Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns episode 6.

Lanterns episode 6 has made its debut on HBO Max — and while it didn't answer every big question I had heading into Lanterns' sixth chapter, it does include a cameo from someone who's an incredibly important part of the Green Lantern mythos.

Titled 'Bad Optics', this week's chapter sees John Stewart return to Rushville 10 years after the town's near-destruction to investigate the apparent death of Hal Jordan. Before his mentor's funeral, Stewart meets and interacts with a character who has strong ties to Jordan in DC Comics, and whose presence in this DC Universe (DCU) TV show further cements the wider worldbuilding — or should that be universe-building — of this nascent cinematic franchise.

So, who is this mystery individual? What's their relationship to Hal Jordan? And could we see their superhuman alter ego at some point in the DCU? Let's take a look at the latest comic book character to be referenced in the hit HBO Max show.

Who is Carol Ferris in Lanterns? Hal Jordan's love interest in DC Comics, explained

Created by John Broome and Gil Kane, Carol Ferris is not only Hal Jordan's long-time love interest but was also one of his most noteworthy foes for many years.

Making her debut in Showcase #22 in late 1959, Carol was introduced to readers as the only child of aerospace mogul Carl Ferris and the vice president of her father's company, Ferris Aircraft. After hiring Hal Jordan as a test pilot for said corporation, Carol quickly falls in love with the soon-to-be Green Lantern, but their romantic relationship doesn't last.

The reason? Carol is abducted, brainwashed, and turned into one of Jordan's arch-nemeses in the form of Star Sapphire by the Zamarons. Formerly part of an alien race called the Maltusians, the female members of this species became the Zamarons after parting ways with the male Maltusians, who then rebranded themselves as the Oans — or, to call them by their more common name, the Guardians of the Universe.

With the immortal Guardians no longer requiring their female counterparts to procreate, the Zamarons left them to their devices, developed a warrior-like cult, and — to cut a long story short — soon became fierce rivals to the Guardians.

But back to Carol. Following her kidnapping, she's infused with an incredibly powerful space stone known as a Star Sapphire, which turns her into a superhuman capable of going toe-to-toe with a Green Lantern.

Abilities-wise, Star Sapphire's powerset includes — but isn't limited to — the ability to fly, create energy blasts, constructs, and force fields, survive in space, alter people's minds, and even heal individuals with the power of... well, love.

Anyway, ever since Star Sapphire's first appearance in October 1962's Green Lantern vol. 2 #16, Carol and Hal have battled each other on a regular basis as their superpowered aliases. Whenever Carol isn't possessed by the space gem she's synonymous with, the pair get on pretty well (for the most part) and have been romantically entangled on an on-off basis through the decades.

More recently, Star Sapphire has taken on the role of a superhero rather than a supervillain. In fact, as of 2007's Green Lantern vol. 4 #20, Carol is the leader of the Star Sapphire Corps, otherwise known as the Violet Lantern Corps. This group has purple power rings, which are charged/powered by the emotion of love, and are now viewed as allies of the Green Lantern Corps.

Who plays Carol Ferris in Lanterns?

That'll be Amie MacKenzie. Viewers might recognize her from Better Call Saul and The Madison on Netflix, Dexter: Original Sin and Yellowstone spin-off 1923 on Paramount+, Mountainhead on HBO Max, and MacGruber on Peacock.

Lanterns' latest chapter doesn't indicate whether we'll see Carol again. While her appearance at Hal's poorly attended funeral suggests they were together at some point prior in the DCU, it seems her inclusion is simply to make diehard DC comic book fans imitate that famous Leonardo DiCaprio meme from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Don't expect to see MacKenzie as Carol's superpowered alter-ego at any point in the DCU, then.

Anyway, this isn't the first time Carol has appeared in a live-action project. She was portrayed by Blake Lively in 2011's Green Lantern movie, which starred Ryan Reynolds as the titular hero and was slammed by fans and critics alike upon release. But, hey, Reynolds and Lively fell in love, got married, and had kids after meeting on that film, so something good came out of it for them!

How Carol Ferris' cameo might be hinting at the creation of more Lantern Corps

In spite of what I've just written, though, it's possible Carol's appearance could point to the formation of other Lantern Corps in the DCU.

