Lanterns (2026) s01e04 Episode Script

1
(LOW DRONING HUM)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSICAL STING) ♪
HAL JORDAN:
Authorize Hal Jordan.
AUTOMATED VOICE: Access granted.
HAL: Sinestro.
THAAL SINESTRO: Hal.
HAL: Tell me what you know
about Manhunters.
SINESTRO: No hello?
No how have I been?
Hello, Sinestro,
how have you been?
Now, what the fuck do you know
about Manhunters?
If one still existed,
it'd be the second greatest threat
you're currently facing.
So, why don't you tell me
about John Stewart?
Where'd you hear that name?
SINESTRO: Around.
"Around"?
You're locked up in a cell
in the middle
of fucking nowhere.
My trainee has a trainee.
It's not unreasonable
for such seismic news
to find its way to me.
He's not my trainee.
He's a contingency plan.
A backup.
Where did
the Guardians find him?
I don't care
where they found him.
SINESTRO: I care, Hal.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Marines.
They found him in the Marines.
- And that is Earth military.
- What the fuck do you care?
You don't really believe
he's your backup, do you, Hal?
No.
SINESTRO: Then say
what he actually is.
(MUSIC SWELLS) ♪
My replacement.
(LOW BROODING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(CELL PHONE BUZZING)
Hey, Dad.
JOHN STEWART SENIOR:
They need to speak with you.
You've got 20 minutes.
Get to a pay phone
and I'll patch you in.
Um, yeah, I can't right now.
JOHN SENIOR:
What do you mean you can't?
JOHN STEWART JUNIOR:
We're working a case.
Jordan's keeping me busy.
JOHN SENIOR: Not acceptable.
I'm putting your mother on.
Hey, Bernadette,
I got our son on the phone.
(CELL PHONE CLICKS)
SINESTRO: You really will need
to kill John Stewart, though.
HAL: No.
- JOHN: Jordan?
- SINESTRO: And why not?
Because I'm not evil.
No, you're not evil.
You're just
What's that word
you're fighting?
Old.
HAL: Experienced.
They want to replace me
with Johnny Try-Hard?
It's fine with me.
The guy's too perfect anyway.
Besides that,
he's fucking boring.
Stewart, do you respect him?
I don't want to murder him,
doesn't mean I like him.
I didn't say like.
I said respect.
HAL: (SOFTLY) Well
It's obvious you don't know
anything about Manhunters,
so enjoy your solitary fucks.
SINESTRO:
Is one still alive? On Earth?
(OMINOUS MUSIC CHORD) ♪
What do you know?
SINESTRO: Manhunters
are believed to be extinct.
I know other things
about them too.
Unique aspects
of their physiology
that cannot be changed
when they take a new form.
If one were alive
on your planet,
that information
would be of great interest
to the Guardians.
Deliver the Manhunter
to the Guardians
and disgrace Stewart
in the process.
Tell me, does he speak
to the Guardians directly?
- He says he doesn't.
- And you believed him?
He found out
about the Manhunter,
he could've kept it to himself.
All he does is follow orders.
SINESTRO:
Well, then he can be controlled.
Make him believe that
you're embracing his worthiness
as your replacement.
- Is he fearless?
- He may be.
SINESTRO:
Then he will be arrogant,
overly confident,
thus blindly oblivious
to your true intent.
Is that how you fooled me?
SINESTRO:
I was never anything but myself.
My ambition was always a threat.
You simply chose not to see it.
Do not make the same mistake
with John Stewart.
(BROODING SYNTH
MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
("WALK AWAY"
BY JAMES GANG PLAYING) ♪
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Taking my time ♪
- (SONG CONTINUES OVER RADIO) ♪
- (BELL RINGING)
Trying to decide
what to do ♪
- (JOHN CLEARING THROAT)
- God damn.
(BELL RINGING)
It's that big,
green asshole's sidekick.
Hey. Uh, I need a scope.
A Schmidt & Bender,
but I'll take a Leupold
or whatever scope y'all sell
with the McMillan.
Can't sell you a scope
without a gun.
JOHN: Oh, no,
I don't want the gun.
SHOP OWNER: Well,
then you're shit out of luck.
