The threads continue to pull closer and closer as events build, sometimes out of control.
What They Say:
Ed’s crew faces a horde of ravenous mannequins, abominations powered by human souls. The twisted creatures aren’t the only unstoppable force on the battlefield –Pride, Sloth, and Envy are on the move.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood continues to move along and once again proves that those in control of the power don’t always have control over said power. This is illustrated in the opening frames as we see the “ravenous mannequins” being unleashed at long last in order to create and utilize the immortal legion that has been built. Those under Father’s control believe they can just order and manipulate all of them with ease, but as we see they have their own feelings on the matter, though they are quite bloodthirsty. These mannequins are quite disturbing to watch as they have attachments to the past and come across to Ed the same as those we’ve seen attached to the bodies of Gluttony and Envy in their larger and more grotesque forms.
While that offers up a significant number of fight sequences overall, and some really wonderful tense moments filled with horror as you watch them run about or stumble along, Central itself is still a large focus of events. General Armstrong is continuing her push to force events in a direction she wants and that puts her squarely up against Sloth within Central Command itself, something that again shows how brazen the homunculi are getting over all of this. Armstrong continues to be one of my favorite characters overall because of her style and the way she carries herself, so watching her essentially take on all of Central from the inside is perfectly in character for her.
Other situations continue to get their due as well. Al’s time with Pride is really interesting as we realize what it is that he’s doing with Al’s helmet by banging on it as it served only to draw Kimblee to his position, which isn’t exactly something anyone wants since a free Pride is a very dangerous Pride. Quite possibly the most disturbing aspect of this episode is when Envy gets out of May’s hands and ends up taking over one of the mannequins, which since they’re built with Philosopher’s Stones to some extent, he’s able to rebuild himself in a way most befitting of such a homunculi. It’s sad to see him go back to this form as I really liked him more as a creature in a jar being carried all over the place with a little squeaky voice.
In Summary:
This is one of those episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood where talk is cheap and action and events are the focus of the day. There are a lot of situations at work here being dealt with and each of them are slowly pulling closer and closer together to the overall narrative. Though there is a lot of action, there’s drama and small revelations along the way that makes it an episode that helps the story and again expands on the characters and what makes them who they are. The cast of this show is pretty big at this point so not everyone gets their time in the sun here, but those that do make the most of it. While we don’t have any big epic moments, we get another ending here that signifies a change in approach and the growth of a character from a boy to a man. This is again very good stuff.
Grade: B+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