Okay, that already appears to be a given. Sinestro's brief appearances in the DCU Chapter One show and Lanterns' title card slowly changing from green to yellow imply that it won't be long before Sinestro creates the Yellow Lantern Corps, if he hasn't secretly done so already.

Regardless, with Carol showing up in the sci-fi crime drama, we've now met individuals with ties to three of the seven Lantern Corps that exist in DC Comics, all of which harness a specific feeling on the emotional spectrum: Green (willpower), Yellow (fear), and Violet (love). The others are Red (rage), Blue (hope), Indigo (compassion), and Orange (greed).

Will we see any and/or all of these interstellar organizations in the DCU? It's possible, although recent comments made by the head of HBO have me fearing the worst about Lanterns season 2. If another season of this successful TV series isn't greenlit, we'd have to hope that they're part of a Green Lantern movie — maybe an adaptation of the acclaimed 'Sinestro Corps War' comic storyline, perhaps? — on the big screen instead.

How is Ted Lasso season 4 going to end? Outside of those who worked on it, nobody knows — but I can tell you when its eighth episode will be released on Apple TV.

Indeed, as one of TechRadar's resident entertainment experts, I'm your best source for all manner of release date and launch time information. So, if you're desperate to know more about when this week's chapter — titled 'Follow the Anger' — will premiere, I've got you covered.

What is the launch time for Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8?

Ted Lasso season 4's next entry is expected to drop in the US and Canada at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Tuesday, September 22.

Apple has always made a habit of telling us that episodes of its new and returning TV Originals will come out every Wednesday at 12am PT in North America. Nonetheless, every single one of this season's episodes has arrived on Tuesday evenings at the times I mentioned above. It's all but confirmed, then, that season 4 episode 8 will do the same.

As for the rest of the world, Ted Lasso's next installment will be released on Wednesday, September 23. Read on to see what time it'll launch where you live:

• US — Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Wednesday, September 23 at 2am BST
• India — Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Wednesday, September 23 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Wednesday, September 23 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Wednesday, September 23 at 1pm NZST

Ted Lasso season 4 full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

Unless there's an unexpected alteration to this season's current release schedule, new episodes will make landfall every Tuesday in North and South America, and on Wednesdays on other continents. Read on to see when the final two installments will air near you:

• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 1 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 2 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 3 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 4 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 5 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 6 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 7 — out now
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 8 — September 22/23
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 9 — September 29/30
• Ted Lasso season 4 episode 10 — October 6/7

Black Panther 3 is already primed to round out Marvel's 2028 line-up on the big screen. Indeed, with its launch set for December 2028, we know it'll be one of three movies the comic book giant will release in just over two years' time.

What do we know so far about our next trip to Wakanda? Below, I've rounded up all the latest information on the forthcoming Marvel film, including its official release date, confirmed cast, and more. Let's dive in, then — altogether now: Yibambe!

Black Panther 3 release date

Black Panther 3 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters worldwide on December 15, 2028. That launch date was revealed during Marvel's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026 in late July.

There's no word on when filming might begin or how much of the script has been written. However, it's highly unlikely the cameras will start rolling until principal photography has wrapped on Avengers: Secret Wars, aka the final film of the Marvel Multiverse Saga.

The reason? Some of Black Panther 3's confirmed cast (more on them shortly) will appear in the sixth Avengers movie, so it won't enter full production until they're available to shoot it.

Black Panther 3 trailer: is there one?

No — and it's going to be a long time before a teaser for the next Black Panther movie is publicly released.

If I had to guess, I expect its first trailer will be unveiled at SDCC 2028. That's a good 18 months away, so don't expect me to update this article section for some time.

Black Panther 3 confirmed cast

Per Marvel.com, here's the confirmed cast so far:

• David Jonsson as T'Challa II
• Letitia Wright as Shuri
• Winston Duke as M'Baku

Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, The Long Walk) was officially announced as T'Challa II — FYI, his legal name is Toussaint — at SDCC 2026.

We first met T'Challa's son in the final scene of 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but it was unclear if he'd ever succeed his father and become the technologically advanced African nation's new protector-in-chief.

