‘Lanterns’ has reached the point where its biggest unanswered questions could either lead to a brilliant payoff or expose major cracks in the story. With only a few episodes left, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guardian Lianna are surrounded by enough suspicious behavior to make almost every explanation feel possible.
The Manhunter mystery was obviously at the center of everything, but now another possibility is worth considering: what if the real threat isn’t the Manhunter at all?
Is Parallax Quietly Pulling The Strings?
One detail that makes the theory interesting is the show’s repeated focus on fear, insecurity, and manipulation. Lianna’s behavior toward John has been increasingly unsettling, while John’s parents constantly pressure him about becoming a Green Lantern even when he is dealing with deeply personal problems.
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That could simply be dysfunctional behavior. However, it also lines up with a familiar Green Lantern concept: Parallax, the embodiment of fear. Sinestro’s conversation with Hal also leaves plenty of room for interpretation. He warns that a surviving Manhunter would be the second-biggest threat Hal currently faces, before shifting the conversation toward John.
If the writers are deliberately withholding information, that dialogue could eventually mean something very different. Imagine discovering that the Guardian who replaced Hal isn’t simply making questionable decisions, but has been compromised by Parallax. Suddenly, several strange character choices could take on a new meaning.
Hal Jordan’s Fate Could Change Everything
Hal’s behavior toward John is another reason the theory refuses to disappear. Even when the two clash, Hal appears to protect him. If Hal genuinely believes John is being manipulated or potentially infected, his actions could be less about opposing his replacement and more about keeping him alive long enough to uncover the truth.
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Even Hal’s apparent fate could be part of the deception. If he survives, the final episodes could transform what initially looked like a story about betrayal and succession into a much larger battle against fear itself. It would also give Hal and John the partnership audiences have been waiting to see.
But there is a catch: the theory only works if the show actually delivers. With the finale approaching, ‘Lanterns’ has one job left: prove that all this uncertainty was intentional.
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