Entertainment
‘Lanterns’ Officially Reveals the Guardians’ Greater Plan for John Stewart
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 3.
If you were hoping that this week’s Lanterns would pick up right where last episode’s cliffhanger left off, making good on that highly anticipated face-off between Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), think again. Instead, the third episode of the HBO series, titled “OutKast,” travels back in time to John Stewart’s (Aaron Pierre) complicated (to say the least) upbringing. The previous episode almost overemphasized John’s importance, and this week is entirely devoted to the same. Yes, the past is prologue, but how much of that past is necessary for Lanterns to include? Perhaps that depends on the viewer.
‘Lanterns’ Episode 3 Dives into John Stewart’s Origin Story
This episode begins in 2016, only a few months before “Pilot.” John Stewart falls onto a bunch of mattresses littered on the floor of an abandoned shopping mall. Signs lead him to the makeshift office of a Guardian of the Universe (Laura Linney). She tells him to wait inside, and that she’ll be back, so John waits until the next morning when she returns. “I was told to wait,” he says, when she notes that he hasn’t moved, reminding us that John simply does what he is told. But here’s where things get interesting. When John inquires about why he’s being interviewed for the job — and he’s seemingly not the only one, by the way — rather than being chosen by the ring, the Guardian reveals that it’s due to the death of one of their kind.
“OutKast” doesn’t give us time to dwell on the “what ifs,” even if that’s exactly what John’s father, John Sr. (J. Alphonse Nicholson), does. The episode flashes back to years ago, on the night when John Sr. was considered to become a Green Lantern. While an infant John lies awake in his crib, his father is terrified by the bubble of green energy that envelops him, admitting his fear before it departs for good. It isn’t long after that that Hal Jordan begins to actively patrol the Earth, causing John Sr. — enraged and slowly losing his mind after the experience — to shoot the television in anger, disgust, and depression. Nobody believes that he could have had the ring himself, not even his wife Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones). After she kicks her husband out of the house for the risk he poses to their children, she’s met by the aforementioned Guardian, who apologizes for any distress they may have caused John Sr. before revealing her true form.
“Whatever the ring saw in your husband is in his genetic makeup,” the Guardian eventually notes, offering Bernadette a chance to raise her son to be fearless — to be the next Green Lantern. This isn’t how Green Lanterns are usually chosen, and from what we can tell, this takes place long before Sinestro’s coup. Thus, it appears that (as usual) the Guardians have some sort of agenda. Back in 2016, John tells the Guardian that he became a Marine to get this “job interview” in the first place before recounting his last mission, which began almost a year earlier. When John meets with his commanding officer, he learns that a threat to national security, a target codenamed “Grey Wolf” (who doesn’t appear to be related to the DC Comics character), is almost impossible to track — save for his preferred personal retreat in Russia. John is the third Marine to be tasked with this mission after the other two failed, but he agrees to go behind enemy lines without hesitation.
‘Lanterns’ Reveals John’s Upbringing Was More Complicated Than We Thought
It’s here where “OutKast” begins to get really intense. After meeting the Guardian, Bernadette confronts her husband and informs him that their other sons, Aaron and Marcus, already know fear, but baby John is a blank slate. They vow to condition their son not to know fear with the ultimate goal of training him to become a Green Lantern candidate. “He’s going to hate us,” John Sr. tells his wife. “So be it,” Bernadette replies. At John’s (Cairo Cash Lee) fifth birthday party, his parents gift him a Green Lantern uniform (one akin to the character’s classic comic book appearance) and tell him about his destiny. They explain to John that the Guardians send birds to watch over him (which explains his construct in the last episode). “They want us to make sure that you’re fearless,” Bernadette says. “You can’t worry about anybody but yourself.” They also give him a rifle when the poor boy just wanted crayons!
Back in 2016 (give or take), John embarks on his mission to hunt and apprehend “Grey Wolf.” Though he is injured while parachuting into Russia, he cauterizes his wound and sets up surveillance on the target. Nine months pass during John’s stakeout. Back in the interview, the Guardian inquires about why John was discharged from the Marines. He reveals he was dishonorably discharged — not because he couldn’t follow an order (he stuck around for nearly a year!), but because he failed to complete the mission. At first, the Guardian replies by asking what John knows about Sinestro, but the conversation quickly pivots to Hal Jordan. “Sinestro was Jordan’s teacher, a father figure,” the Guardian reveals, though she believes that Jordan’s continued affection for Sinestro is troubling.