It's a package deal.
Kind of like you and your boss.
Where is he, anyway?
Okay, I'll, uh, I'll get a rifle
and a scope, please.
Thank you.
Let me guess,
if I want the tomato,
I gotta get the ham too?
All right, thank you.
Hey.
Y'all were a blast.
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
- (WIND BLOWING)
(LOUD WHOOSH)
(METALLIC CLANG)
JOHN: Oh, come on, man.
Any sign
of our mysterious benefactor?
You can just call him
a Manhunter.
It sounds less stupid.
You think he's coming
in on that chopper.
That's why you're up here.
See if he lands
on that ranch, huh?
Couldn't see who's on board.
Would've been nice if you were here
since you can fly.
Knocked on your door,
- you weren't there.
- I was getting laid in space.
Were you worried
about me, Junior?
I was concerned
about the alien hit squad
that's gonna find us
in 36 hours if we don't deliver.
So what'd you learn
up here, anyway?
The four guard towers
on the ranch
- share the same line of sight.
- HAL: Which means what?
Well, I think it means
that there's a hidden structure
on the compound.
One that is obscured
from every vantage point,
except those guard towers,
and that's exactly where
that chopper just landed.
That building is a weenie.
What'd you say?
It's a
It's an architectural term
that Walt Disney made up
for structures on his property.
Think Sleeping Beauty's castle
at Disneyland.
Wait, wait, wait.
- You've been to Disneyland?
- JOHN: No, of course not.
They didn't let me in.
It's the happiest place
on Earth,
but they-- they said
I'd kill the vibe.
Did you just make a joke?
Look, so Walt Disney
built his parks
around the weenie,
and I'm thinking
that Macon's done the same thing
- on his compound.
- So you think the Manhunter's
- inside Macon's weenie?
- JOHN: Maybe.
I mean, the chopper's
easy to track.
It lands the same time
every day at 9:17.
No pilot would do that every day
unless it was on purpose.
It could be a decoy.
If it is a decoy,
then maybe the Manhunter's
not even on the compound.
HAL: Just gotta get inside
to find out.
First, we gotta
find Sheriff Kane.
I gave her my word
that we'd keep her looped in.
Sheriff Kane? Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm, what?
She's married.
And unlike you, I respect
the matrimonial bond.
I believe you.
(GRUNTS)
Let's go. I'll fly us over.
How's that gonna work?
Well, I can either carry you
like a baby,
or you can hop on
and pretend like I'm a horse.
Nah, I'm good.
(TRACTOR ENGINE WHIRRING)
HAL: So, this is
your jurisdiction too, huh?
My husband owns
the bar, so yeah.
JOHN: Thought he was a lawyer.
Everybody in Rushville
multi-tasks.
Okay.
Why--
Why don't you go with this one?
Really?
How much you want me to say?
- Tell her all of it.
- Okay.
Um, so there's
an interplanetary war criminal
hiding here in Rushville.
The technical term
is a Manhunter.
Sorry.
Manhunter?
- Really?
- HAL: Uh
You remember those--
our buddies at the game.
Well, the one at the station,
he wasn't the last one.
Apparently there's a crew of 'em
here to assassinate the
well, the thing
that John just mentioned.
Show her the phone.
So one of them gave me this.
They said to call
if we find the target.
If we don't find it
by tomorrow night,
these aliens
are going to waltz into town
and they're gonna blow up.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
So what does this thing want?
HAL: We don't know,
but it's been here a while.
How is that possible?
JOHN: Well,
they can take any form.
It could be anyone
hiding here in Rushville.
So, line everyone up,
put them through
those alien detectors.
JOHN: Well, we can't do that.
Manhunters aren't alien.
They're something else.
Great.
So everybody's a threat
and we're all in danger?
If it could be anyone,
why not me?
- HAL: A long time ago
- (CELL PHONE BUZZING)
a Lantern
by the name of Abin Sur
crashed here.
We don't know why,
but there was
a Manhunter on board.
Whatever identity
that Manhunter took, well,
it wouldn't be
on the records before that.
I, uh, I looked you up.
You are from Gotham and
it's a very nice senior photo.
