The inaugural episode of Rings of Power commences with Galadriel's haunting narration, painting a picture of a world so youthful that it had yet to witness a sunrise, yet light still pervaded its vastness. Prepare yourselves for such enigmatic whispers, as they shall abound throughout our journey. The opening scene captures a youthful Galadriel crafting a paper boat and watching it float gracefully down the river, unhindered by the mischief of mischievous children throwing stones. Her brother, Finrod, gracefully enters the scene and escorts her home.
This brief prologue serves as a prelude to a tapestry of epic history, where Galadriel recounts the events that led us to this moment, including her travels across the breadth of Middle Earth. A war that spanned centuries had devastated the land, leaving it barren. Morgoth, the epitome of evil, was vanquished, but his legions of Orcs had scattered across the realm. In his wake, Sauron emerged, a shadow of terror. Tragically, Sauron struck down Galadriel's brother, leaving an indelible mark on her soul. Galadriel grasped his knife and vowed to hunt down this maleficent foe, yet the trail grew cold.
Amidst the desolate Northern Wastes, Galadriel's company was plagued by doubts. Years had passed since they'd laid eyes on an Orc, and they questioned if they even existed anymore. Yet, Galadriel remained unwavering, determined to press onward. At a point, she was prepared to sacrifice her own people in pursuit of Sauron. Fortunately, they halted before Sauron's stronghold.
"This place is so infused with malice, our torches fail to emit warmth," Galadriel muttered, her resolve unwavering. Alongside her companions, they stumbled upon evidence of dark sorcery, Sauron's mark etched into the stone. Galadriel perceived this as a sure sign of Sauron's presence, yet Thondir, with a more rational mind, argued that they should haste to inform the High King. After all, the mark appeared to be ancient.
Galadriel, however, refused to relent. She vowed to eradicate all evil before returning home, even if it meant sacrificing her own group. Deep within the recesses, she stumbled upon a snow troll hiding in the shadows. To her fortune, the power of anti-gravity aided her, and with a single leap of over four meters into the air, Galadriel effortlessly vanquished the snow troll, her prowess unmatched.
Despite the others' anxieties and regrets about their journey, Galadriel remained unwavering, insisting they press onward at the break of dawn. Thondir, brandishing his sword, defiantly refused to follow her lead, a sentiment echoed by the others. Amidst this turmoil, we encountered the elusive Harfoots, the ancestors of the not-Hobbits. Among them stood our protagonist, Nori, a rebellious spirit who chose to stray from the herd and venture into the unknown. Yet, her exploration ended abruptly with the discovery of a sinister footprint, unmistakably belonging to an orc.
Nori's mother, quick to chastise, reminded her of the Harfoot way: staying within their safe confines, avoiding unnecessary risks. This was how they had survived for so long. However, our brief encounter with the Harfoots was soon interrupted, as our focus shifted to Elrond in Lindon. Though barred from the latest meeting, his spirits lifted upon spotting Galadriel's return. She had just arrived, but her purpose was clear: to procure fresh supplies from the King for her relentless pursuit of Sauron. Elrond urged her to stay, but she refused.
In her armored glory, Galadriel frowned upon receiving the crown offered by High King Gil-Galad, who informed the group of the evil that had spread. For their bravery, they were granted passage through the Undying Lands of Valinor. While the others cheered, Galadriel remained unmoved. She rejected the gift, determined to vanquish Sauron instead. Even if it meant going alone, she was unwavering. Elrond tried to reason with her, warning that her quest was based on mere speculation and could lead the elves to their doom. Yet, Galadriel was resolute, heedless of even Elrond's plea to lay down her sword and become his friend. But eventually, she relented and boarded the ship. As the other elves serenaded with ethereal melodies, Galadriel remained silent, her gaze fixed on the knife that had fallen to the floor.
Deep in the verdant South Lands, our gaze is first drawn to the taboo affair brewing between a mortal and an elf, embodied by the tender bond between Arondir and Bronwyn. As they share fleeting yet exquisite moments, the stern reminder of Medhor looms large, reminding us of the scarcity of human-elf unions throughout history.
When the High King's edict arrives，Arondir, with nowhere else to turn, sets his heart on returning to the village to reunite with Bronwyn. However, their reunion is cut short by a distressing discovery - her cow, its udders oozing with vile black sludge. Undeterred, Bronwyn and Arondir embark on a journey eastward, bound for the village of Hordern, in search of answers.
Back in the realm of the Harfoots, Sadoc's intuition whispers of impending oddities, and he proves to be a prophet of truth. A meteor streaks across the sky, a spectacle witnessed by our intrepid heroes. Meanwhile, Galadriel, resolute and independent, opts to swim back across the vast sea alone, its depths unknown and her courage unwavering.
As the episode draws to a close, Nori arrives at the scene first, uncovering a mysterious truth. The asteroid, it transpires, is not a mere stone. Within its depths lies an aged figure, a man whose identity whispers of legend. Could this be the venerable Gandalf, the wizard of many tales? The question hangs in the air, leaving us all in suspense.