Speaking of parental figures, the Guardian then inquires if John resents his own parents due to his rigorous upbringing. He tells her that “rigorous” comes with the territory, and what we see next begins to unpack that a little. Remember that scene in “Pilot” where John Sr. shot an apple off young John’s head? Well, Lanterns flashes back to John’s youth to reveal that the whole thing was his idea in the first place, an idea that Bernadette pushed her husband to entertain. After the test is successful, his father takes him to get a cheeseburger. This scene is bookended by another question by the Guardian, who asks if he loves his parents. John responds in the affirmative, adding that he’s entirely confident that he will get the job as the next Green Lantern.
In another flashback, it’s emphasized that young John and his brothers don’t exactly get along. They grew up in the same home, but John was raised quite differently from Marcus and Aaron. In some respects, he’s something of an outcast, and to drive that idea home, his brothers get him to sing along to OutKast’s “ATLiens” from the backseat of the family car. What seems like a bonding moment at first adopts a more somber note when one of his brothers likens John’s pronunciation to a “white boy named Henry,” and then the car stops in a rough neighborhood, where John’s parents force him to get out and walk the rest of the way home for the sake of his “training.” When he gets home, Bernadette has been waiting for him, but leaves before the boy breaks down, refusing to comfort her son.
“OutKast” Reveals the Real Reason Behind John Stewart’s Tension with Hal Jordan
As John tells the Guardian, “Humans are not programmed, we’re raised,” though the alien doesn’t understand the distinction. John insists that there is one, but in his case, that may be a stretch. As a boy, John watched his mother go crazy, wondering about the Guardians and their lack of response. She believes it must be due to John’s fear, but the boy calls the birds liars, insisting that he’s not afraid. So, his mother turns the tables on him the next time he fearlessly survives another apple-on-the-head target shoot. Instead, she wants John to shoot an apple off her husband. Unsurprisingly, John can’t do it — how has nobody called the cops after years of backyard target practice? “Guess the birds aren’t liars, after all,” his mother tells him. That evening, Bernadette tells John that loving his dad isn’t something to be ashamed of. “It’s normal not to want to hurt the people you love,” she says before admitting that she made the bird thing up. It turns out that the Guardians don’t answer at all. In her mind, she insists they’re giving John the gift of privilege that Hal Jordan has. Inspired by his mother’s emotional manipulations, John tries again, successfully shooting an apple off her head instead.
This whole time, John has been dancing around what got him discharged from the Marines in the first place, but the Guardian insists he talk about it. As it turns out, “Grey Wolf” arrives after John has been scoping out the retreat for nine months, but before he can pull the trigger and complete his mission, Green Lantern arrives, destroys the entire compound, and leaves with the target. As John later discovers, apprehending “Grey Wolf” had all been a lucky break on Jordan’s part, but John is forced to take the fall for the international incident. John speaks with his mother afterward and is frustrated that everything he worked for is gone. However, she’s applied to art school on his behalf: “The path hasn’t changed; this is just a detour.” At art school, John is eventually sought out for a very special project: the Green Lantern Corps. After sketching the building they’re in to prove his imaginative power, John is asked to use a Green Lantern ring to create a replica of his father’s watch. When he succeeds, the events are set in motion for his interview, bringing the episode full circle.
The Guardian asks John whether Hal’s actions have caused him to harbor ill will toward the current Green Lantern. As it turns out, the Guardians have asked Hal to stop using his abilities to interfere in terrestrial affairs, and he wasn’t following orders when he captured “Grey Wolf,” after all. “Would you be comfortable replacing Hal Jordan?” she asks. John replies that if those are his orders, it doesn’t matter if he’s comfortable with it. When he heads home to share the good news with his folks, Hal is already sitting at the kitchen table, spoiling the surprise. It’s all good at first, but when Hal and John are alone, the Green Lantern insists that he doesn’t want a sidekick or a backup: “The only way you’re going to get this ring is over my dead body.”
New episodes of Lanterns air on HBO and HBO Max every Sunday.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Directors
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James Hawes
Pros & Cons
- Aaron Pierre really shines in this episode as we begin to understand the complexities of John’s feelings toward Hal Jordan.
- The whole episode (in particular each time shift) is well-paced, which can be difficult to do properly in stories like these.
- This episode breaks up the momentum after last episode’s exciting cliffhanger.