I get why you dropped the bangs.
So who's this Manhunter?
I'm sure you have a theory.
We think
it's Macon's benefactor.
And because your husband
is Macon's lawyer,
I'm guessing
that you know
the moneymaker's identity.
Honestly, I don't.
HAL: Come on, you're his wife.
KERRY KANE: We don't have
that kind of relationship.
I've lived here a long time,
and I've never
seen Macon's money guy.
How do you two even think
you're gonna get to him?
We think he's in a building
on the ranch.
Junior calls it a weenie,
and we're gonna
pay a visit to it.
- Okay.
- Okay, that's it?
Aliens are gonna
blow up my town.
Finding him
will stop them, right?
Right. Probably.
You're only gonna get
one shot at this.
Do not miss.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CAR LOCK BEEPS)
Hey, you think, uh,
Sheriff's gonna tell Macon
we're coming?
That would not be good.
- But you don't think she will?
- HAL: I do not.
- And that's your gut?
- My gut, always.
(SCOFFS) Okay, so now what?
Eh, we wait.
- For what?
- HAL: Nightfall.
Better to burn six hours
than die in broad daylight.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- (CARD READER BEEPS)
- (DOOR UNLOCKS, OPENS)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- Copy that.
(CARD READER BEEPS)
(WARBLING BUZZ)
(MECHANICAL HUM)
You failed to make contact.
This is disappointing.
I'm sorry.
Jordan's nearby taking a nap.
I was afraid
he'd know if I left.
What are you still doing
in Nebraska?
JOHN: We're just cleaning up
from the alien
that self-destructed.
Did Jordan tell you
where he traveled last evening?
JOHN: He said
he was having sex in space.
That's a lie.
Okay, where was he?
GUARDIAN: Violating his oath.
He went to see Sinestro.
What did they talk about?
LIANNA:
I was hoping you could tell me.
He doesn't tell me shit.
What's important
is that Jordan's actions
have accelerated the inevitable.
I've spoken
to the other Guardians.
We're in agreement.
During the course
of your training,
- Jordan gives you the ring, yes?
- Yeah.
LIANNA: The moment you put it
on your finger,
recite the oath,
and you become
Green Lantern for Sector 2814.
And that's it?
We agreed you would replace him.
JOHN: Yeah,
I just didn't realize
that you were
gonna make me do it myself.
I did not realize
that your father's weakness
runs within you.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I was promised by your mother
that that was not the case.
Your mother was wrong.
I doubted at first
when she told me
that you were strong,
and that you had integrity,
and that your makeup was sublime
and above most of the others,
that your potential
was enormous.
I hesitated,
and I should have
trusted my own instincts.
Jordan has filed
multiple reports
about your progress.
He says you lack creativity.
He says that you are too weak
to bear the massive power
of the ring.
JOHN: Well,
that's because he's old.
And he's tired.
And his time is up.
He's not worthy of
the "massive power" of the ring.
He didn't do shit to earn it.
And every time he looks at me,
he realizes
that I'll do this better
than he's ever done it before
because I've worked
my entire fucking life for it.
(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
The ring's always been mine.
That asshole's
just keeping it warm.
Then go and get it.
John Stewart.
(MECHANIC HUM)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(BANGING ON DOOR)
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
- You all right?
- Hey, listen.
I know you're probably
planning on just flying in
with your big green fist
and smashing shit
until you get to the weenie,
and I don't want to tell you
how to do your job.
- Well, then don't.
- But each of those guard towers
are going to be manned
with three sharpshooters,
and it will be your head
next time.
So, I suggest
you tunnel in from underground.
Well, how do you propose
I do that?
(PAPER RUSTLING)
Did you draw this just now?
Yeah, I'm creative.
- (PAPER RUSTLING)
- Let's go.
- (OWL HOOTING)
- (INSECTS CHIRPING)
(PAPER RUSTLING)
Here. You manifest it.
(POIGNANT MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(SCOFFS) What?
We'll call it today's lesson.
Go ahead.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Let's dig.
Yeah.
- (RING WARBLING)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
(GEARS GRINDING, WHIRRING)
HAL: "Five degrees to the left."
- How do you know all this?
