Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 8) - The Fifth Laboratory

Edward and Alphonse investigate the mysterious fifth laboratory and are attacked by a couple of guards in suits of armour. Just what is this place and what are they doing here? It’s supposed to be abandoned!

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 8) – The Fifth Laboratory

What happened?

Inside the laboratory, Edward finds evidence of human sacrifices and a large Transmutation Circle. Before he can examine, however, he’s attacked by a man in a suit of armour. When Edward fights back, he realises that the suit is empty and this is someone like Alphonse. The suit was impressed and reveals that he was a murderer who was sentenced to death, but instead of dying, his soul was bonded to this suit of armour.

Meanwhile, outside the laboratory, Alphonse has been attacked by another suit of armour. This one was a little disappointed at Alphonse’s reaction when he removed his head. Of course, Alphonse is no stranger to this and removed his head, prompting a freakish response from his attacker.

Edward soon discovers that the suit he is fighting is actually two souls in one suit and his only hope is to use the destructive skill he witnessed from Scar. Realising that they have been beaten the suit of armour decides to tell Edward everything it knows. That’s when Lust arrives and quickly destroys it. Envy takes care of the body and then incapacitated Edward when his arm malfunctions.

Lust destroys the laboratory while Envy takes Edward to Alphonse, Maria, and Denny outside before disappearing. They are no closer to the philosopher’s stone or understanding what is going on, but they have been able to confirm that something sinister is at play.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 8 Edward losing blood

What did you think?

Well, it looks like things are far more complicated and connected than they first appeared. Now, I believe that Lust, Envy, and Gluttony are somehow connected to the military. Could they be the force that ensures that peace is never achieved, guaranteeing the military’s survival? It certainly looks that way. I’m also wondering what Roy’s angle is and whether he’s aware of things that are going on and working his way up to make changes or whether he’s just career driven.

Either way, it was a great episode. I loved the way Barry the Butcher got into Alphonse’s head and planted the seeds of doubt about his own existence. Of course, Alphonse didn’t want to believe it, but it’s going to be a nagging thought at the back of his head, especially as it’s something that would be almost impossible to prove.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 8 Lust silences a suit

What have you learnt?

So, we’ve learnt that the military is somehow connected to Lust, Envy, and Gluttony. We know that they are setting up a religious war and I believe they were probably behind the Ishval conflict too. All these extra deaths are going to be a great help in producing a complete philosopher’s stone. That seems to be the main goal here and it’s not just Edward’s dream.

They could keep using prisoners, but that would take too long. A war would give them what they need at a much faster rate and ensure that the military is needed. Ultimately, the goal of the military should be to make itself obsolete, but as we see with so many things, once someone has attained power, it’s very hard to give it up. Armstrong was right when he spoke of political implications in the last episode. This series is getting more and more interesting.