- Longtime DC fans may not love the direction Lanterns is taking with John Stewart, especially as it makes Hal Jordan out to be the orchestrator of all his personal and familial turmoil.
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Adult content creator Bonnie Blue has officially welcomed her first child.
Blue’s rep confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 30, that she is “doing well” after giving birth to a baby. Blue (real name Tia Billinger) shared a black-and-white video via Instagram on Sunday that chronicled her pregnancy as well as labor and delivery.
In the clip, Blue shared a video outside of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London — the same hospital where Princess Kate Middleton gave birth to all three of her children with husband Prince William.
At the end of the video, Blue smiled as she seemingly held a baby — who was blurred out — in her arms. She also shared a photo of her holding up a blurred-out child in the hospital bed.
Former OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue has been making headlines for her alleged pregnancy — mainly, whether or not it is actually real. Blue (real name Tia Billinger) claimed in February that she was pregnant weeks after having unprotected sex with 400 men as part of her “breeding mission.” In March, Blue admitted that the entire […]
“And then there were 1058 of us 💙,” Blue captioned the video.
Blue made headlines in February when she claimed she was pregnant after having unprotected sex with 400 men as part of her “breeding mission.” The following month, Blue participated in her annual spring break event and posted a video wrapped in a towel while wearing a bikini — at which point fans seemed to spot an alleged silicone bump in her midsection. Later that month, Blue admitted that her pregnancy was a stunt.
In May, Blue shared that she was pregnant. Creator Tommy Lee, who was present at one of Blue’s events about a week after her “breeding” stunt, shared in June that he had been wondering about the paternity of her baby.
“I don’t think anything really sinks in until proven. But it’s still a big worry in the back of your mind, thinking about what do you do if it is,” Lee exclusively told Us. “It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, I think about it, but you just don’t know what can you say? I don’t think there’s anything you can do. That’s it, really.”
One year prior, Blue — who separated from estranged husband Oliver “Ollie” Davidson in 2023 — exclusively told Us that she had struggled with her fertility in the past.
“I tried to get pregnant for years with my ex-partner and really, really struggled and I’d have to go down the IVF route,” she said at the time. “So I wish I could say I might get pregnant, however, I’m not in that position where I can fall pregnant naturally.”
To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of “competitive sex” and other explicit OnlyFans content — read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us here.
Sammy Harper and Jonathan Harrold’s Love Is Blind: UK season 3 romance was left on the cutting room floor — but that didn’t stop the pair from giving fans a candid update on their lives.
“The year no one saw. We got engaged on Love Is Blind, but our journey didn’t make it onto your screens,” Sammy, 33, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 28. “Twelve months, approximately 847 lies about how we met and apparently we forgot to break up 😂. Anyway … hi from your unseen couple of Love Is Blind UK S3. Surprise x 💍.”
Sammy and Jonathan, 32, were among the contestants on the third season of Love Is Blind: UK, where they found a romantic connection sight unseen. The pair’s engagement — Sammy only met Jonathan in person after accepting his proposal — was not chronicled on the hit reality TV dating experiment.
In an Instagram timeline of their love story, Sammy revealed on Friday that she and Jonathan were left to figure out their future without cameras around. They first met in September 2025, soon navigating a long-distance relationship while “living [on] opposite sides of the country.”
By February, Sammy revealed that “s*** got serious” with her pod fiancé.
“We got Poddy, our Love Is Blind puppy, because apparently getting engaged after two weeks wasn’t enough commitment,” she wrote. “Our little family officially began. … This started to feel like real life. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling like two people who met on Love Is Blind. Suddenly, it was less ‘experiment’ and more ‘whose turn is it to pick up the dog s***.’ Turns out, we quite liked our very un-TV-worthy little life.”
Sammy found out in April, on Jonathan’s birthday to be exact, that she was pregnant. She suffered a pregnancy loss two months later.
“We lost our baby to a silent miscarriage, and honestly, we really struggled,” Sammy recalled of her experience. “Grieving whilst still living [on] opposite sides of the country was one of the hardest things we’ve had to face together.”
According to Sammy, July became their “bounce back” era as she underwent a breast augmentation while Jonathan had a hair transplant.
“A few really tough weeks prior, but slowly we started to feel like ourselves again,” she said. “It brought us closer than ever. Still randomly tearing up over the future we’d got so excited for, but finding our way forward together.”
