Lanterns may be about to make its biggest narrative change yet, with the show’s timeline rumored to be making a big jump after this week’s episode. A new scoop has suggested when the HBO series will finally shift to the point fans have been waiting to see since the pilot’s shocking ending.
Lanterns Episode 6 could finally answer whether Hal Jordan is really dead
Scooper MyTimeToShineHello posted on X that Episode 5 will be the last one set in 2016. “From episode 6 we jump to 2026,” the post stated. This timeline shift could finally address Hal Jordan’s fate in the present day.
The HBO series unfolds across two timelines throughout its first season. The 2016 storyline follows Hal and John Stewart investigating a murder in Rushville, Nebraska. The 2026 timeline introduced a shocking twist in the pilot’s final moments.
Episode 1 ended with John returning to Rushville in 2026 and finding Hal dead with his ring missing. The show has primarily focused on the 2016 investigation across its first four episodes. Showrunner Chris Mundy previously compared this dual-timeline structure to True Detective’s first season.
Mundy described the narrative as exploring “emotional mysteries” rather than a traditional whodunit. He also noted that the story examines why the mystery takes place. The relationship between Jordan and Stewart binds the two timelines together throughout the season.
The upcoming Episode 5, titled “Lights Out,” carries a writing credit for Justin Britt-Gibson and Damon Lindelof. Episode 6 features a script from Lindelof and co-creator Tom King. The series will conclude with its eighth episode on October 4.
Kyle Chandler stars as the veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan in the series. Aaron Pierre portrays new recruit John Stewart opposite him. The show has drawn strong viewership, with its third episode reaching 10 million viewers worldwide.
DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran previously stated the series could continue beyond its first season. Writer Christopher Cantwell has already joined to work on a potential second season. The jump to 2026 in Episode 6 should reveal crucial details about what happened to Hal.