- JOHN: Did some research online.
HAL: I don't buy it.
You're a Marine sniper.
Yeah, and after I was
a Marine sniper,
I went to art school.
- Who the fuck are you?
- Trying to concentrate.
Well, you should be
able to concentrate
and take personal questions
at the same time.
- Right.
- How's your mom?
She's great. How's your mom?
Dead. Cancer.
- (RING PULSES)
- (BORING MACHINE STOPS)
Jesus.
- Both your parents?
- Concentrate, will you?
- It makes it easier. No ties.
- (BORING MACHINE RESTARTS)
Oh, I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry.
My mom had a good life,
and my dad, he
died the way
he wanted to, a hero.
What was he like?
Fearless.
At least, that's what
he wanted people to think.
What was he afraid of?
(BORING MACHINE ALARM BLARES)
(BORING MACHINE POWERING DOWN)
We're here.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(DOOR HANDLE CLANKS)
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
(MUSIC FALLS) ♪
(QUIETLY) No benefactor,
but what the fuck?
These weapons are too high-tech
to be from around here.
- JOHN: Hmm.
- We were right.
- Benefactor's the Manhunter.
- Yeah.
Give me my ring.
(MECHANISM CLICKS)
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I just heard a click.
Did you just hear a click?
JOHN: Yeah.
I just heard a click.
Don't move.
It's a pressure alarm.
If you move, it'll set it off.
- A good movie.
- Great movie.
So, we just make it believe
that I'm still standing on it.
Yeah, okay.
How much do you weigh?
Uh, 185. Ish.
Okay.
(RING WARBLES)
(KETTLEBELL SCRAPES)
(GRUNTS, BREATHES DEEPLY)
Okay, we're gonna do this
at the same time.
- Three.
- (MUSIC BUILDS) ♪
JOHN: Two.
One.
(ALARM BLARING)
I did say ish.
- (ALARM BLARING)
- (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(GOGGLES CLICK, BEEP)
(WEAPONS HUM SHARPLY)
(RING WARBLES)
(MUSIC STOPS) ♪
JOHN: (LOUDLY)
Fuck! I can't see!
HAL: Do something, Junior!
For Christ's sake, use the ring!
JOHN: It's not fucking working!
- (GRUNTS)
- (TRILLING WARBLE)
(ECHOING RUMBLE)
(DOOR CREAKING OPEN)
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
Yes, sir. Two hundred a head.
- Tonight.
- (GRUNTS)
- (FIRE CRACKLING)
- (RECEIVER CLATTERING)
My wife tells me
you're an artist.
Yeah, she's right.
WILL MACON: Are you talented?
Draw me.
Uh, what--
What's your medium?
Charcoal.
Charcoal.
Some good stock.
(WHISPERING)
Hey, I've seen some shit,
even been to a planet
with sentient tentacles,
- but this is weird, right?
- Yeah.
("ARPEGGIONE SONATA"
BY FRANZ SCHUBERT PLAYING) ♪
(SIGHS) You better
get to doodling, Junior.
Hit me. (GRUNTS SOFTLY)
Take a seat. Relax your hands.
Uh
Hold it there. Thank you.
(SCRATCHING ON PAPER)
(SIGHS)
Zoe, honey, why don't you stay?
Okay.
You can holster up, partner.
Uh, Junior here,
he can draw from memory.
WILL: Is that right?
Well, then you could probably
draw my wife.
(SCRATCHING STOPS)
HAL: Can we talk
about the elephant in the room?
Which elephant?
- Not that one.
- (SCRATCHING RESUMES)
What goes on in this ranch?
Your guys,
they shot darkness at us.
Now, call me paranoid,
but those guns
seem tailor-made
for disabling Green Lanterns.
Hey, I told you. We're ready
for any kind of invasion.
Well, that's kind of worrisome,
isn't it?
WILL: Well, it should
only be worrisome
if the Lanterns
pose a threat to my boss.
Oh, so now he's your boss?
I thought he was just
the benefactor.
Oh, don't get caught up
in semantics.
Boss, benefactor
- How about savior?
- Sure.
He did cure my cancer.
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
That's how we met.
Zoe was my nurse.