Love Is Blind: UK season 3 featured — spoiler alert — four weddings and two pre-altar breakups between the other reality TV couples. They will come face to face in the reunion special, which drops on Netflix Sunday, August 30, at 4 p.m. ET.
Eva Mendes has opened up about a tattoo inked on her wrist in honor of her husband, Ryan Gosling.
“It’s the only one I have, the only one I’ve ever wanted,” Mendes, 52, wrote in response to a fan who shared praise for the actress’ body art, which was visible in a Sunday, August 30, Instagram carousel posted by the actress.
In her series of black-and-white images, the Hitch star, who is believed to have quietly married Gosling, 45, in 2022, holds her arm up to the camera from the back seat of a car. Scrawled upon her wrist are the words “de Gosling,” which translates to “of Gosling” in Hispanic culture. (Mendes boasts Cuban-American heritage.)
Mendes first flaunted the tattoo via social media in September 2022, but never addressed the tribute publicly. At the time, Mendes had also not confirmed that she was married to Gosling, sparking speculation about the status of their romance. While the pair, who met while filming 2013’s The Place Beyond the Pines, had already become parents to two daughters, Esme, 11, and Amada, 10, the tattoo reveal had fans convinced that the couple were married.
In November 2022, Mendes appeared to confirm the news during an interview with Australia’s Today show. “Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband, Ryan, is here, and we are having the best time,” she told the show’s hosts at the time as Gosling’s work took him Down Under to film The Fall Guy.
For Gosling’s part, the Barbie actor has also publicly shared tributes to Mendes over the years. While promoting 2023’s Barbie, the actor wore a necklace with an E pendant in signature white-and-pink Barbie font. In June that year, Entertainment Tonight asked him what the letter stood for, to which he replied, “Eva.”
The couple took part in their most public show of affection earlier this year when Gosling was a guest star on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. During his time on the show, Gosling invited Mendes out on-stage to enjoy a surprise 52nd birthday tribute. “It is Eva’s birthday today. She is here,” Gosling told the audience, which was full of teachers to celebrate his role as one in his film Hail Mary. “You have no idea how much she loves teachers. Loves you so much. She has her hall monitor sash still from when she was a kid. She hangs it proudly in the house.”
A producer then walked Mendes out from a green room to join Gosling as a marching band played “Happy Birthday” to her. Delighted by Gosling’s surprise, Mendes gripped his hand throughout the appearance before kissing him on the cheek.
Dolly Parton’s family mourned the country icon’s death in an intimate memorial service on Friday, August 28.
“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Parton’s niece Lainey wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 29, mourning her beloved aunt’s death while confirming she was laid to rest. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Days later on Friday, her relatives were spotted arriving at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum for the funeral. (Parton was buried beside her beloved husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.)
“Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her,” Lainey recalled. “Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]
She continued, “As I got older, she continued to believe in me. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else. She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”
According to Lainey, “it still doesn’t feel real” that Parton died despite attending her burial service.
“I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”
She concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”
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There are major events in a woman’s life that can cause a huge hormonal shift. Even so, it might be surprising to notice when hair starts to shed or thin during postpartum, perimenopause and menopause. Maelove formulated an advanced scalp serum particularly for these stages, and results are noticeable in as little as 30 days.
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Just a few minutes each day is all it takes to be on your way to thicker, healthier hair. Maelove recommends filling the dropper and applying it to a damp or dry scalp. Massage the product into your scalp, focusing on the areas with the most thinning. That’s it! Don’t rinse — and no, you won’t have to worry about a greasy scalp or strands.
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Carmen Electra embraced every inch of her nutritious breakfast while visiting the European city of Berlin.
The model, 54, shared an Instagram carousel on Friday, August 28, that captured her playfully indulging in a spread of fruits while soaking up the sunshine. “Breakfast in Berlin,” she captioned the post, which opened with a shot of herself topless while placing pineapple slices over her bust.
Further snaps from the racy shoot showed her with a plate of sliced watermelon, strawberries and other vivid fruits as she posed for the camera seductively. A video also showed her biting into a banana before one final image showed her bending over a chair to show off her derriere in a blue thong.
The shoot was likely staged in July when Electra visited Berlin as the guest of honor at Bellucci Berlin’s “La Grande Bellezza” summer party. A July 15 Instagram carousel showed Electra posing with a lollipop on a graffiti-filled street that she tagged in the German city. “How many licks does it take?” she captioned the post, which also included a video of herself twirling the sweet around the inside of her mouth.
