Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 35) - The Shape of This Country

Olivier Mira Armstrong drives the homunculus outside and leaves it to sleep until spring. While investigating the hole it made, she makes Edward tell her everything… everything!

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 35) – The Shape of This Country

What happened?

Olivier Armstrong has a plan on how to put the homunculus on ice for a while and for that, she’ll need Edward and Alphonse’s help. Well, not really, but they’ve still got to earn their keep. She uses the tanks to push the homunculus into the elevator. Once there, they take it to the upper levels where Buccaneer, Edward, and Alphonse cover it with tank fuel. Then they force it over the balcony and into the snow. The fuel evaporates quickly, drawing out the homunculus’ body heat, freezing it until the spring.

Edward and Alphonse are taken away and locked up for the night. There’s still more information that they’re holding back and Olivier Armstrong doesn’t like it. Meanwhile, Miles visits the hospital where Kimblee is recovering. He tells Kimblee to leave Scar to them now.

Soon after Miles’ visit General Raven enters the room and tells Kimblee he has work to do. He’s even brought an alchemist doctor with him – the one responsible for changing Fuhrer Bradley!

Meanwhile, Olivier Armstrong takes Edward, Alphonse, and Falman into the hole created by the homunculus. It’s a massive tunnel that seems to go on forever. Edward determines that it doesn’t go to Drachma. Olivier then demands that they tell her everything. They’re far away that no one can listen in. Once, she’s brought up to speed, Edward makes a startling discovery by marking conflicts on the map of Amestris!

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 35 Major General Olivier Mira Armstrong attacks

What did you think?

Well, it looks like Olivier Mira Armstrong has sewn up the best character category for this series. For a while, I was considering Hawkeye, but it’s not even a contest anymore. I love that this has given Edward a chance to confide in her and made them think about what has been happening. The way everything is tied back is excellent. Even back to the first episode where Isaac the Freezer tried to warn them.

The clues have all been there and like Maes Hughes, I predicted it in episode ten. Luckily, Lust didn’t come after me at the time. Anyhow, this is massive, especially now that the final conflict to complete the transmutation circle that covers Amestris is at Fort Briggs. Not to mention the timing of General Raven’s appearance. It’s all about to go down!

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 35 Major General Olivier Mira Armstrong getting the truth

What have you learnt?

So, here’s the map of Amestris with the points marked by Edward. The most fascinating thing about this is that the country has grown over the years, creating the space for this insane transmutational circle to exist. It would appear that Sloth, the homunculus they defeated has been busily digging this tunnel for who knows how long. However, I don’t think that’s the end of it. It looks like the alchemy of Amestris is an artificial construct. My guess is that it’s built off Father’s powers which is why he was able to turn it off.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 35 The Map of Amestris

So, not only have they built up a new nation, they’ve been creating points of conflict and death which likely fuel Father. Could this be what those pipes are for under Central command? It’s almost like a literal Hell with souls trapped beneath the ground being used to fuel alchemy. That makes for some crazy implications to everyone’s powers if it’s true. This series is just getting better and better.

Also, shout out to Izumi – the only person to terrorise Fort Brigg in its history, stealing a month’s supply of food.