Hagane no Renkinjutsushi – Fullmetal Alchemist Ep. 17
鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Episode 17
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood – 17

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Maria Ross is questioned by Henry Douglas regarding Hughes death. The evidence of a .45 caliber slug being found at the scene combined with Ross’s owning a .45 as well as using it during the 5th Lab incident are used to frame her for Hughes’ murder. Armstrong realizes that Ross is being framed and this is confirmed by Sgt. Brosh, who reveals to Armstrong that his evidence was ignored. Ross is sent to jail for the murder and this is posted in the local newspaper.

Meanwhile, Ed and Al consider their next move and are asked that very question by Winry. Ed asks for her opinion which surprises her. She says she is afraid for them but they have to do what they have to do. Al sees the report in the newspaper and reports it to Ed. Both immediately head out to learn more since Ross helped them.

Elsewhere, Falman is playing chess with Barry the Chopper when the newspaper is delivered to them. Seeing the cover, Falman makes a call to Col. Mustang. Barry wonders what the fuss is and seeing the newspaper, he remembers Ross. At the prison where Ross is being held, Barry attacks and keeping his promise not to kill anyone, he makes his way to Ross’s cell. Ross is afraid of Barry but gets angry when she sees what is in the newspaper. When Barry gives her a choice to break out with him or remain in jail and be killed, she ends up choosing escape.

Barry also frees Ling upon learning Ling is from Xing.

Douglas receives the report about Ross’s escape and orders that she be shot on site if she resists capture; Mustang responds to this order by putting on his special alchemy glove. Meanwhile, Ling, Ross and Barry encounter Ed and Al in an alleyway. Ed and Al want to know what is going on but Barry instructs Ross to flee, giving her a specific route. Ross flees as Al attacks Barry but she encounters an angry-looking Mustang, who uses his flame ability to take her out. Ed manages to get to the scene of the explosion just as Mustang gets up from a burnt body containing Ross’s ID tags. Al, having arrived on scene after Barry and Ling flee, holds Ed back from seriously attacking Roy as Roy explains his actions were the results of the orders given.

Douglas arrives with soldiers and asks for a report from Mustang on what happened. Roy explains he simply followed orders and seeing as how Mustang and Hughes were close, Douglas assumes that the reason the body is so badly burned is due to Mustang getting revenge. Ed, who is nearby the whole time, is very angry about all this. Later at the hospital, Armstrong apologizes to Ed and Al for keeping the news of Hughes’ death secret. Dr. Knox arrives and has ID’d the body as belonging to Ross due to a tooth. Armstrong makes an apology of sorts to Mustang for the actions of his subordinate. Mustang orders Armstrong to go east and take a break, which irritated Ed.

Envy reports events to Lust, who isn’t totally satisfied with the results since they were supposed to get Mustang under control. Meanwhile, Riza puts in a request for leave and it is granted by Roy. Taking advantage of Riza’s departure, Roy begins making calls with a girl named Elizabeth, leading the rest of the office staff to realize how much Riza kept Mustang in line.

Elsewhere, Falman is fretting over what Barry did in the prison as well as Barry bringing Ling to the hideout. Ling has lit a fire which quickly brings Fu and Lan Fan and that has Falman even more frustrated.

Still elsewhere, Armstrong arrives at the hotel were Ed, Al, and Winry are staying where he punches Ed. Armstrong then announces that they are going to Resembool to have the automail repaired and drags Ed off to the shock of Al and Winry. Ed wants to be let down, but Armstrong says he can’t as it is an order. The news of their departure is reported to Col. Mustang, who has removed two elements that could interfere with his plans.

At the homunculus hideout, Envy reports to Lust that it was Barry the Chopper that busted Ross out of jail. It stands to reason that Barry and Mustang are working together but Envy still doesn’t know where Barry is hiding. Lust decides it is time to unleash the real body of Barry the Chopper.

Thoughts/Review:

Talk about your surprise endings — Barry the Chopper’s human form? Wow. Good thing that because I’m three episodes behind, I can immediately go into the next episode and see where this goes. *lol*

I think it is pretty clear that Lt. Ross isn’t dead but then you manga-readers will already know but don’t spoil me, OK. ^_^; Regardless, for Barry the Chopper to be let out to bust Ross out of jail pretty much suggests that Mustang had to be aware of it. The burned body can be staged of course. Basically, everything about the death of Ross is a very neat package which is why I don’t believe it. If I’m right, then what is the plan for Ross?

Mustang is really up to a lot it seems. In addition to seemingly busting out Ross, he’s also communing with an Elizabeth. I wonder who that is especially since he’s talking so openly on a military phone line. That too feels very staged and I can’t help but think of Riza’s sudden vacation request. Then again, maybe Elizabeth is a new character but somehow I doubt it.

Why hasn’t Barry the Chopper chopped Falman yet? A murderer that now has a metal body and is very tough to kill doesn’t seem like the type to just hang out “being held” while playing chess with his guard. Further, being let out, he follows a plan to release Ross then even releases Ling for some reason. It is strange to me.

I loved the bit of comedy with Barry the Chopper though. Poor Falman. *lol*

So, a really good episode with the story moving right along.