Fans took to the Baywatch alum’s latest Berlin post to share praise, with one follower writing, “Still the most gorgeous,” and another writing, “Look as good as ever, maybe even better!”
Electra often flaunts her killer physique via risque social media posts, including the September 2025 Instagram carousel that captured her posing for sexy snaps in her living room. Proving there’s always opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot, the star sported a black zip-up corset that laced up the back, skimpy Daisy Duke shorts, fishnet stockings and knee-high suede stiletto boots.
In the post, the swimwear model posed seductively and blew kisses at the camera.
From Alix Earle’s washboard abs to Bethenny Frankel’s cheeky moment, stars dared to bare during Miami Swim Week. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Deal of […]
Electra, who rose to fame as lifeguard Lani McKenzie on the original iteration of Baywatch between 1997 and 1998, recently spoke to Us about Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot. Discussing one of the series’ new stars Brooks Nader, Electra stressed the need to maintain peak physical fitness to nail the role. “Basically [I] said, ‘Just be ready. Make sure that you’re in your top physical shape,’” she told Us on August 6 before adding that “running in the sand, diving over [and] jumping over waves, diving into the water” isn’t as easy as it sounds.
“You’re going to be coming out of the water, looking into the camera, and they’re going to say, ‘Don’t close your eyes.’ And your eyes are going to be burning,” she recalled telling Nader, 29. Despite the saltwater potentially affecting one’s vision, Electra reiterated that Nader will need to “open those beautiful eyes, and [she’s] going to need to look gorgeous coming out of that water, and you know the slow-motion run.”
Electra’s Baywatch series premiered on NBC in 1989 and focused on California lifeguards — with David Hasselhoff at the helm — who saved lives as beachgoers swam, encountered sharks and came up against the odd serial killer.
Freida Parton is honoring sister Dolly Parton after the country music star’s death at age 80.
“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida, 69, wrote via Facebook on Saturday, August 29. “I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”
She continued, “Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”
Freida recalled asking her followers to pray for Dolly months prior, and again asked her fans to “please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss.”
UPDATE — 10/8/25, 3 a.m. ET: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida clarified her comments asking fans to pray for the singer in a new Facebook post late Tuesday, October 7. “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. […]
“There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well,” Freida wrote. “I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.”
Freida continued, “I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honor. It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too. Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. .”
She signed the message, “All My Love, Freida.”
Dolly died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Dolly’s niece confirmed that she has since been buried beside her husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]
“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey Parton wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”
In the tribute, Lainey shared that she was treated like a child of Dolly’s and recalled the late country music icon financially supporting her through school.
“It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Lainey wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”
She concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always. 🤍.”
Entertainment
‘Lanterns’ Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre Break Down Episode 3 and the DC Show’s Major Timelines
Editor’s note: The below interview contains light spoilers for Lanterns Episode 3.
HBO’s Lanterns is well underway after a premiere that seems to be holding major consequences for the greater DCU under James Gunn. Yet, in the wake of two episodes that have both emphasized the stakes in Rushville, Nebraska, circa 2016, and a separate shocking incident ten years later, this week’s “OutKast” jumps away from both ongoing mysteries in favor of delving into the backstory of one John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). It’s a character-focused hour that not only explains his family’s complicated ties to the Green Lanterns but also their connection to the mysterious Guardians of the Universe — and it definitely confirms why John might be carrying more than a little personal resentment toward Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) even while being teed up to replace him.
Ahead of the Lanterns premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several members of the cast and creative team, including Chandler and Pierre. Below, the series’ leading stars discuss the complications of filming the show’s two major timelines, Episode 3’s spotlight on John’s history, the Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) scene that got unexpectedly personal for Chandler, and more.
COLLIDER: Kyle, in the very first episode, the story introduces more than one version of Hal Jordan, and so from your perspective, what did you enjoy about getting to explore the character at two different stages of life and defining experiences?
KYLE CHANDLER: Well, first of all, I got a paycheck. Second of all, craft service was really good.
AARON PIERRE: It was. It was excellent. Shout out to Chance.