Kept me alive after the doctor
said I was a goner.
Then he came,
worked his magic, and voilà.
- "His magic"?
- WILL: So to speak.
Can you relax your shoulders?
HAL: Now you talk
about him like he's a god.
- WILL: I do, don't I?
- Hey, please.
Could you just stay still?
(DISTANT BELLS TOLL)
Everything changed
when he showed up.
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Crops grow. Kids thrive.
And you saw the hospital.
No one gets sick.
He takes care of us
in exchange for our protection.
So why don't you leave
so we can protect him?
Well, that's not gonna happen.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(SIGHS)
Well, that's unfortunate.
How about we skip the bluff
where you threaten
to kill me
with a darkness gun? Hmm?
'Cause we both know
if I end up dead,
there's gonna be 100 Lanterns
at your front door,
and you're not even gonna
have time to hide my body.
WILL: You're right.
Killing a Lantern would trigger
a large response.
He's not a Lantern.
(DOOR OPENS)
Dad, please put your dick away.
- Can I help you, Sheriff?
- I got a call about trespassers.
- Gonna assume it was these two.
- You're making a mistake, Kerry.
Just turn around
and leave us be.
- That's not gonna happen.
- That's exactly what I said.
Let's go. I'm taking you in.
Move.
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
(DOOR OPENS)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
- (KERRY SIGHS)
You had one shot
to get the guy and you whiffed.
If Zoe hadn't called me,
you'd be beyond fucked.
I live in beyond fucked.
KERRY: Jesus,
what is that, a catchphrase?
Do you hear yourself?
I'm in this shit with you now.
(SCOFFS)
(SIGHS, SNIFFLES)
I broke into Billy's files.
I am this close to finding
your stupid benefactor.
Until I do,
you're gonna lock your doors
and you're gonna wait for me
to tell you what happens next.
Is that clear?
Yes. Yes.
- Superheroes don't really lock their doors--
- KERRY: Say yes!
Yes.
Good.
You're free to go.
(DOOR HANDLE CLUNKS)
You kinda gotta let us out.
(MUTTERS) Oh my God.
Wait.
Oh.
- Sheriff, not even a date first?
- (SCOFFS)
Do you ever shut up?
Stewart, come here.
Macon let you
just walk off his ranch.
He's not done with you two yet.
He knows where you are.
He'll send someone.
I'd take you
into protective custody,
but we're still trying
to put the station back together, so
Yeah, thank you.
Nothing for me?
You're a superhero.
(CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
(CAR ENGINE STARTING, REVVING)
Hey, Junior.
What?
We found Macon's weenie.
(DIAL TONE RINGING)
BERNADETTE STEWART:
Why are you calling me on your cell?
Get to the payphone.
I talked to them already, Mama.
BERNADETTE: What did they say?
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
They're not gonna
give me the ring.
They're making me
take it from him.
BERNADETTE: Then take it.
Don't tell me
you fell for that man.
JOHN: Oh, come on.
BERNADETTE:
He is a charming motherfucker.
JOHN: I know exactly
what the fuck he is.
BERNADETTE:
Good. Don't lose focus.
- I won't.
- (VEHICLE APPROACHING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Mama, I gotta go.
(RIFLE COCKING)
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
ZOE MACON:
Want to put that thing away?
What are you doing here?
Did Macon send you?
No. I came on my own.
Then why are you here?
(TENDER STRING
MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(MUSIC BUILDS) ♪
(RIFLE THUDS)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES) ♪
(PANTS)
(BOTH PANTING HEAVILY)
(MUSIC FALLS) ♪
(ZOE SIGHS)
I was thinking how much better
that is not in my truck.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(GRUNTS)
This has to be the last time.
Okay.
Is there a reason why?
Well, your choices
are pretty much
leave town or get killed.
I really hope you choose
the former.
JOHN: Hmm.
I'm sorry.
ZOE: (SOFTLY)
Why are you staying?
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Because I feel like
everybody's lying to me.
(LOW BROODING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Why?
Because that's exactly
what I'm doing.
ZOE: You think Jordan
is lying to you?
Yeah.
Do you think I am?
Yeah.
When I tell you what I know
everything changes.