Indeed, speaking exclusively to TechRadar back in February 2025, Black Panther producer Nate Moore suggested that the eponymous hero wouldn't be played by a third actor. The first two being, of course, the late Chadwick Boseman, who played T'Challa before his passing in August 2021, and Letitia Wright, whose Marvel character Shuri assumed the mantle in Wakanda Forever.

Now, though, we know that Jonsson will play the grown-up version of T'Challa II. Chatting to Empire magazine, Marvel President Kevin Feige revealed Jonsson was cast after a secret meeting in February 2026, so Moore wasn't pulling the wool over our eyes 12 months earlier.

Meanwhile, Wright told Entertainment Weekly that she's happy for Jonsson to take ownership of the role, although there's no word on whether Shuri will have passed the torch by the start of this movie, or whether it'll happen as part of its plot.

Jonsson won't be the only Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debutant in Black Panther 3.

Speaking on The Today Show in late 2025, multi-award-winning actor Denzel Washington dropped the bombshell that he'll appear in the threequel. Per Variety, Washington personally called director Ryan Coogler to apologize for jumping the gun on that announcement, but everything's been smoothed over now. Indeed, Coogler doubled down on Washington's casting during a chat with people.com, though he declined to reveal the identity of the A-lister's character.

As for other stars who might feature, it's possible Danai Gurira might return as Okoye, the former head of Wakanda's Dora Milaje. Lupita Nyong'o could be back as Nakia, aka T'Challa II's mom, too. Until Marvel announces their returns, I'll keep them off the confirmed cast list.

Black Panther 3 plot rumors

Predictably, there are no story details for Black Panther 3. Marvel is fully focused on Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in cinemas this December, and its Secret Wars sequel, which comes out in December 2027. With the MCU's future being dictated by what happens in these films, we won't have any concrete information about Black Panther 3's plot until the Multiverse Saga has drawn to a close.

That said, there are a couple of things we can speculate on.

For starters, if T'Challa II adopts the Black Panther mantle and also plans on ruling Wakanda, M'Baku — the leader of the Jabari Tribe and the African nation's current monarch — would need to step aside. Will he do so willingly, or will T'Challa II have to fight him in ritual combat for that honor?

Then, as I mentioned earlier, it'll be interesting to see if T'Challa II is already the new Black Panther by the time this Marvel Phase 7 movie starts. The alternative is that he'll replace Shuri at some point during its runtime. This might be a better way of introducing T'Challa II to audiences and giving him a traditional hero's journey to embark on before he becomes the Black Panther's latest custodian.

On top of all that, we'll eventually learn if Washington's character is an ally or enemy of Wakanda's aristocracy, and what role the fictional kingdom will play in version 2.0 of the MCU (I'll circle back to this in a moment). Furthermore, we should find out whether Boseman's legacy as T'Challa, and his untimely death, will loom as large over proceedings as it did in Wakanda Forever. Once more has been discussed by those involved in the movie's production, I'll update this section.

How will Black Panther 3 impact the MCU?

In short: nobody knows. As I said earlier, we've got to get through Doomsday and Secret Wars before we know what version 2.0 of the MCU will look like. Once we do, we'll have a better understanding of how Black Panther and Wakanda fit into Marvel's streamlined cinematic universe.

While we wait, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday and then get the full lowdown on Avengers: Secret Wars.

Once you're done, learn all there is to know about VisionQuest before getting the complete scoop on Daredevil: Born Again season 3 ahead of both projects hitting Disney+.

Lanterns' endgame is fast approaching. Indeed, only three episodes remain of the increasingly popular sci-fi crime show's debut season, so it won't be long until it no longer lights up our screens.

Right now, though, you just want to know when the DC Universe (DCU) TV series' next chapter, which will pick up the story 10 years after the devastating Rushville-based events we saw in last week's entry, will air. So, read on to find out when HBO's Green Lantern TV show will return for its sixth episode.

When does episode 6 of Lanterns come out?

Titled 'Bad Optics', Lanterns episode 6 will arrive in the US and Canada on Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

Don't live in those nations? You'll have to wait until Monday, September 21 to catch the DCU Chapter One TV series' sixth chapter. I can point you in the right direction of its launch time where you're based, too, so check out the list below for more details:

• US — Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• Canada — Sunday, September 20 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET
• UK — Monday, September 21 at 2am BST
• India — Monday, September 21 at 6:30am IST
• Singapore — Monday, September 21 at 9am SGT
• Australia — Monday, September 21 at 11am AEST
• New Zealand — Monday, September 21 at 1pm NZST

Where can I watch Lanterns episode 6?