CHANDLER: Third of all, I get to work with this dude. Nah, let’s move that one. The producers and the writers are great people. Fourth of all, this guy. It was just another dynamic to it. You’ve already got a non-linear show, we’re block shooting it, I’m playing two characters with a decade between the two of them, and what have you. There was just a lot to do through the whole thing, and my guy is such a full character that you get to take a look at him when he was a little bit more squared away, back in the day. Also, I get to make fun of everyone, even myself. So, it was fun. It was a great experience to play all of this.
And I’ll say tonight we’re going to the premiere, and we get to see people actually sit in a theater and watch it with us and see what they do. I’m really excited. We’re really excited for that.
I can’t imagine seeing it on the big screen. I’m sure it’s going to be phenomenal.
CHANDLER: Right? With people in the seats.
Aaron, Episode 3, in particular, is a really character-focused installment of the show for John, and I was wondering how the show really digging into both John’s past and his relationships with his family helped you develop a better understanding of who this guy is.
PIERRE: Enormously, enormously. I’ve spoken about this a number of times today. I think for me, witnessing that episode come together was one of the most rewarding experiences and joyful experiences. I’ve said it a number of times today, but the young artists who portray young John and his siblings, I really hope that they get appropriately championed, and I really hope they get acknowledged for their exemplary work, because they hit those emotional beats. They hit those demanding dialogue scenes with such an ease and such a truth, and such a presence. I’m really proud of them, and I hope people recognize the quality of their work.
It informed massively how I engage with John in 2016, 2026, and beyond. As an actor, it’s always a gift. The more information, the better. Of course, there reaches a point where you have to set it free, and you have to just be present, but in the research and development process, the more information, the better — the more to excavate, the more to explore. And then, just by osmosis and a lot of hard work, it just finds its way into every large to minuscule interaction you have, to the point where you can improvise and know exactly what your character would or wouldn’t do, and that’s the point that we both got to that we really enjoyed. That’s when it was the most fun.
Kyle Chandler Explains Why That Sinestro Scene in ‘Lanterns’ Became “Very Personal”
“There were emotional feelings going through my character that me, as an actor doing that scene, wouldn’t have expected when we started doing it…”
Watching these first seven episodes, I was really impressed by how much history the show is able to really pack in for both of your characters. Kyle, Hal’s relationship with Sinestro is one of the show’s most complicated dynamics, and you have some really great scenes with Ulrich [Thomsen]. I was interested in hearing your perspective on how that dynamic, as well as Hal’s relationship with his own father, really informs his arguably very unorthodox mentorship and how he then, in turn, engages with John.
CHANDLER: Well, I don’t want to sound too goofy, and I probably will. As you’re doing these scenes, a lot of times a scene can be about this, but in here you’re thinking that, and it helps you get to a different place — and no one has to know this. The audience doesn’t need to know what one’s thinking. But I’ll just say right now that the missing father and Sinestro and the two came together when we were doing that scene, after many iterations of it. To be quite honest, there were emotional feelings going through my character that me, as an actor doing that scene, wouldn’t have expected when we started doing it, and it just became a very personal scene.
Because when you look at the dialogue going into that scene, I think both of us… Well, I won’t speak for him, but I was thinking, “What am I going to do with this dialogue? How am I going to personalize this?” And it happened naturally, and it happened through acting. I won’t call myself a good actor, but it happened that day. It was really fulfilling. It wasn’t a fun scene, it was a fulfilling scene afterwards. So, if I’m right about what you’re talking about, someone else mentioned that, if for any reason, from my part, what was going on, that’s what was happening. It was personal. It’s a personal moment.
‘Lanterns’ Aaron Pierre Reveals That John Stewart Is a “Volcano” Set To Erupt
“John is, in equal measure, as you said, precise and direct, but also internally volatile…”
Aaron, we get a lot of different sides, different facets of John that are revealed through the story. Not only is he a former sniper, but we also see his side as an architect. He’s got this eye for detail. Both things really stuck out to me as being wrapped around precision. What did that really help shape for you in terms of the investigative skills that he’s going to bring to the table in his partnership with Hal, especially while they’re looking into that mystery in Rushville?
PIERRE: That’s an excellent question, by the way. Thank you for that. For me, what it informed the most was how I was going to explore and devise and design this dichotomy that exists within him. John is, in equal measure, as you said, precise and direct, but also internally volatile, and a volcano on the verge of erupting and devastating everything around it. So, that’s what it informed.
