The Lanterns Finale Explains Why There Are Multiple Green Lanterns From Earth

This article contains spoilers for "Lanterns" Season 1, Episode 8, "Dirt and Stars."

The first season of "Lanterns" has come to a close. This was an ambitious gamble on behalf of DC Studios, a show set in the same universe and continuity as "Superman," building up to John Stewart appearing in "Man of Tomorrow," that also introduced one of the biggest and most complex corners of the DC Universe. Rather than attempt to make a massive space-set show on a budget, "Lanterns" takes a "True Detective" approach and focuses on an investigation that deeply rocks its two leads, centering on character rather than action or even worldbuilding.

Not to say that "Lanterns" doesn't reference or touch on the larger Green Lantern world, of course. The show references Mogo and also Ch'p, while repeatedly teasing Sinestro's Yellow Lantern Corps and other-colored lanterns.

This is to say, "Lanterns" is a show that simultaneously offers a self-contained and satisfying story separate from the rest of the DCU, while also very much connecting to a larger tapestry that can reference the events of this show and impact what's to come. Take, for instance, the character of John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), who is set to appear in "Man of Tomorrow" as the Green Lantern.

We already have a Green Lantern in charge of Sector 2814 (to which Earth belongs) — Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), who was first introduced in "Superman" as the Green Lantern of Earth. Given how "Lanterns" makes it very, very clear that there can only be one active Green Lantern in a sector at any time, it stands to reason that Guy and John cannot have the ring at the same time, yet here we are.

Well, the "Lanterns" Season 1 finale gives us an answer as to how there are multiple Green Lanterns on Earth: Technically, there won't be.

After resolving the matter of the murder of Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), John Stewart decides he will actually take the Power Ring and the powers it contains in order to keep an eye on Noah Macon (Shea Pritchard), who also happens to be a Manhunter with the power to destroy humanity. John will therefore become a Lantern to watch over Noah and take him down if necessary.

So John calls on Guy Gardner, and essentially threatens/coerces Guy into informing the Guardians of the Universe that John will be taking over the role of Earth's Lanterns and watching over the planet. Guy will keep an eye on the rest of Sector 2814 and get to go on fun space adventures with the other Lanterns like Kilowog (the best Lantern), while John will keep Earth and all its boring little problems. That way, there is still only one Green Lantern on Earth, but both of them can keep their jobs and appear in future DC Universe titles.

Yes, it's a technicality, but that's the bread and butter of "Green Lantern" comics. From who can wear a Power Ring to how a wearer is chosen to how many Lanterns there are, technicalities are often the name of the game. This makes John's decision to forgo the traditional Green Lantern oath and organization to become "an independent contractor" a very fitting choice that reflects the spirit of the comics, where people exit the Corps and create their own organizations all the time.

We now have two Earth-born Lanterns that can appear at any time in future DC Universe titles, with Guy taking the space adventures while John becomes the face of the Lanterns on Earth in the main movies and TV shows. Everyone wins (except for poor, dead Hal).