Zoe was not the last remaining Manhunter on Earth. Although Manhunters can't reproduce, Zoe used her Manhunter technology and a sample from Kerry's body to create another Manhunter. Soon after Kerry's encounter with Zoe, she found herself pregnant and gave birth to Noah, but tried her best to raise him like a human. Despite Kerry's best efforts, Noah discovered his true identity, setting up a complicated identity crisis.

Turns out, Noah turned to Sinestro for help when he felt danger from the Guardians and asked him to create a Lantern as a backup plan. It was Noah who saved Hal from the burning house, but the deceased Green Lantern learned about his Manhunter identity in the process, resulting in his death.

Who killed Hal?

In the Lanterns finale, John returned to Rushville and met Noah, who revealed he killed Hal after the Green Lantern found his portal to Antaan's planet. In a shocking turn of events, Noah asked John to mercy-kill him like his grandmother Zoe, after his final football match with his teammates.

It was only later, during the football game, that John learned it was Kerry, not her son, who actually shot Hal dead. Kerry confessed she was scared when Hal confronted her about Noah's Manhunter identity and suggested starting a new life with him, where Noah would be safe. In the heat of the moment, Kerry fatally shot Hal but immediately regretted her decision.

After the shocking Lanterns finale reveal, John decided to spare both Noah and Kerry. After Noah confessed he wanted to undo his programming, John saw potential in him and decided to leave him with his mother, with a chance to live a normal life.

John embraced his Green Lantern identity in the Lanterns finale

After solving the mystery of Hal's murder and sparing both Kerry and Noah in the Lanterns finale, John had one important task. He summoned Guy Gardner and revealed the change in Green Lantern management on Earth. John revealed that while Earth would be his domain, Guy would be in charge of the rest of Sector 2814.

With the decision made, John needed to charge his ring with Sinestro's lantern and become the new Green Lantern. Earlier, Sinestro revealed that Hal's hologram would cease to exist once the ring on the new lantern was charged, which was John's cue to say his final goodbye to his mentor. In an emotional moment, John said goodbye to Hal's Hologram, who surprisingly revealed:

"I love you too, Junior. Don't be afraid to be afraid."

With Hal's Green Lantern ring and Sinestro's new lantern, John declared himself the new Green Lantern in the Lanterns finale. He finally took the Green Lantern Corps oath but altered it. This is what the new oath says:

"In brightest day, in darkest night, I'll embrace my fear. I'll do what's right. I choose this ring. I choose this fight. In service to this lantern's light."

John Stewart's altered Green Lantern oath perfectly embraces his flaws and shortcomings, setting him up for Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming follow-up to Superman, starring David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult.

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You can stream Lanterns on HBO Max.

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