Lanterns' ratings have stalled. HBO's Green Lantern series is pulling roughly 500 million viewing minutes a week on Nielsen, just around or outside the top 10, while Reacher runs 1 to 1.5 billion and Lioness 800 to 900 million. This week, Pablo and Brian recap Lanterns episodes 5 and 6, explain why the mystery has plateaued, and ask whether a season two is really a given with the merger closing and key contracts expiring next year.

The Lanterns discussion covers what worked, Sinestro's escape, the action in town, Kelly Macdonald's consistency, and what didn't: the ring's convenient 5% charge, a Sinestro prison break we were told about instead of shown, and a Green Lantern who still hasn't built anything with his ring. Brian ranks Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan number one by a mile; Pablo goes with Aaron Pierre. Then James Gunn's response to fans upset about Hal Jordan's fate, and why Brian calls the show 'working-ish.'

Next, Paramount settles with the states. Brian predicted a settlement months ago, and now he reads the fine print: a 30-to-32-film theatrical pledge where re-releases can count, a $50 million budget floor for only six or seven films, and a penalty that means a fine and selling Miramax. His prediction: close quietly, play nice, then let contracts, Gunn's and Casey Bloys' included, expire in 2027. Pablo pitches selling DC outright. Brian says you never sell the trophy asset first.

Also: Gunn lowering expectations for Man of Tomorrow, the Dynamic Duo animated film from Swaybox focused on Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, the report that Alan Ritchson passed on a DCU Batman cameo, Robert Pattinson and Sebastian Stan on The Batman Part II, and the Batman: Knightfall Part Two trailer, plus whether Knightfall deserved a theatrical run.