Actually, the more precise I discovered John was and the more accurate he was, the more volatile I also discovered he was. You don’t have light without darkness, and that was a thing for me. I wanted to work with that. The moments when the precision came out — when was that appropriate, and when did that feel like it was most sincere and genuine? And the moments where that other side of him presented itself, when did that feel most authentic and genuine, as well?
I think there’s a lot more, even outside of the context of the eight hours that we have the opportunity to spend with John, to discover in even more depth what that is, because we do go from 2016 to 2026. What does it look like when there is maybe a time jump, and we get to really live with him day to day in that truth?
But it was just a joy. Just a joy. Kyle speaks about it a lot, just as an actor, to get these words and this language, these characters on the page, you really can’t take it for granted. You really mustn’t, so we didn’t, and we had a blast.
CHANDLER: Good on you, too. You know how I say you’re disciplined all the time? When I say that, I mean, you do have disciplined things in your life, but to be disciplined, to stay as still as you are in this, for an actor, it’s not easy, at least for certain actors. I mean, you have to discipline yourself to stay within that realm of stillness to have the energy you’re talking about, and you don’t see many actors who can do that as well as you did.
I can only echo those sentiments.
CHANDLER: He gave me $5 for that!
PIERRE: I’m going to buy him popcorn at the premiere.
New episodes of Lanterns premiere Sundays on HBO.
Dolly Parton’s niece Lainey Parton is reflecting on their relationship after confirming the country music icon was laid to rest following her death at 80.
“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 29, revealing her aunt was buried a day prior. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.
She continued, “Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her. Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
After recalling a moment when Dolly asked her to sing on the Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables album, Lainey shared that the singer “continued to believe in me.”
“When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else,” Lainey said. “She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.”
She continued, “I’m so thankful I said yes to the opportunities and memories I got to share with her as my Aunt Dolly, including being in a movie with her. I’m so glad I have those moments to look back on now. I have things I can watch, hear, and hold onto when I miss her.”
Lainey shared that it “doesn’t feel real” that Dolly died, sharing that she will miss the singer’s voice, laugh, hugs and “just knowing she was there.”
“I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Lainey wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know.”
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver paid tribute to his late aunt while confirming her death at the age of 80 in a sentimental video. “I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip posted to Parton’s Instagram account on Tuesday, […]
Lainey concluded, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always. 🤍.”
News broke on Tuesday, August 25, that Dolly died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. At the time, Dolly’s rep shared that the family asked for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” read a statement from her rep. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
The statement continued, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
The singer was buried beside her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.
Mississippi mayor Ken Adams is sparking fierce online debate after disagreeing with the White House’s decision to lower all American flags to half–mast in tribute to the late Dolly Parton.
“I want to make something clear about the recent decision to lower the flags for Dolly Parton.
First, there is no question that Dolly Parton was a great person,” Adams, the mayor of Oliver Branch, wrote via the town’s official Facebook page on Friday, August 28, addressing the presidential decision. “She brought happiness to millions of people and has done tremendous things for others throughout her life. I have nothing but respect for her. My concern is different.”
He continued, “I believe lowering the American flag to half-staff should mean something very significant. In my opinion, it should be reserved for our military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, or events that have had a tremendous impact on our country.”
Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. As “a mark of respect” for the iconic country singer and philanthropist, President Donald Trump proclaimed that the United States flag should be flown at half-staff at all public buildings until Tuesday, September 1.
As for Adams, he argued that the flag should only be lowered in specific circumstances.
“If we lower the flag every time a well-known or beloved person passes away, I believe we eventually lessen the meaning of the gesture,” he explained. “I also believe there is a role for local government in these decisions. Mississippi cities operate under Home Rule. We have locally elected officials who are responsible for making decisions for the people we represent.”
Plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of the late Dolly Parton are officially moving forward. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Friday, August 28. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit […]
Adams added, “I don’t believe that means we should disregard what the President or Governor decides. It means we have the ability to use our own judgment when appropriate. The President can make the decision for the country. The Governor can make the decision for the State of Mississippi. I believe a mayor should have the ability to make a decision for his or her city.”
While Adams stressed that he meant no disrespect to Parton and her illustrious and iconic music and philanthropic career.
“It isn’t about politics, and it certainly isn’t about saying she wasn’t a great American,” he said. “It’s simply my belief that the American flag at half-staff is one of the highest honors we can give, and I believe that honor should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes preserving the meaning of an honor means being selective about when we use it.”
Parton, who was laid to rest on Friday, is survived by her siblings, her nieces and her nephews.
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