I can't do that.
Because of your husband?
What do you owe him?
ZOE: You read this all wrong.
I don't owe him.
He owes me.
He was dying when I met him
and I saved his life.
And now
I am trying to save yours.
Is that a yes?
You'll leave town?
Not a chance.
ZOE: Damn.
JOHN: Damn.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(TRUCK DOOR OPENS)
- (TRUCK DOOR CLOSES)
- (TRUCK ENGINE STARTING)
(MUSIC SWELLS) ♪
(CAR ALARMS BLARING)
(UNSETTLING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (DOOR OPENS)
- HAL: Where'd it come from?
- JOHN: Forty-five degrees northeast.
- Just fucking point!
(BOOMING WHOOSH)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (DOME WARBLING)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
HAL: Who the hell makes
a satellite like this?
I've narrowed it down to Atlas,
Vermond, and Rutger.
Macon signed NDAs
with all three companies.
When?
All three
were over ten years ago.
Atlas and Rutger, around 30.
It's gotta be one of them then.
Junior, you almost done?
Yeah, good. Almost done.
She was his grandmother.
What am I supposed to tell Noah?
(SATELLITE RATTLING, CLICKING)
Just tell him we're gonna
find out whoever did this.
Every satellite's registered
with the government.
Can you run that?
I can run the serial number
through the FCC database.
(KEYBOARD CLACKING)
It's registered to Atlas, Inc.
Owner of Atlas, Inc.
is Hector Hammond.
Runs a string
of high-tech slaughterhouses
across the country.
- No record of him anywhere before 1986.
- (INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Where's his nearest
slaughterhouse?
Ninety-five miles away.
That's where he's gonna be then.
I'd bet Junior's life on it.
- What do you say?
- I think it seems too easy.
Elaborate.
You're the space cop.
Where's the investigation?
You think
we just cracked the case
in this motel room?
Go on.
Well, he's got
all these satellites
that can kill us all
at any time.
But we're still alive.
And why did he choose
to kill Zoe and not us?
Because killing Zoe
was more than just a threat.
It was an invitation.
Jesus, Junior.
That's not bad. Nice work.
Thanks.
HAL: Hey, Earth to Stewart.
Earth to Stewart.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
How you doing?
What?
You have never
asked me that before.
Your girlfriend blew up
in front of you.
I'm handling it.
Kinda look like you're shutting
down your feelings.
It's part of the job.
People dying is part of the job.
You want some advice?
Avoid real relationships
from here on out.
Keep people at a distance
for their own safety.
It's a lonely fucking job.
JOHN: You ever talk
with the other Lanterns?
I'm the only human.
They're aliens.
One of them's
a fucking squirrel.
- Nobody like me.
- I'm like you. I'm human.
That you are.
Yet you hate having me
as a backup.
I do.
What's the plan?
I say
we walk straight into his trap.
Mm. You wanna hear my idea?
I say you give me the ring.
Okay, Hammond's gonna
expect you to have it,
not me, element of surprise.
- So I'm a decoy.
- Yeah, you would be.
Oh, this isn't
a training exercise.
You're good, but you're no me.
- Maybe next time.
- JOHN: Mm.
Hey.
I like the confidence, though.
(CHUCKLES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
ANNOUNCER: (OVER PA)
Remember, security.
The first step towards
a safer environment.
Stay secure, stay vigilant.
Remember, security.
The first step towards
a safer environment.
Stay secure, stay vigilant.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(ANNOUNCEMENT REPEATING OVER PA)
(DISTANT HOSE HISSING)
(DISCORDANT MUSIC
OVERLAPPING) ♪
HAL: Hey, where's Hammond?
(INTRIGUING MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
(HOSE HISSING)
(ANNOUNCEMENT REPEATING OVER PA)
I'm about done
with these weird-ass people.
Agreed.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
(SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC
PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS) ♪
(DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
Jazz, that can't be good.
(TINKLING WARBLE)
(BURBLING RUMBLE)
(CHITTERING TINKLE)
(ECHOING WHOOSH)
Well, we found the cows.