I sound like a broken record at this point, but every episode of Lanterns — including this week's entry — will drop on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, in countries that it's launched in.

Live somewhere that the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned platform hasn't come to yet? There are other TV networks and streamers that the DC comic book show is available on. Read on to see where you can see it in your neck of the woods:

• US — HBO and HBO Max
• Canada — Crave
• UK — HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and Now TV
• India — JioHotstar
• Singapore — HBO Max
• Australia — HBO Max
• New Zealand — HBO Max

Lanterns full release schedule: when do new episodes come out?

As I mentioned above, there are only three more episodes of the Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler-fronted TV program to enjoy before it'll go off air.

So, when will that final trio arrive? If you've been watching from the start, you'll already be aware that new installments premiere every Sunday in North America, and on Mondays in other territories.

Even so, regardless of whether you're a long-time reader or new around these parts, you'll want to know the exact date that every remaining chapter will come out on. For more details, scroll on:

• Lanterns episode 1 — out now
• Lanterns episode 2 — out now
• Lanterns episode 3 — out now
• Lanterns episode 4 — out now
• Lanterns episode 5 — out now
• Lanterns episode 6 — September 20/21
• Lanterns episode 7 — September 27/28
• Lanterns episode 8 — October 4/5

For more on the hit series' ahead of its next episode, read about the five big questions I need Lanterns episode 6 to answer. Then, see what Lanterns' midseason trailer tells us about its final three chapters. Lastly, find out why I'm fearing the worst for Lanterns season 2.

We've officially passed the midway point of September 2026 — and your reward for doing so is a weekend full of thrilling television.

Indeed, our latest streaming round-up features a bumper crop of new and returning shows on the world's best streaming services. That's a good thing, too, because new movies released at home are at a premium this week.

Still, with the eagerly anticipated new seasons of Apple TV and Paramount+ Originals — among others — to enjoy, you're spoiled for choice over what you should watch first this weekend. So, scroll on to see what'll be top of your watchlist. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

MobLand season 2 (Paramount+)

Look lively, gang — the Harrigans are back in town. MobLand season 2 is even more chaotic than before, and that makes for absolutely exceptional TV.

Conrad's feud with Kevin ramps up a notch, embroiling new 'fixer' Frankie in their mess as family arch-rival Kat tries to take control of London from a distance. This leaves Harry having to clean up even more mess than before, particularly considering his and Jan's impending divorce.

If you think you understand, you don't — between the Harrigans and us, it's the blind leading the blind. But, that makes tuning into Paramount+ this week all the more enriching, because everyone is prepared to take a risk. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch MobLand season 2 on Paramount+

Slow Horses season 6 (Apple TV)

The latest season of Slow Horses didn't trot, but rather galloped back onto Apple's streaming platform earlier this week — and with good reason. The hit thriller's sixth installment sees past and present agents of Slough House targeted by mysterious adversaries, which forces the likes of Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden's River Cartwright, and — spoiler — the returning Olivia Cooke's Sid Baker to go on the run.

With two more seasons already in development, there'll be even more spy- and crime-based drama to enjoy sometime in 2027. Whether we'll see all of our favorite oddballs and damaged individuals return for that chapter, though, remains to be seen. — TP

• Watch Slow Horses season 6 on Apple TV

Neagley (Prime Video)

If you've loved watching Reacher season 4 but absolutely hated that loyal sidekick Neagley wasn't in it, I've got the perfect solution for you. Self-titled Neagley is the spinoff you'll have been waiting for, and it's a seamless continuation of the popular Amazon TV Original.

Taking on the lead role, she's working as a private investigator in Chicago, learning that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident. Obviously, Neagley is hell-bent on getting revenge and bringing the killer to justice, and puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil.

Who does that remind you of? It's clear to see why Neagley has become the fan-favorite that she now is... but don't think that Reacher himself is too far away from this Prime Video off-shoot. — JV

• Watch Neagley on Prime Video

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Netflix)

Another installment of Ryan Murphy's controversial Netflix anthology series... consider me sat. This time around, he's taking on the infamous story of Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted of murdering of her father and stepmother in 1982.

