Lanterns Episode Reveals John Stewart Was Raised to Be a Green Lantern

The third episode of the series Lanterns revealed that John Stewart has been raised since birth with the specific purpose of becoming a Green Lantern. This revelation came as part of a complex narrative structure that jumped between multiple timelines, detailing the origins of John Stewart and his family.

The episode centered on an interview where John Stewart was being considered for the role of Green Lantern. The interviewer was a Guardian, portrayed by Laura Linney, who explained that the traditional method of rings choosing their wielders had changed following the death of another Guardian. John, who was found by the Guardian after falling from a shopping mall ceiling, questioned why he was being interviewed if rings typically make the selection.

During the interview, the story flashed back to a pivotal moment in John Stewart's family history. When John was a baby, a green light appeared in his parents' room, lifting his father, John Sr., played by J. Alphonse Nicholson, from his bed. The light asked John Sr. if he was afraid, and his affirmative scream caused the light to depart. This event marked the moment John Sr. lost the opportunity to become a Green Lantern, with the ring subsequently choosing Hal Jordan instead.

John Sr. struggled significantly with this missed chance. He became enraged after seeing a news report about Hal Jordan's origin, which referenced the same

Bernadette, John's mother, portrayed by Jasmine Cephas Jones, initially disbelieved John Sr.'s account of the green light. His anger and the perceived danger it posed to their family led her to ask him to leave. Soon after, the Guardian, played by Laura Linney, visited the Stewart residence, seeking John Sr. The Guardian apologized for the

Bernadette challenged the Guardian, demanding proof of her alien identity, which the Guardian provided by morphing into a tall, blue form. Bernadette then explained to the Guardian the unique challenges and perspectives faced by Black men in America, suggesting that the Guardian's understanding of fear was incomplete in that context. The Guardian acknowledged this lack of understanding.

Impressed by Bernadette, the Guardian proposed a new path for the Green Lantern lineage. Recognizing that John Sr. could no longer be a candidate, the Guardian suggested that if Bernadette and John Sr. raised their son, John, to be fearless, he could become the next Green Lantern. The Guardian promised Bernadette that John would receive a fair opportunity. This agreement meant that John Stewart's entire life had been a preparation for this potential role, culminating in the interview depicted in the episode.