‘Lanterns’ would like to challenge the viewer on the murky waters of morality, guilt, and the repercussions of choice, but Kerry Kane‘s narrative presents a tough question: how much sympathy does someone deserve when they knowingly allow innocent people to suffer?
Kerry Kane Knew the Truth And Made Her Choices
Kerry knew the truth about Noah, yet protected him even though he knew the danger he posed, and let Hal Jordan take the blame for ten years. But when all is said and done, the show’s more concerned with her emotional torment than with the people she’s hurting by making the decisions she does.
Related: ‘Lanterns’ Made Guy Gardner Look Weak Just To Set Up John Stewart
The problem with Kerry is that she was not a victim or a bystander in a situation she couldn’t escape. She knew that Noah was a Manhunter, knew what he was, and helped to keep his secret. Her actions enabled the situation in the town to continue, and Hal was left to carry the consequences for years.
That’s where it really gets annoying. Kerry had an idea of what her son could do, but she still brought Hal into their lives. Hal offered her an escape, even suggesting that they leave together, but she killed Hal instead. Hal was by no means a saint. However, his shortcomings do not justify what happened to him.
He was attempting to prevent a threat and save lives, but instead was a victim of Kerry’s decisions. It gets even worse when John Stewart is dragged into the situation. John arrives trying to understand what happened, only to become entangled in a web of lies, manipulation, and tragedy.
Is Living With Guilt Really Enough Punishment?
The question of accountability is raised by the apparent attitude of Tom King that Kerry should have to live with what she did. You can feel bad about what you did, but that doesn’t mean you are being punished for it.
In case you missed it: John Stewart Could Become One Of DCU’s Most Important Heroes After ‘Lanterns’
What about Hal, who lost 10 years of his life due to someone else’s cover-up? What about those who lost their lives? And what about John, who must now carry the emotional burden of uncovering everything?
The show can certainly go into Kerry’s pain without asking viewers to forgive her. These are two distinct concepts. In fact, Kerry would have been a very interesting tragic figure if she had been forced to deal with the consequences of her decisions. Instead, her suffering risks becoming a substitute for accountability.
Not all characters have to be saved, and not all tragedy is worthy of sympathy. Sometimes, the most human thing to do is to try to comprehend how somebody can make bad choices, but also realize that those choices were unforgivable. For many, Kerry has crossed that line, and merely living with her guilt might not be sufficient.
You might like to read: ‘Lanterns’ Already Has A Season 2 Plan That Could Change DCU’s Future