(LASERS HUMMING SHARPLY)
(LASERS WHIRRING)
(RING WARBLES)
(MOOS)
- (GEARS WHIRRING)
- (FLESH SQUELCHING)
JOHN: Hm.
(DOOR OPENS)
(WHEELS RATTLING)
That's why I'm vegan.
(GEARS WHIRRING)
- (LIGHTS HUMMING)
- (KEYBOARD CLACKING)
- Mr. Hammond, I assume.
- (MOUSE CLICKS)
3248 Aspen Way.
- How's that?
- That's my parents' address.
I've already shown you what
my satellites are capable of.
- In exactly three minutes
- (LAPTOP BEEPS)
- (TIMER TICKING)
- one of them will obliterate
your childhood home,
unless I enter a code onto this laptop.
- You kill me, you kill them.
- (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
HAL: Yeah, that's great.
Dead man's trigger.
Don't act like you invented it.
Look, you invited us here.
Let's get down to business, huh?
You can save them, John.
Would you like to know how?
Don't talk to him.
You talk to me.
You were approached
by a group of individuals
searching for me.
They gave you a phone.
Call them.
Tell them
you found me right here.
All right, so you can use
the old, uh, cow laser on them.
All right, that
that's clever.
Quick question.
How do you know
about John's phone?
Is he always like this?
It must be insufferable.
You're gonna suffer if you
don't start talking to me.
- I'm the one with the ring.
- For now.
What does that mean?
When you checked into the motel,
I decided it best to listen in.
I've been monitoring
your conversations there.
Most of them were boring.
Most.
JOHN: (ON RECORDING)
That's because he's old.
And he's tired.
And his time is up.
He's not worthy of
the "massive power" of the ring.
He didn't do shit to earn it.
And every time he looks at me,
he realizes
that I'll do this better
than he's ever done it before
because I've worked
my entire fucking life for it.
(TIMER CONTINUES TICKING)
JOHN:
The ring's always been mine.
That asshole's
just keeping it warm.
- LIANNA: Then go and get it.
- (HECTOR HAMMOND SIGHS)
(KEYBOARD KEY CLACKS)
You're obsolete, Mr. Jordan.
Replaced by a new
and vastly improved model.
That must be terrifying.
- What color is Abin Sur?
- What?
HAL: The fellow
who gave me this ring,
who dropped you off
on this planet before he died?
You're the Manhunter.
What color was he?
- (TIMER TICKING)
- (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) ♪
- I don't remember.
- He was a very memorable shade.
I've met a lot of aliens.
I don't think you have.
I think you're bullshit.
I think you're a smokescreen
for someone else. A decoy.
One minute and counting.
HAL: You know,
an old friend of mine
recently told me something
about Manhunters.
Very good at replicating
other organisms,
nearly perfect.
But when it comes to copying
carbon-based life forms,
the only organ you can't
get just right is the heart.
It's an undetectable flaw,
uh, when you're alive.
But once your heart stops,
it crystallizes.
So the only way to prove
that you're a Manhunter
is to rip
your fucking heart out.
You kill me, his parents die.
HAL: Oh, I got
no problem with that.
I mean, I would have given
a shit before the recording,
but now I'm starting
to think, you know,
a hero's journey,
it should really only start
after the parents are dead.
- The fuck are you doing?
- You kill Stewart's family,
I got no reason
to keep you alive.
So you got about ten seconds
to tell me the truth.
- (MUSIC BUILDS) ♪
- Hal.
Nine.
- Eight.
- JOHN: Stop.
- HAL: Seven.
- JOHN: Stop!
- Six.
- Stop!
I'm human! I'm human!
Fucking put in
that code right now.
(KEYBOARD CLACKING RAPIDLY)
(LAPTOP BEEPS)
(MUSIC QUIETENS) ♪
- They're safe.
- What if you were fucking wrong?
I'm never wrong.
- Okay.
- (LAPTOP SLAMS SHUT)
Okay, who are you?
- Who the fuck are you? Speak up!
- I'm-- I'm Hector Gutierrez.
I was an engineering student.
He-- He came to me,
offering me
incredible technology,
said I could use it
to help my family,
- my community.
- Who the fuck is the Manhunter?
Isn't it obvious?
