Sinestro Arrives in 'Lanterns'
The second episode of HBO's 'Lanterns' introduces a figure long familiar to DC Comics readers: Sinestro. As reported by both GamesRadar+ and Inverse, the episode ends with Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) flying to another planet to visit a man held in a Guardians prison. The man is Sinestro, played by Ulrich Thomsen, and he does not appear happy to see Hal.
Before that confrontation, the show lays groundwork for the character's significance. According to Inverse, Sheriff Kerry (Kelly Macdonald) tells Hal that he was calling out Sinestro's name in his sleep. Curious, Kerry does some research and discovers that Sinestro was once a Lantern who attempted a coup and murdered a Guardian. She also tells Hal, "It also says you were the one who took him down." The revelation is clearly a touchy subject for Hal, who avoids discussing it.
Hal's visit to Sinestro is brief and tense. GamesRadar+ reports that Hal demands Sinestro tell him about the Manhunters, to which Sinestro responds cryptically: "If one still existed, it'd be the second greatest threat you're currently facing." This line, as GamesRadar+ notes, connects directly to the ongoing mystery in Rushville, Nebraska, where John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) has learned that a "Manhunter" is hiding in town.
Sinestro's Comic Book History
To understand Sinestro's role, both outlets point to his rich comic book backstory. In the comics, Sinestro is a Korugarian alien who serves as Hal Jordan's mentor, much as Hal is meant to train John. However, Sinestro rules his home planet as a totalitarian dictator, a fact that Hal eventually exposes. According to GamesRadar+, Hal disobeys Sinestro's orders and reaches out to other Lanterns for help, leading to Sinestro's banishment to a universe made of negative matter. Sinestro escapes, commits genocide across multiple star systems, and is ultimately trapped inside the Central Battery by Hal.
Inverse adds nuance to this history. Sinestro was once "widely regarded as the greatest of the Lanterns," but his obsession with control made him a dictator. After Hal's testimony led to his expulsion from the Green Lantern Corps, Sinestro swore revenge. He allied with Parallax and became the first Yellow Lantern, forming a rival group. This background informs why Kerry's research would describe him as a traitor and murderer.
Both sources note that it remains unclear how closely the show will follow this comic book origin. As GamesRadar+ puts it, the series has yet to reveal how comic-accurate Sinestro's backstory will be. The show has already taken liberties with other elements, so viewers should expect some deviations.
The Manhunter Connection
Taste of Country, which focuses on the broader mystery of 'Lanterns', provides additional context on the show's plot. Set in Rushville, Nebraska, the series follows Hal and John as they investigate a mass shooting. The shooter turns out to be an extraterrestrial in disguise, but the case opens a deeper rabbit hole: the town's metal detectors are actually advanced technology for recognizing disguised aliens, and John is kidnapped by a group of aliens who tell him about a "Manhunter" in their midst.
For DC readers, the term "Manhunter" carries significant weight, as Taste of Country notes. The word has appeared in various forms in DC Comics, often referring to android police forces or a superhero identity. In the context of 'Lanterns', Sinestro's cryptic warning suggests that the Manhunters are a major threat, one that Hal is deeply concerned about. The exact nature of this threat, and the identity of the Manhunter in Rushville, remains the central mystery of the series.
What's Next for Hal and Sinestro
Hal's decision to visit Sinestro raises questions about his relationship with John. As GamesRadar+ speculates, it seems likely that Hal will keep this visit a secret, given that consulting a "genocidal war criminal" would be unorthodox. This tension could become a major plot point as the series progresses.
For now, 'Lanterns' is available to stream on HBO Max. The show's slow-burn approach to its central mysteries—the Manhunter, Sinestro's past, and Hal's own history—has kept viewers engaged, even as the superhero elements take a backseat to the investigative drama. As both GamesRadar+ and Inverse note, Sinestro's introduction adds a layer of complexity to Hal's character and the wider DC universe, promising more revelations in future episodes.