Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 23) – Girl on the Battlefield

Lan Fan goes to extreme lengths in an attempt to help Ling Yao escape from King Bradley. Meanwhile, Edward and Alphonse attempt to defeat Scar, but their fight is interrupted by Gluttony. Who will win?
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 23) – Girl on the Battlefield
What happened?
Ling Yao managed to escape from Wrath and Gluttony, but Lan Fan was bleeding badly which left an easy trail for the homunculi to follow. She told Ling to leave her behind. His life was more important than hers but he refused. However, that wasn’t the end of the discussions. Lan Fan was about to take matters into her own hands.
Edward left Winry with the military police and raced to help Alphonse who was still fighting Scar. Somehow, Scar realised the Alphonse was just a soul attached to the armour. He pitied him, but Alphonse was not willing to budge. He had faith in alchemy and his brother. Scar created a cloud of vapour hiding his attacks, but Edward arrived just in time. Although, he wasn’t the only one.
Wrath and Gluttony split up with Wrath staying on Ling’s trail. Gluttony attacked Scar, but suddenly Ling burst out of the sewers and forced a grenade down Gluttony’s mouth. His body exploded and as it began to reform, Ling asked Edward for some strong cable. He tied up Gluttony as he healed, which only made the restraints that much tight. Riza arrived in disguise and took Ling and Gluttony away. Edward and Alphonse went to finish off Scar but Mei Chang, the girl from Xing that joined up with him earlier arrived and saved him.
Meanwhile, Wrath finally caught up with Lan Fan, however, it was just her arm tied to the back of a dog. She had escaped into the sewers after cutting off her own arm. Mustang arranged for everyone to meet at a house outside of town. He even brought Doctor Knox with him to look at Lan Fan. She survived but needed an arm. Edward said that he could recommend a good auto-mail engineer.

What did you think?
So much happened in this episode it’s hard to explain it all without going on and on. The one thing I didn’t mention above was how Gluttony reacted when he realised the Mustang was there. He basically lost it and blew a hole in the side of the building. It’s going to be an entertaining start to the next episode. Not to mention that Ling told them that King Bradley is a homunculus. This changes everything. Of course, Bradley is also ready to take care of Mustang once and for all.
This episode was just amazing. It was full of action but still managed to move the story along. A lot of different characters appeared too which was also a nice touch. It felt like we were reaching a turning point in the story and it was important to remind the audience of everyone involved. I’m expecting big things to happen!

What have you learnt?
When Gluttony lost control, a hole appeared in his body with an eye. It reminded me of the void from when Edward was pulled through the portal. I’m going to assume that to make a homunculus you need to open the portal. Presumably, someone will be sacrificed to the Truth in the process. Either way, I think we’re in for one hell of a ride.
One thing that this series has going for it is the sheer length of it. For most series, I would be approaching the end of season two, maybe season one if it has two cours. However, I’m not even at the halfway point. Having this many episodes to deal with has enabled the story to flow like one continuous beast as it should. I’d like to see more series put together like this where the studio has complete faith in the project and makes the entire story. Far too many remain unfinished.

Other posts in the series
- Series 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
You might also like…
