The third episode of HBO Max's "Lanterns," titled "OutKast," has sparked widespread discussion for exploring how protagonist John Stewart Jr. was raised differently from his older brothers and why, drawing comparisons to public debates around Michael Jackson's upbringing. The episode examines whether the extreme methods used by John's parents to prepare him for the role of Green Lantern amount to abuse, after the Guardians rejected his father in favour of a white candidate, Hal Jordan, citing fear rather than race as the deciding factor.

The episode proved a ratings success, drawing more than 10 million viewers within three days, including 7 million in the US. Co-executive producer and writer Vanessa Baden Kelly, who penned the episode, told The Hollywood Reporter she experienced significant anxiety beforehand, including heart palpitations and exposure to negative "woke" commentary online, but received support from series creator Damon Lindelof, who had faced similar scrutiny with "Watchmen". Baden Kelly said the overwhelmingly positive response and ensuing debate about the Stewart family's parenting were exactly what the writers had hoped to provoke, despite a vocal minority remaining critical.