The above trailer quickly shows how the dark nursery rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks" took hold, or why Martin Prince plays her in the Cape Feare episode of The Simpsons (couldn't not mention him). But, trapped in a cruel Victorian-era household, there's more psychological damage here than meets the eye.

Led by Ella Beatty in the titular role, this is the first time that Monster is fully female-focused. In even better news, American Horror Story stalwart Sarah Paulson also makes an appearance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Go figure. — JV

• Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix

Youth (HBO Max)

Sharon Horgan has made the jump to HBO Max with her latest comedy vehicle Youth, whose first two episodes drop this Sunday (September 20).

In it, the Irish writer/actor/producer plays Alex, a 50-something divorcee struggling to navigate her newfound post-marriage world. Throw having to juggle her career, family, and quest to find love again into the mix, and Alex has certainly got her hands full.

Horgan's most recent live-action TV projects have all landed well with critics and general audiences alike, so Warner Bros. will be hoping she weaves her magic with this latest venture. — TP

• Watch Youth on HBO Max

Best of the Best (Netflix)

The coming-of-age school dance storyline has been in dire need of a revamp for years, but Best of the Best is coming to save the day.

In it, we follow two childhood besties who join UCLA's competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team, only to find the road to the US championships is fiercer than they imagined.

Leading lady Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is truly the entertainment it-girl of the moment, meaning anything she's in is well worth streaming. Frankly, I'm just happy for an excuse to dance while I watch something. — JV

• Watch Best of the Best on Netflix

Golden Axe (Paramount+)

The first of many SEGA franchises that are getting turned into movies or TV shows over the next few years, Golden Axe is billed as a "hilarious homage to SEGA's iconic 1989 video game", and boasts a strong voice cast that includes recent Emmy double winner Matthew Rhys.

An animated offering, it sees three legendary warriors in Ax, Tyris, and Gilius reunite and embark on a quest to defeat the evil giant known as Death Adder. Unfortunately for the trio, their mission is hampered by Hampton Squid, an inexperienced adventurer who invites himself along for the ride.

All 10 episodes are out now on Paramount+, so those who like to binge watch shows and/or want to get nostalgic over the classic arcade game can do so now. — TP

• Watch Golden Axe on Paramount+

Lanterns' endgame is fast approaching. Only three more episodes remain of the increasingly popular DC Universe (DCU) TV show's debut season, so it won't be long before it departs our screens.

Right now, though, all eyes are on episode 6, which will reunite us with John Stewart, Hal Jordan, Kerry Kane, and other characters 10 years after last week's explosive episode.

Heading into this week's chapter, titled 'Bad Optics', there are five specific questions that need to be addressed, including one that's cast a large shadow over the HBO TV Original since its premiere. Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns up to and including episode 5.

1. What are John Stewart and Hal Jordan up to in 2026?

We already know what happened to the Rushville residents who survived the devastating events of last week's episode.

Indeed, as Lanterns episode 1's time jump revealed, Sheriff Kerry Kane stuck around as the town's primary law enforcer. Meanwhile, her son Noah is sure to have remained, while a teaser for Lanterns episode 6 confirmed that Bill Macon stayed put despite his father's death, and the decimation of his and his family's community. But, what happened to the sci-fi crime show's lead duo in John Stewart and Hal Jordan?

Where Jordan is concerned, the episode 6 teaser heavily implies that he and Kane got together. After all, Kane wouldn't say "he came back for me" if they hadn't become romantically entangled in the years since the Battle of Rushville. That would also mean that, at some point, Kane and Macon's marriage ended, so it'll be interesting to see when that occurred, and how long it took for Jordan and Kane to become an item.

Furthermore, I'm intrigued to see what kind of life Jordan has made for himself in Rushville. Given his involvement in episode 5's destructive events, he won't be on any of the townsfolks' Christmas card lists. Stripped of his ring and identity, though, I'm fascinated to learn if he's mellowed out since we last saw him and if he's learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.

As for Stewart, he seemingly departed for pastures new after walking away from becoming Earth's next Green Lantern. So, where is he now? And what's he been doing for the last decade?

