Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 47) – Emissary of Darkness

Edward catches up with Hohenheim and demands to be told everything. It’s quite the shock even to Greed, but they will fight together. Father must be stopped. Then, Alphonse shows up, and he’s not alone!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 47) – Emissary of Darkness
What happened?
Grumman and Miles continue to search for the remains of Fuhrer Bradley’s body, however, there’s no sign of it. Miles is concerned that they need to push on as the Promised Day is tomorrow. Concerned that he will not be able to sleep until he finds the remains, Grumman decides to stay and personally oversee the search. Miles is concerned that Grumman is planning on letting Mustang and Armstrong take the fall so that he can swoop in at the end, but agrees to go on.
Edward arrived in a small makeshift town outside of Central and found Hohenheim. After punching him, Edward demands to know what he knows. Hohenheim agrees to tell them everything. Edward is shocked. He’s not taking it as well as Alphonse did. Regardless, they will work together to stop Father. Before leaving, Edward passes on a message – his mother’s final words.
Darius and Heinkel give Edward a hard time for treating his old man in such a manner. Even Greed has something to say about it. Edward said that Hohenheim wasn’t what he was expecting and that was all. Anyhow, they set off to Central but don’t get very far before running into Alphonse. However, it’s not Alphonse and Ling is the first to notice, taking control of his body to warn Edward.
Pride reveals himself and chastises Greed for turning his back on them. Edward was about to attack, but then Pride revealed that it was Alphonse’s real body. How can he fight him without destroying Alphonse? After a lot of running and dodging, Edward uses alchemy to short the electricity and plunge them into darkness. Without light, Pride cannot create his shadows. If only Pride was all they had to worry about!

What did you think?
I’m just going to say it and move on, Edward is still incredibly annoying. I thought that he would mature and tone things down, but he hasn’t. He’s a bit of a jerk too. Anyhow, this episode was incredible. Pride using Alphonse’s body was insane and amazingly creepy. I knew that as soon as it was dark, the chimaera would have an advantage, but then Gluttony showed up. That gave Ling a chance to show Greed that he was powerful on his own as he could sense the homunculi.
However, as amazing as all that was, it was just before the ending that we got to see something incredible. Admittedly, we didn’t see it at first, but it was impressive all the same. Then, when Lan Fan stopped and revealed herself it was like she was a badass Predator and her new automail arm was just as cool. I don’t even care that this fight is spilling into the next episode. Give me more!

What have you learnt?
This is why you allow characters to be knocked back or leave the group. They can come back stronger and better than ever. It’s even more spectacular if they do it in a similar manner to Lan Fan where it’s not instantly obvious who they are. Everyone will be wondering who this cool new character is and then it’s revealed to be someone they know and may have forgotten about. Doing it this way is far better than just randomly introducing a new character.
One thing that a good editor will look for when going over a manuscript is whether all of the characters are necessary. Oftentimes, they are not. Sure, they could have been saved by someone new, but it makes a bigger impact than if we see a character return from their darkest moment to save another character from certain peril. Obviously, you’re going to want some variety in the story so don’t merge the roles too much. As with anything, it’s about finding a balance.

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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