When to Watch 'Lanterns' Episode 2
The second episode of DC Studios' 'Lanterns' arrives Sunday, Aug. 23, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on HBO and HBO Max. The episode, titled 'Trust Fall,' runs 52 minutes, according to Forbes. Unlike some streaming premieres, the show goes live simultaneously across time zones at the moment it airs on HBO, as reported by Forbes.
How to Watch Without Cable
HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial, but there is a workaround: new DIRECTV customers can watch the episode for free through a 5-day trial that includes HBO Max access. This option was highlighted by both cleveland.com and syracuse.com. DIRECTV is also offering three months of HBO Max free as an add-on to qualifying packages, as reported by syracuse.com, with cleveland.com noting that the offer includes first two months free on other plans, then $18.49 per month.
Streaming Alternatives
For viewers exploring cheaper options, Philo's Bundle+ plan packages HBO Max and Discovery+ with over 70 live channels for $33 per month. Sling offers HBO as an $18 add-on to its base plans. Both Disney+ and Hulu can be bundled with HBO Max for around $19.99 per month, as detailed by syracuse.com and cleveland.com.
Episode 1 Recap and Show Context
In the 'Pilot,' Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) mentors new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a shooting in Rushville, Nebraska. The premiere introduced multiple timelines, including a future where Hal is dead and his ring is missing—a mystery that includes Sinestro and local power broker William Macon, according to cleveland.com.
The series, created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, with Mundy as showrunner, has been hailed as critically strong. Forbes reports its Rotten Tomatoes score at 94%, up from 90%, and notes that creator Mundy has started a writing room for a potential second season.
The show follows Jordan and Stewart as Green Lanterns who discover a dark, earth-based mystery in Nebraska. CNET points out that John Stewart's background as a former Marine and architect informs his character. 'Lanterns' is under the watchful eye of James Gunn, part of DC Studios' current slate along with other superhero productions like 'Daredevil: Born Again' and the upcoming 'VisionQuest.'
Release Schedule for 'Lanterns'
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, airing weekly through Oct. 4. The full schedule, as shared by CNET, includes:
- Episode 3: Aug. 30
- Episode 4: Sept. 6
- Episode 5: Sept. 13
- Episode 6: Sept. 20
- Episode 7: Sept. 27
- Episode 8 (finale): Oct. 4
Episode runtime information from leaks suggests episodes will hover around an hour, with the 'Trust Fall' coming in at 52 minutes.
Audience Reception
'Lanterns' has already become a hit. According to syracuse.com, which cited Variety, the series drew 9.3 million viewers globally in its first three days, marking the biggest DC Studios series launch on HBO Max to date. That audience interest may have been fueled by anticipation for a series that combines twisting detective storytelling with the cosmic scale of the DC Universe.