As mentioned in previous Lanterns episode reviews, my John Stewart knowledge begins and ends with the Justice League cartoon.
I’ve been on board for the character of John Stewart from go—I never even once considered how he became Green Lantern. It’s always seemed obvious. I think this show agrees.
The episode begins with John Stewart falling from what looks like a mall’s ceiling, onto a pile of mattresses. A Guardian (played by Laura Linney) greets him for his Green Lantern interview back in 2016.
Jasmine Cephas Jones iso.
Jones plays Jon’s mother Bernadette in flashbacks of his childhood.
Cleverly, the first time we see Jon as a child, he’s sneaking TV while his dad pulls on the driveway from work. The scene with him and his brothers staying up late kinda makes you believe Moms isn’t around.
Not only is John Stewart’s mom around—this entire operation is her idea, her way to fix her husband, to ensure her son escapes the same fate, by any means.
Bernadette is approached by Laura Linney’s Guardian in the 90’s, shortly after Hal Jordan took the mantle, to inform Mrs. Stewart her son perhaps has the potential to become Hal’s successor—Bernadette sacrificing everything to make sure her son has a better life.
Here’s a dumb review of the episode I saw on slash film, complaining about this show repeating tropes:
In “Lanterns” Episode 3, we see the Power Ring’s selection process taking place, which essentially involves identifying a fearless individual worthy of wearing the ring. Ultimately, Hal Jordan fits the bill. But while John Stewart’s father might not have made the cut, the ring saw something in him in the first place, otherwise he would never have been selected. What exactly did the ring see in him? Well, that’s left up to our imagination. As is John’s inherent worthiness, in what is essentially the continuation of a long-running “it’s in his DNA” trope that isn’t actually all that interesting.
To believe John Stewart became Green Lantern because something in his DNA made him destined is a complete misreading of the text and seemingly ignores all of Jasmine’s scenes.
First, John’s dad wasn’t chosen because of his “DNA”, necessarily, but more broadly, the Green Lantern selection process simply went to soldiers—Hal Jordan in the Air Force, Jon Stewart’s dad in the Marines—the alien’s device unaware of human culture just assumed those who volunteered for military service were fearless.
A test his mom explains to be unfair and biased against a black man in America, to be asked if they’re afraid after being woken up in the middle of the night to flashing lights—fearlessness a trait only affored to someone of Hal’s background (Although, I’m certain we’ll see in Hal’s inevitable flashback episode that he was more than worthy of the ring but that’s a convo for a different day)
John Stewart carries the burden of systematic disenfranchisement on his shoulders, his parents creating a fearless black man in America. That’s the secret to his selection.
The show even doubles down on this idea. John Stewart spends 9 months camping out in the woods, no complaints, just doing his job—only for his sniper shot to be swooped up and taken by Hal fucking Jordan—who received the intel drunk at a bar, the opportunity once again falling in his lap, out of John Stewart’s hands. And the disciplined freak John takes the public punishment for the incident—receiving a dishonorable discharge thanks to actions completely out of his control.
John Stewart is Green Lantern because he’s the most deserving—because his family dedicated their lives to ensure he was the most deserving.
Honestly, to read his selection as Green Lantern any other way is just lazy fucking writing or a complete disconnect from the show, and I can imagine why.
Everyone’s jaded. Everything woke. Wah wah wah, bitch I’m lil baby
Lanterns is sick as hell so far. I’m excited to see what type of weird ass “father-son” relationship Hal and Sinestro had. Fingers crossed they kiss.
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