Hagane no Renkinjutsushi – Fullmetal Alchemist Ep. 35
鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Episode 35 review
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood – 35

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

With Sloth loose inside the Briggs compound, General Armstrong forces the homunculus to level eight where it is doused in a special fuel and then forced out into the blizzard. Because the fuel evaporates quickly, Sloth ends up freezing outside and the threat is over. Armstrong places Ed and Al into a prison cell but because they helped out the mechanics during the fight, they are considered part of the “family” even though they are prisoners.

Miles pays Kimblee a visit in the hospital and takes exception to Kimblee’s remarks about Ishval. As such, he reveals his heritage to Kimblee and says that the forces at Briggs will take care of the Scar problem. After Miles leaves, General Raven comes by, having heard about Kimblee’s condition. Raven says it is time to get to work, so Kimblee reminds him of his injured condition. Raven is prepared for that and has brought an alchemy specialist and a stone to heal Kimblee up in no time.

Elsewhere, Dr. Marcoh and Mei Chan discuss the research in Scar’s brother’s book. Mei explains how long distance transmutations work by hitting pressure points on Marcoh’s body to inflict pain in other spots. Her people see the power needed for alchemy as flowing in the earth in what they refer to as veins of the dragon. Marcoh says that alchemy works from tectonic energy but Mei disagrees, suggesting a more sinister source for the power of alchemy.

Back in Briggs, General Armstrong takes Ed, Al, Lt. Falman, and Captain Buccaneer to examine the giant tunnel that Sloth was constructing, complete with railroad. Traversing it for some time, Armstrong stops the group and demands answers of Ed. Seeing she has figured out some things, Ed tells her they need her help and explains the whole story of the homunculi and the military.

Using a map, Ed surmises that Sloth is tunneling a circle around Amestris and after Falman shows where major bloodshed events have occurred, including the recent riots in Liore, Ed sees that a giant transmutation circle is being created to kill everyone in Amestris. Briggs is the next spot on the map that would complete the transmutation circle meaning bloodshed is not far away. Armstrong is angry about this but before she can even plan, she receives word that General Raven has arrived.

After agreeing to a request by Ed, Armstrong and Raven meet and she lays out bait to get Raven to reveal some information. Meanwhile, Miles has been instructed to give Kimblee a tour of the Briggs installation.

Thoughts/Review:

Another episode with a lot of great stuff in it.

While the shape of the country of Amestris to be turned into a giant transmutation circle seemed clear, I was never sure about why the Ishval Civil War or things like the riots at Liore. Now that it has been revealed that the places of these major bloodshed events coincide with points on a giant transmutation circle like the one seen under the Fifth Lab, I now understand why the plan called for these bloody events though I’m not sure the exact “why” of the matter. Maybe a bunch of people needed to die in order to set a marker for the transmutation.

Still, I don’t know why Father would need another stone or maybe so many stones unless it is to keep his homunculi alive and kicking.

I didn’t notice if Sloth’s tunnel connected with itself, thus completing the circle, but I would think that this would not be the case. I would suspect that Sloth may be near completion of his digging project, depending on where he started. However, if Briggs is the logical place for a huge bloodshed event, the it would seem that Sloth’s circle must be near completion.

Now that Kimblee had his rapid recovery thanks to General Raven bringing someone with him, I wonder if he will end up trying to kill Major Miles.

Speaking of General Raven, considering how much pride General Armstrong has in herself and her people, it is pretty amazing that she was able to play the role needed to get Raven to talk. Then again, she needed the information just as much as Ed and Al did. I was amused at how she dismissed Mustang. It is only natural that if she’s ambitious, she’d see him as a rival since he’s gunning for the top job. I still think they’ll be allied though.

Not that it matters, but I wonder why General Raven paid his visit in civilian garb.

So, another really good episode that provided a lot of interesting answers to some questions.