Guardian Episode 1 Recap
> Guardian Recap
Marine, an ancient planet, was visited by a group of aliens tens of thousands of years ago. Some of these alien cells genetically fused with the planet's animals and plants, resulting in a race known as the Sub-beasts, who possess animalistic habits and the ability to transform at will. The other alien faction settled deep underground, becoming the Subterraneans. The unique climate there caused their genes to mutate, granting them powers like manipulating weather, decomposing elements, and influencing minds.
Despite their similar appearance to the Mariners, the planet's indigenous inhabitants, the three races initially lived in harmony, segregated due to the Subterraneans' significantly smaller population. However, a massive meteorite strike devastated Marine's ecosystem, depleting the underground resources and forcing the Subterraneans to the surface. Ambitious Subterraneans initiated a war for resources, invading the territories of Mariners and Sub-beasts. The conflict raged until the Mariners forged four hallows from absorbed meteorite energy, finally defeating the Subterraneans.
A peace agreement was then established among the Mariners, Sub-beasts, and Subterraneans, bringing an end to the hostilities that has lasted until the present day. In modern times, Professor Shen Wei, a leading authority in bioengineering, lectured on the genetic variation of species with his student, Li Qian, assisting him. Professor Ouyang, another esteemed scholar, commended Shen Wei's work and revealed that he and Shen Wei's own teacher were researching real-life genetic mutations, inviting Shen Wei to join their institute.
Shen Wei politely declined, asserting his preference to remain a regular scholar focused on his own research, a decision that left Professor Ouyang noting that no one truly understood Shen Wei's thoughts. Due to an increase in Subterraneans committing crimes, the Marine Administration established a secret organization called the Special Investigation Unit to counter them and maintain public safety. The story of the unit began on the day Guo Changcheng, a new recruit, joined their ranks.
Guo reported for duty at an unusual hour, clutching his assignment note. He was greeted by Zhao Yunlan, the Director of the Special Investigation Unit, a man trying to quit smoking.
Inside the unit's hidden facility, Guo met a diverse group of members: Zhu Hong, who had a snake tail; a woman in white floating in mid-air; Lin Jing, a scientific genius often covered in soot from his experiments; and Da Qing, the Deputy Director who could transform into a black cat. Overwhelmed by the surreal sight of these super-powered beings, Guo fainted.
Upon his recovery, Zhao Yunlan, having been informed that Guo was Minister Guo's nephew, instructed his team to treat the new recruit well, specifically forbidding Da Qing from transforming into a cat to scare people unless on a field mission. The Special Investigation Unit soon took on a perplexing case: the death of Lu Ruomei, a student of Professor Shen Wei.
At the crime scene, Zhao Yunlan, accompanied by Da Qing and the still-shaken Guo Changcheng, observed a distinct palm print inside the room, leading them to suspect foul play by a Subterranean. The first witness, Li Qian, another of Shen Wei's students, described seeing a blurry shadow enveloping Lu Ruomei's body, tightening until the victim fell from the window. Shortly after the interview, Shen Wei arrived to take Li Qian away.
Sensing Shen Wei's enigmatic nature, Zhao Yunlan tasked Guo Changcheng with tailing both of them, emphasizing the importance of keeping a close eye on the mysterious professor. Guo Changcheng, however, lost track of both Shen Wei and Li Qian. Instead, he encountered Li Qian's elderly grandmother, who, suffering from memory loss, mistook Guo for her granddaughter. Out of kindness, Guo escorted her home.
While there, the grandmother, fearful of being left alone, clutched Guo's hand, causing him to inadvertently touch a box from which a shadowy entity emerged. Just then, Chu Shuzhi, another member of the Special Investigation Unit, appeared and engaged the shadow in a fierce but inconclusive battle before the entity escaped.
Back at the unit, Zhao Yunlan confirmed his suspicion to Guo: Li Qian was the true target, and Lu Ruomei, who bore a resemblance to her, had been a scapegoat. Despite Guo's feeling of failure, Zhao and Chu reassured him. Later, Zhao Yunlan approached Shen Wei on campus, questioning him about individuals with extraordinary abilities. Shen Wei, acknowledging Zhao's knowledge of the Subterraneans, maintained his role as a biology professor, distinguishing his work from Zhao's duty of catching criminals.
During their exchange, Shen Wei shared a profound, unexplainable feeling that Zhao Yunlan seemed like an old friend he had been searching for for ten thousand years. Zhao, however, appeared to have no memory of their shared past. Prior to this, Shen Wei had also spoken with a troubled Li Qian, discussing the nature of "real monsters" existing within every individual and affirming the worth of protecting someone. Soon after, Shen Wei and Li Qian collided on campus.
Shen Wei noticed a distinctive pendant Li Qian was wearing and asked to examine it. At that moment, the Subterranean in shadow form attacked them. Shen Wei shielded Li Qian, instructing her to call Chu Shuzhi for help while he fought the Subterranean single-handedly, eventually being pushed off the building's roof. Just as the situation grew dire, Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi, and Lin Jing arrived and subdued the attacking Subterranean.
Following standard procedure, a powerful figure known as the Black Robed Envoy appeared to take custody of the Subterranean. Zhao Yunlan addressed him as "Mr. Black," noting it was the first time the Envoy had appeared since Zhao became Director. The Envoy claimed he was "caught up in work," while Zhao subtly implied the Envoy's tardiness might have been intentional. After the Black Robed Envoy departed with the captive, Guo Changcheng questioned why they simply let him go.
Zhao Yunlan explained the peace treaty: the Special Investigation Unit could apprehend Subterraneans, but their final disposition was handled by the Envoy's side. It was then that Li Qian, remembering Shen Wei's sacrifice, frantically inquired about his whereabouts.
