Just when I started liking Scar, they go on and remind me of what a bastard he really is. Moral ambiguity is an unusual thing to come by in escapist fantasy like this, so it’s pretty remarkable how they’re able to make you root for a character in one episode, then boo him in another. I wanted the Alchemical Kids to kick Scar’s ass when he first showed up, then I wanted him to kick the Homunculi’s asses and, now, the Elrics are back for the rematch and I actually wanted him to win. At first. Until, like I said, they reminded us of how he ruined Winry’s life. And then he kidnaps her! That bastard!
Along a similar line, it’s impressive to see how the layers upon layers of entrapment intertwine. Now Ed & Al are playing dumb during the fight with the Chimeras (I call ‘em Bebop and Rocksteady) since it better serves their interest for Kimblee’s cronies to be taken out instead of their old foe. And then, Winry’s defenseless-but-willful streak continues as she stows away inside Al (ha ha! Litterally inside him) and they blame her escape on Kimblee. It's all so complex!
Rapidfire observations for the rest.
- I’m going to call it that May’s puppy love is going to get realized whenever he gets his body back.
- Did the mustache guy actually show up in an earlier episode? There have been so many, I can’t remember. Maybe it’s a lost tale from the manga?
- What was up with Al sweating?! I get that the suit’s supposed to be like a big body, but to produce bodily fluids? Did they do some gag with him pissing before, or am I misremembering gags from ABENOBASHI in the sliced-and-diced salad of my memories?
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon here & here . Follow him on Twitter: @tompinchuk
