Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 42) – Signs of a Counter-Offensive

Marcoh and Mei Chang attempt to decipher Scar’s brother’s work and make a startling discovery. Meanwhile, Pride tells Kimblee to begin the Crest of Blood. He’s hesitant, but there’s more than one way to achieve it!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 42) – Signs of a Counter-Offensive
What happened?
The book that Scar’s brother left for him is starting to frustrate Doctor Marcoh. He knows that there will be a code in there, but that’s not helping them. Then, Alphonse wakes up to find his body in pieces. He was too heavy to carry in one go, so they broke apart and moved him. Now, they just need to put the pieces back together again. That gives Mei Chang an idea.
They place the pages of the book on the floor, connecting them like a puzzle and when they’re done, a transmutation circle like the one that will cover the land is revealed. Marcoh is furious. That’s no help whatsoever. Alphonse gives them the idea to flip the pages which shows them another circle, but this one is based on alkehestry. Could this be the answer they seek?
Meanwhile, Kimblee followed a path deep into the mine and stumbled upon Sloth’s tunnel. Pride appears and tells him the time for the Crest of Blood is now. Kimblee tells Pride that the soldiers of Briggs are too strong and it won’t be easy. So, Pride tells him to use that to his advantage.
Hohenheim arrived in Leore and wanted to see the church where the uprising began. Beneath it, he finds a tunnel, flooded with poisonous water. He continues using alchemy to create a safe path. It leads to Sloth’s tunnel where Pride comes after him. Hohenheim makes it to the edge of Pride’s container and asks him to pass a message on to Father.

What did you think?
Still no Olivier Armstrong, but the show must go on! This was a great episode even though it really didn’t have that much action. A lot of time was spent decoding the book and while that ended up being pretty simple thanks to lots of circumstantial things, it was entertaining. Now, we just need to know what the new alkehestry circle means and how they should use it.
There were a lot of fairly significant events overall as Sloth completed his tunnel. That led to Pride telling Kimblee to get to work on the Crest of Blood. My gut is telling me that Kimblee has no intention of killing the Briggs soldiers, but is actually bringing the enemy forces in under false pretence with the hope that they’ll be wiped out. It shouldn’t matter who’s blood it is, as long as there’s lots of it!

What have you learnt?
I mentioned the lesson learnt by Edward in the last episode and I’m almost inclined to backtrack a little. It’s still a valid lesson, but it could also confirm his ideals if Kimblee ends up turning against the homunculi. I wouldn’t say he’s going to become a good guy, but he could absolutely go rogue and do his own thing entirely. I think this battle at the wall will show us what he’s made of.
It’s always good to have a character that can go in any direction. Kimblee is a monster. There’s no doubting that, but it is possible for him to have a lasting impact on the direction of the story. I’d sooner take an ambiguous character acting in their own interests over a mysterious hero appearing out of nowhere. Saying that it’s about time for Olivier Armstrong to reappear. I’m getting withdrawals…

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
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