Will Macon.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
I was gonna give it back.
What?
At Macon's ranch,
I was wearing the ring.
All I needed to do
was say the oath.
But I didn't.
And when I asked for it again,
I just wanted to show you
what I was capable of.
I believe you.
- It's all good.
- Really?
(SCOFFS)
Honestly, I'd have done
the same thing.
And what you said
wasn't all untrue.
I didn't do much
to earn this thing.
And there's a very good chance
that you might end up
being better.
I can be a bit
of an asshole at times.
You know, the Guardian
said you broke a vow.
(CHUCKLES)
You believe everything they say.
You ought to give that a rest.
I mean, look
what they're doing to me now.
But that said,
I did break a vow.
Went to see Sinestro.
So he told you
about the crystal heart?
HAL: Among other things.
- They're ruthless, Junior.
- (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
They assimilate into communities
by attaching to weak spots.
It's what they're programmed
to do.
So what you're saying
is they have no other choice?
They find a path
to power every time,
and if they identify a threat
to that power,
they'll manipulate that threat
into believing anything
they want them to.
Remind you of anyone we know?
Yeah, it must be Macon.
Like Hector said.
Yeah.
(BROODING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Call that alien hit squad.
Tell them to meet us
at the cafe.
Nah, they don't trust you.
Hmm. Why don't you tell them
to meet you at the cafe, then?
They trust you.
Yeah. (CLEARS THROAT)
(KEYPAD BEEPING)
(DIAL TONE RINGING)
- ANTAAN: Yeah?
- I've got who we're looking for.
ANTAAN: That's good.
Meet me at the cafe
just outside of Rushville.
ANTAAN: We're close.
Yeah.
(CELL PHONE CLICKS)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(HAL SIGHS)
What?
I really did forgive you.
Thought you'd be honest.
About what?
When Zoe blew up, I didn't get
why you weren't upset.
I thought you were
made of stone.
I wondered why you weren't sad.
I knew you liked her.
Now, with Hector,
when you freaked out
about your parents, and
it kinda all hit me.
You ain't made of stone, Junior.
You aren't upset because
you know Zoe isn't dead.
And I don't know how she managed
to get out of that car alive
unless she's a Manhunter.
The thing
that I can't figure out
is how long you've known.
(ENGINE REVVING)
I didn't know.
I just had a feeling.
(CHUCKLING) Fuck feeling,
that's your gut, Junior.
- Yeah.
- (CHUCKLES) Well, bravo.
Congratulations, truly.
The-- The student
surpasses the teacher.
I wasn't trying to keep
anything from you.
I just didn't know for certain,
so I didn't want
to say anything.
Oh, you haven't
told the Guardians?
I haven't told
the Guardians anything
we've been doing
because you asked me not to.
- Right?
- Oh, except that I'm old and tired.
Well, I'm sorry about that.
I'm sorry about the rental.
("MIDAS"
BY WUNDERHORSE PLAYING) ♪
- (LAUGHS)
- (TIRES SQUEALING)
The voice inside the suit ♪
Came crawling down
The telephone ♪
Somewhere between a chessboard
And a nursery rhyme ♪
I heard the rattlesnake
Shaking in his invitation ♪
And the whites of his knuckles
On the other end of the line ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas, la-la-la-la-la ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas ♪
Stepped inside his office
And the whole place ♪
Seemed to shiver, he said
"Come here, a little closer ♪
Boy, come on, don't be shy" ♪
I searched
To find the fracture ♪
In his tombstone facelift ♪
And he fixed me
With the coldness ♪
Of the kingdom in his eyes ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas, la-la-la-la-la ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas ♪
(SINGER VOCALIZES) ♪
(ENERGETIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
PLAYING) ♪
He said, "Come on, kid ♪
You think
We got a deal, yeah?" ♪
Threw his head back
Like a pelican ♪
And straightened
His tie-ie-ie-ie ♪
Each time they're askin' ♪
You're making me
Kinda nervous ♪
And with a click
Of his silvered fingers ♪
I was falling
Through the sky ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas, la-la-la-la-la ♪
Midas, yeah ♪
Midas, Midas ♪
(SONG CONCLUDES) ♪