The Lanterns Finale Reveals Who Killed Hal Jordan, And It's Even More Tragic Than Expected

John Johnson/HBO Max

Killing off Hal Jordan at the beginning of "Lanterns" was a major twist and, unsurprisingly, proved to be contentious to say the least. DC Studios co-head James Gunn even addressed what might be the most controversial decision yet in the still-burgeoning DC Universe. While many fans of the character have held out hope for his revival, it seems he is well and truly dead. Now, we know who pulled the trigger: his one and only love, Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald).

"Lanterns" has thrown out red herrings left and right in the last few episodes, with Episode 7 suggesting that Hal might have been responsible for his own death. Even the finale couldn't help but deliver yet another misdirect, initially having Noah Macon (Shea Pritchard) confess to pulling the trigger. After John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) questions Thaal Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), he discovers that Noah is, in fact, a Manhunter and has been plotting to take revenge on the Guardians of the Universe for the death of his grandmother and fellow Manhunter Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan). It turns out it was Noah who broke Sinestro out of space prison in order to use his powers to take revenge on the Guardians.

Later, Noah tells John that he killed Hal due to Hal having discovered his plan to take revenge on the Guardians. Noah couldn't risk Hal telling his mom, Sheriff Kane, so he claims to have killed him. But it turns out he was just covering for his mom, who actually shot Hal in what was essentially an act of desperation to save her son. That would be sad enough given what we know about Hal and Kerry's relationship, but with what we learn in the finale, it becomes downright tragic.

John Johnson/HBO Max

"Lanterns" Episode 7 shed a disturbing light on Hal Jordan's death by suggesting he died by suicide due to suffering from the same depression as his father and grandfather. But in the finale, all is revealed, and it's somehow even worse.

Flashbacks confirm that Hal followed Noah Macon and discovered his plan to enact revenge on the Guardians. Hal then met Kerry Kane at the high school football field and told her all about it. He suggests leaving to Guadalajara in order to keep Kerry and Noah Macon safe, but she refuses. "This isn't just about you," he urges. "Listen to me, people are in danger, Noah's in danger." Kerry becomes overwhelmed before turning and firing a single shot — presumably because she doesn't want Hal telling anyone else about Noah's true identity. Just as she pulls the trigger, Hal gets out four final words: "Goddamit, I love you."

It would have been pretty rough had Hal Jordan been shot by his own girlfriend. But given the fact this man has struggled to connect with anybody throughout the entirety of "Lanterns," and only managed to forge a meaningful relationship with Kerry, it's so much harder to take. And that's leaving his gut-wrenching final words aside. Kerry was the only person who loved Hal, and multiple flashbacks in the finale reveal that the two really did form a close bond following Hal's release from prison. Her decision to shoot him was impulsive and done to protect her son. But for fans of the show who've thus far been disappointed with how the writers have treated Hal Jordan, this unavoidably tragic death might just be a step too far.