The Rings of Power‘s first episode features a scene that changes the course of the entire show, but it was almost cut from the premiere. Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings show takes viewers back to the Second Age of Middle-earth, chronicling Sauron’s first rise to power. The series primarily follows a young Galadriel in her attempts to track down the villain everyone else believes has vanished after Morgoth’s fall. Galadriel’s actions are defined by stubbornness and the need for justice, and The Rings of Power‘s premiere establishes what kind of character she is from the jump.

Galadriel’s strong will carries her through The Rings of Power season 1, and it does help her track down Sauron — even if he’s not quite what she expects. And she would never find Morgoth’s former minion without a scene that was almost slashed from season 1. The Rings of Power would play out very differently if that moment didn’t make the final cut of the show, so it’s for the best that it was kept in.

The Rings Of Power Nearly Cut Galadriel’s Boat Scene In The Premiere

Amazon Reportedly Cited Budgetary Reasons

The Rings of Power‘s premiere concludes with a scene of Galadriel and her fellow Elves on a boat to Valinor, where they’re expected to find peace and be rewarded for their efforts against Morgoth. Although going to Valinor is meant to be an honor, Galadriel feels that Sauron is still out there. She’s clearly conflicted about the journey, and High King Gil-galad only seems to send her away so that she’ll stop searching for Sauron. As the ship approaches Valinor, Galadriel struggles to relinquish her dagger. As she recalls poignant advice from her brother, she decides to jump ship.

According to The Rings of Power director J.A. Bayona, this scene was almost cut from the season 1 premiere for budgetary reasons — a surprising development considering its importance to Galadriel’s characterization and the plot overall. It’s fortunate that Amazon made the choice to keep it in, and not just because it’s a powerful moment. This scene also makes Galadriel a stronger character, and it sets her story in motion, building to The Rings of Power‘s later reveals.

Episode 1’s Final Scene Made Galadriel A Better Character

It Showed What Kind Of Heroine She Is

While The Rings of Power episode 1’s ending scene isn’t the most important moment of the first season, it does a great job of cementing Galadriel’s character. It reaffirms that she’s not the type of person to shirk her duty, and it highlights her refusal to abandon Middle-earth in favor of finding peace in Valinor. Not many people would be willing to sacrifice eternal peace based on their instincts, but that’s the type of heroine Galadriel is. Jumping off the ship is a defining moment for her character, presenting her best qualities to viewers and making her an easy character to root for.

While several other scenes throughout The Rings of Power also demonstrate Galadriel’s commitment to her cause, this is undoubtedly the most powerful. The flashback to her brother underscores where she gets her intuition and unwavering sense of good from. Meanwhile, her risky choice sets The Rings of Power‘s plot in motion, ensuring the series unravels the way it’s supposed to. Without this moment, the Lord of the Rings series would be very different, as would Galadriel’s first meeting with Sauron.

How The Rings Of Power Would Have Been Different Without This Moment

Galadriel And Halbrand’s Story Would Have Unfolded Differently

The Rings of Power premiere’s ending also contributes to Galadriel’s story arc, leading to one of the most critical points of the whole series. If Galadriel never boarded the ship to Valinor, she wouldn’t be stranded at sea — and she wouldn’t have met Halbrand. It’s thanks to this moment that she unknowingly crosses paths with Sauron, prompting everything that follows. While one could argue that finding Sauron leads to his rise to power, it’s likely he would have attempted to conquer Middle-earth regardless of whether he met Galadriel. However, their meeting confirms her hunch that he’s still alive and gives Middle-earth the chance to prepare.

For better or worse, their encounter also leads to everything that happens in The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. From a storytelling perspective, it’s necessary for Galadriel to jump ship and find Halbrand while stranded at sea. The Rings of Power would unfold very differently if she didn’t do this during the premiere, as would the history of Middle-earth.