In a Variety interview, "Lanterns" star Poorna Jagannathan discusses Episode 5 of the HBO Max series, which reveals her character Zoe Macon to be the mysterious Manhunter terrorising Rushville. Jagannathan explains the psychological hold Zoe has over the town's residents, describing it as a "Faustian" bargain in which Zoe protects people in exchange for their loyalty when she eventually needs it. The revelation is significant to the season's central mystery, showing how deeply Zoe has embedded herself into the town's fabric over the years.

The episode flashes back to Zoe saving Sheriff Kerry (Kelly Macdonald) from gangsters years earlier in exchange for future protection, before jumping to the present as Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor) closes in to kill her. Zoe lets John (Aaron Pierre) nearly die in a burning car before healing him with alien technology, striking a deal that he let Hal (Kyle Chandler) die and cover for her with the Guardians, who Zoe reveals created the Manhunters. Jagannathan says Zoe deliberately waits until people are at their most vulnerable before intervening, and chose to appear as a South Asian woman because being seen as an outsider lets her operate unnoticed and gain a strategic advantage.