Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 22) – Backs in the Distance

Ling Yao tries to escape from Wrath and Gluttony while keeping an injured Lan Fan safe. Edward and Alphonse are keeping Scar busy, but they never expected Winry to walk in on their fight, especially not at then!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 22) – Backs in the Distance
What happened?
Lan Fan manages to survive Wrath’s initial attack but she was injured in the process. Gluttony goes in for the kill, but Ling Yao is quicker, slicing Gluttony’s head in two. He picks up Lan Fan and tries to get away from Wrath, but it would be hard normally. It’s almost impossible while carrying someone. Wrath and Gluttony manage to pin them down inside a small room where they can continue in private…
Edward and Alphonse continue their fight with Scar, waiting for a signal from Ling Yao that he’s been successful. Alphonse can tell that Edward is tiring and attempts to buy some time by talking to Scar. He asks why he killed Nina as well as Shou Tucker. Scar tells them that Nina had no life ahead of her. She was destined to become a lab rat so he took pity on her.
The Elrics knew that too, but they couldn’t bring themselves to intervene. Edward changed the subject to Winry’s parents and how he killed them. Unfortunately, that was the moment that Winry walked in on their fight. She dropped to her knees crying and demanding to know why he killed them. The glint of a nearby gun caught her eye. She picked it up and aimed at Scar.
He was prepared to accept her judgement for what he did as he recalled the day Ishval was attacked and its citizens were mercilessly slaughtered. His brother, a student of alchemy and alkahestry saved him, but the damage was done. When he woke in a medical tent where the Rockbells were treating the wounded, he lost control and murdered them. He knew what he had done was wrong so he waited for Winry to pull the trigger.

What did you think?
There were some great moments in this episode. It opened like a house on fire with Ling Yao fighting against Wrath and Gluttony. I had no idea just how much of a badass he was, but it was a welcome surprise. I can’t wait to see how he gets out of his current predicament. It’s not going to be easy.
Then, you had the scene with Winry. I’ll admit it was a little convenient having Winry wander into the fight just as Edward asked Scar why he killed the Rockbells. Not to mention the gun that just happened to be sitting non the ground before her. However, it was a great scene and showed just how much everyone has been through. I also liked that Scar realised that he had to pay for what he did and accepted her vengeance should she pull the trigger. She could not!

What have you learnt?
So yeah, Ling Yao! That was amazing seeing him go completely mental on Gluttony. It just goes to show you cannot underestimate anyone in anime who has their eyes closed most of the time. Those characters are dangerous, especially when they do open their eyes. I can’t believe we’re twenty-two episodes in and King Bradley is openly attempting to kill those who stand against him. I was expecting it to happen much later.
That leads me to conclude their either Bradley will pull back a bit and try to slip under the radar for a while or he will be defeated. That would likely mean that someone more sinister would be revealed as the new big villain. You have to go bigger or it isn’t worth it. Anyhow, I’m really enjoying this part of the series and can’t wait to push on.

Other posts in the series
- Season Review
- Episode 1 – Fullmetal Alchemist
- Episode 2 – The First Day
- Episode 3 – City of Heresy
- Episode 4 – An Alchemist’s Anguish
- Episode 5 – Rain of Sorrows
- Episode 6 – Road of Hope
- Episode 7 – Hidden Truths
- Episode 8 – The Fifth Laboratory
- Episode 9 – Created Feelings
- Episode 10 – Separate Destinations
- Episode 11 – Miracle at Rush Valley
- Episode 12 – One is All, All is One
- Episode 13 – Beasts of Dublith
- Episode 14 – Those Who Lurk Underground
- Episode 15 – Envoy From the East
- Episode 16 – Footsteps of a Comrade-in-Arms
- Episode 17 – Cold Flame
- Episode 18 – The Arrogant Palm of a Small Human
- Episode 19 – Death of the Undying
- Episode 20 – Father Before the Grave
- Episode 21 – Advance of the Fool
- Episode 22 – Backs in the Distance
- Episode 23 – Girl on the Battlefield
- Episode 24 – Inside the Belly
- Episode 25 – Doorway of Darkness
- Episode 26 – Reunion
- Episode 27 – Interlude Party
- Episode 28 – Father
- Episode 29 – Struggle of the Fool
- Episode 30 – The Ishvalan War of Extermination
- Episode 31 – The 520 Cens Promise
- Episode 32 – The Fuhrer’s Son
- Episode 33 – The Northern Wall of Briggs
- Episode 34 – Ice Queen
- Episode 35 – The Shape of This Country
- Episode 36 – Family Portrait
- Episode 37 – The First Homunculus
- Episode 38 – Conflict at Baschool
- Episode 39 – Daydream
- Episode 40 – The Dwarf in the Flask
- Episode 41 – The Abyss
- Episode 42 – Signs of a Counter-Offensive
- Episode 43 – Bite of the Ant
- Episode 44 – Revving at Full-throttle
- Episode 45 – The Promised Day
- Episode 46 – Looming Shadows
- Episode 47 – Emissary of Darkness
- Episode 48 – The Oath in the Tunnel
- Episode 49 – Filial Affection
- Episode 50 – Upheaval in Central
- Episode 51 – The Immortal Legion
- Episode 52 – Combined Strength
- Episode 53 – Flame of Vengeance
- Episode 54 – Beyond the Inferno
- Episode 55 – The Adults’ Way of Life
- Episode 56 – The Return of the Fuhrer
- Episode 57 – Eternal Leave
- Episode 58 – Sacrifices
- Episode 59 – Lost Light
- Episode 60 – Eye of Heaven, Gateway of Earth
- Episode 61 – He Who Would Swallow God
- Episode 62 – A Fierce Counterattack
- Episode 63 – The Other Side of the Gateway
- Episode 64 – Journey’s End
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