If the DCU Chapter One TV show takes cues from his comic book history, I suspect he'll not only return to his artistry-based roots, but he'll have also turned his number one passion into a career and become a successful architect. Additionally, I'm willing to be bet he's settled down in one of DC's famous fictional cities, such as Metropolis, rather than back at home where he'll likely have incurred the wrath of his pushy parents. Hey, they won't be happy that he turned his back on his (read: their) Green Lantern dream!

Of course, we know Stewart will be pulled back to Rushville not after Jordan is mysteriously killed (more on this later) but, as Lanterns' midseason trailer confirms, prior to his death. I imagine that his architectural career will last as long as his military one did, then, once he starts to investigate Jordan's death.

2. Why is there a Green Lantern beacon in the center of Rushville?

Another thing teased in Lanterns' episode 6 preview was the unexpected appearance of a Green Lantern beacon in the center of Rushville.

Considering the disdain that its residents have for Stewart and Jordan, why would they erect something like this in their town? Or, more likely, did Guy Gardner — aka the DCU's current human Green Lantern — install it, and why was he allowed to (if at all) by Rushville's community? Furthermore, is its design supposed to poke fun at a certain Gotham City vigilante's own light-based signal?

Gardner is finally set to appear in the HBO Max TV show in this week's episode, so I'm sure we'll get answers from him — or someone else — shortly.

3. Who killed Hal Jordan...

One of the biggest unresolved mysteries at the heart of this season's 2026 storyline, we need answers — or, at the very least, clues — about who apparently murdered Hal Jordan.

Frankly, I don't think we'll find out who did the deed in this week's episode. Lanterns' final three chapters will largely revolve around this whodunit, so I highly doubt we'll learn the culprit's identity until the season finale.

Nonetheless, there are myriad potential candidates. In my view, Bill Macon is an obvious choice. There's also an increasingly popular theory circulating online that Noah was responsible. Then there's the possibility that Jordan was killed by someone we haven't met yet.

Hopefully, 'Bad Optics' will start to thin out the crowd of would-be murderers. That is, unless Jordan isn't actually as dead as we've been led to believe...

4. ...and is he really dead?

Ever since Jordan's death was revealed in Lanterns episode 1, some viewers have refused to accept that he's actually shuffled off this mortal coil. After last week's episode, they might have a point, too.

Indeed, the above screenshot, which quickly made the rounds online following episode 5's release, appears to indicate that the Jordan we've followed through Lanterns' 2016 storyline is a clone. That much appears to be clear by the subtitles in the aforementioned screengrab.

Now, it's entirely possible that, during the post-production process, someone made a mistake with these subtitles and the error wasn't picked up before episode 5 was completed. If that's the case, this isn't a Jordan clone, which would mean he's dead and gone.

On the other hand, if this is a clone, it would imply that the Hal-O-Gram — ie the digital backup of Jordan's consciousness, which lives inside his ring — is the real Jordan, and would mean he's technically still alive. That would be a huge twist that very, very few people would have seen coming.

Again, it's likely this won't be revealed until Lanterns episode 8, so I don't anticipate a definitive answer will be given when 'Bad Optics' premieres on some of the world's best streaming services. At any rate, I hope we'll get a hint or two that Jordan might yet be alive. If nothing else, it'll keep fans guessing for a couple more weeks.

What happened to Hal Jordan's Green Lantern ring?

With Jordan no longer being in possession of his ring, and Stewart giving it back to the Guardian of the Universe known as Lianna in episode 5, where is it now?

The logical answer is it was gifted to Gardner when he became Earth's latest Green Lantern. However, some fans have pointed out that there slight differences between Jordan and Gardner's rings, which suggests that the latter has a different one to his predecessor.

If Gardner's ring is a different one, it begs the question: who's got Jordan's ring now? Jordan doesn't have it, because Stewart checks his former mentor's right hand for the cosmic weapon and quickly realizes that Jordan isn't wearing it.

So, was it stolen by whoever apparently killed Jordan? Has Jordan locked it away somewhere safe, such as the pocket universe-based vault that Jordan kept his Lantern battery in back in Coast City? Or did the Guardians keep it once Stewart gave it back to them? All could be revealed very soon.

For now, find out why recent comments made by the head of HBO have got me fearing the worst about Lanterns season 2.