Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 61) – He Who Would Swallow God

Father consumed God. Amestris was dead! Only those in the inner circle remained and one of those was ready for just this occasion. Hohenheim had been waiting for this moment and was ready to counter Father’s plans.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 61) – He Who Would Swallow God
What happened?
Father fell back into his throne a changed person. He had consumed the souls of all of Amestris and then devoured God. Edward couldn’t believe it. Surely, it wasn’t possible. Hohenheim was calmer. He knew that it was possible and was ready for this occasion. Father laughed at his attempts to stop him. He had the power of a god after all.
However, Hohenheim has spent the years preparing for this occasion. Everywhere he went was calculated. Every time, he spilt his own blood on the ground it was to create a transmutation circle that could rival Father’s. He just needed a circle and Father pointed out that would be too much. Of course, Hohenheim had made preparations for that too. He would use the shadow of the moon!
Hohenheim’s transmutation circle ripped the souls from Father’s body, freeing them from the philosopher’s stone and returning them to their bodies. With the power of the philosopher’s stone gone, it was just a matter of time before the power he had consumed from god would destroy Father.
The next step was to free the alchemists from the barrier that Father had created. Luckily, Scar had the answer to that thanks to his brother’s research. He just had to defeat King Bradley to get the chance to activate it.

What did you think?
This was an amazing episode, however, I feel like it reversed a lot of the things that came together in the last episode a little too quickly. We’d just spent sixty episodes watching Father’s plans unfold and while Hohenheim has been working in the shadows I didn’t think we had enough time to really appreciate the fact that he had killed everyone in Amestris. I would have liked it to be a bit harder than Hohenheim just pulling a surprise on Father like that.
The fight between Bradley and Scar was excellent. It absolutely felt like two desperate men fighting with everything they had. Bradley even caught the shattered blade of his sword in his mouth since his arms had been cut off and drove it into Scar’s abdomen. I’m glad we also learnt what Scar’s brother’s transmutation circle was for. And now Father is on the move, desperate to create a new philosopher’s stone before his is completely depleted.

What have you learnt?
Kimblee is a monster, but he sticks to his guns like nobody else. It was amazing that he maintained his awareness within the philosopher’s circle because of his sadistic manner. Even more interesting was how annoyed he was at Pride who was not as committed to his values. Kimblee had more respect for Edward because of his stringent adherence to his beliefs.
It was interesting that Edward left Pride in his original form. At this stage, it’s unlikely that this will come back to bite him, but Edward hasn’t learnt anything from the ordeal with Envy. I admire Edward’s resolve, but I wish he had learnt to distinguish between when to go hard and when to hold back. An arbitrary rule can become a weakness once someone learns of it. If the hero doesn’t learn or adapt through the story that it feels like their development is incomplete. They didn’t need to go on a journey as they were right all along.

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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