Writers on the new DC series *Lanterns* have asked fans to be patient after an unexpected character death in the very first episode sparked backlash online. The creative team has said they anticipated a negative reaction to the twist but felt it served the show's longer narrative arc, arguing that the payoff will only become clear once viewers see how the story develops across the full season.

Speaking about the decision, the writers acknowledged they were prepared to face criticism, saying they are "willing to absorb the boos" in the short term because they believe the finale will justify the choice. They framed the death as a deliberate storytelling device meant to raise the stakes early on, rather than a shock for its own sake, and urged audiences to withhold judgement until the series concludes.