Spoiler warning: this article discusses the finale of “Lanterns.”
"Lanterns" closes with a finale that defies everyone's expectations of a superhero show and a bittersweet farewell to the great pairing of Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
In a conversation after the release of "Dirt and Stars" (season 1, episode 8), series leads Aaron Pierre (John) and Kyle Chandler (Hal) spoke about the friendship that grew on set and shaped their characters' dynamic, one that peaks in a surprisingly emotional final scene ("I love you." “And I love you too, Junior.”).
“Kyle and I are from two different places in the world. We have very different upbringings and very different journeys. But what we discovered instantly, and on a much deeper level throughout the six months we were filming, is that we have far more in common than anything else,” Pierre said.
That connection mattered on a demanding shoot. “The entire experience was joyful and beautiful, but it required a lot of focus because of the intensity of it, and we needed to be able to be vulnerable with each other,” he said. “One of the pillars of this show is our dynamic and our connection as characters and actors. If that fell flat, we were going to be in a lot of trouble.”
Pierre was grateful for what came out of it. “The icing on the cake was that we genuinely developed a friendship, a closeness and a brotherhood that is not a given in these situations. ... But when you're gifted with a genuine connection and friendship, it's just heaven.”
Chandler said the finale hit him hard on first viewing. “After watching it this morning, something really struck me: the last scene with Aaron and me. It's like when you win the state championship and tears come to your eye, because all the work you put in slams into you at one moment on the field,” he said. “I did have to gently wipe away a tear so my wife didn't make fun of me. It was like saying goodbye to a lot of old friends, great memories and experiences, temporarily, until I think about them again.”
Chandler also tied the story to his personal life, speaking about the father and son thread between Hal and John. “I lost my pop when I was 14, and it's just incredible. Hal had that going on with John, that father and son relationship. It became apparent while we were shooting, along with that wisdom and being able to give back a little bit. So that love story is, he won my heart over in the end, and I was able to do what my father would have done for me.”
All episodes of "Lanterns" season 1 are now streaming on HBO Max.
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