Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 5) – Rain of Sorrows
Edward struggles to come to terms with what happened to Nina and how there was nothing he could do to help her. He starts to question the path he’s taken, but then a mysterious man shows up and he’s not the questioning type!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 5) – Rain of Sorrows
What happened?
Edward had a nightmare in which he saw his mother and Nina. Unable to help them has become a tiresome burden on his soul. All he can do is see what will happen to Shou Tucker and how will the military handle Nina. When he goes to get some answers, he bumps into Riza Hawkeye who is on her way to Tucker’s house. She informs him that Shou and Nina were both murdered.
Riza meets with Roy Mustang at the scene of the crime. Alex Louis Armstrong and Maes Hughes are already there discussing the situation. They bring Roy and Riza up to speed and implore Roy to lay low as this murderer is targeting State Alchemists. That’s when Roy remembers that Edward is still in the city.
Edward and Alphonse, however, are blissfully unaware of what dangers they face until a mysterious scarred man approaches and attacks Edward. Alphonse pulls him to safety at the last second and they try to run. The attacker is quick and able to destroy things with his touch, not unlike an alchemist.
He breaks up Alphonse’s suit of armour and then Edward’s arm. However, they managed to buy enough time for the military to catch up. Roy goes to challenge the murderer, but Riza saves him at the last second. It’s raining and he’s basically useless when it rains. Luckily, Alex Louis Armstrong is on hand to fight. They have the murderer surrounded and have discovered that he is an Ishavaly. However, he escapes into the sewers.
What did you think?
I thought this was a great episode. I’m glad that they didn’t just move on from the Shou Tucker incident and gave Edward some time to process what had happened and how it impacted him. He seemed like he was ready to quit on numerous occasions, the last time when he seemed resigned to die at the hands of Scar. Can I just say that I understand why they would call him Scar between themselves, but when addressing him, it seemed a bit bizarre!
Alex Louis Armstrong continues to be a great source of entertainment while Roy is essentially a hothead with nothing to back it up so far. I’m sure he’s powerful, but the rain causing him issues is a fairly big weakness. Especially as it seems to rain fairly often there, at least from what we’ve seen so far. There was a lot of progression with the Ishval side of things, which had only been hinted at before now. We just need to see what Lust, Gluttony, and Envy are up to… and where the other four deadly sins are!
What have you learnt?
For a story to have a satisfying high point, it must first go low. These last couple of episodes have shown Edward and Alphonse on a tragic descent. It’s classic storytelling and it works. I get the sense that there will be a lot of highs and lows in this season given how long it is and each time, they will be bigger and more shocking.
The other main thing I’m wondering is whether Edward and Alphonse have found themselves on the right side. You’ve got to worry about a military organisation where the leader’s title is fuhrer… I feel like it will probably end up being a little less clear cut than it seems, but I hope there’s lots of questioning the status quo which will lead to startling discoveries. Also, curious about what Lust, Gluttony, and Envy are since they don’t seem to consider themselves humans! Lots of questions is always the sign of a good show!
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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It’s pretty interesting reading this because I’ve not seen Brotherhood yet but I did see the original FMA years ago and did find it rather odd how abruptly the Nina situation was kind of moved ahead from. That episode is critical because it just goes to such abject depths of darkness you cannot foresee. Your article made me want to go back and watch FMAB now. Thanks for that. Very well written! Oh and I love Armstrong too!
Thanks. I haven’t seen the original either so it’s all new to me, other than the various things that have spread online. It was a really dark moment and needed some time to reflect, especially for Edward who was probably the driving force behind their attempt to resurrect their mother. Thanks for reading and Armstrong is awesome.