That night, Episodes 21 and 22 of Fullmetal Alchemist aired back to back!
Episode 21 was fine, but Episode 22's plot was explosive. It revealed the truth about the female lead Winry's parents' horrific deaths in Ishval, and the massacre of Scar's people by alchemists. After Scar's brother gave his life to save him, Scar woke from his grievous injuries and went mad, killing Winry's parents. The tangled relationship between Winry, Scar, and the Elric brothers, along with the story's many metaphors for war and hatred...
The content and depth of this episode were undoubtedly a high point in the story so far!
And the biggest difference between Fullmetal Alchemist and other works was becoming increasingly clear!
The anime had only aired a little over twenty episodes, yet viewers who'd made it this far couldn't find a single person who was entirely good or entirely evil in the whole story!
Scar had killed countless people, but no viewer who put themselves in his shoes could claim they'd feel more compassion for human life than he did!
Edward belonged to the alchemist faction, but the show had made it clear that many State Alchemists were dangerous people who had no respect for human life!
At the end of Episode 22, Winry pointed a gun at Scar, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to shoot him. Then Edward told her:
"You delivered a baby in Rush Valley, saving both mother and child. You gave me the automail that let me stand again."
"Your hands aren't for killing. They're for saving people."
As the ending theme kicked in at just the right moment and Winry broke down sobbing in Edward's arms,
the screen filled with danmu about how moving the Fullmetal Alchemist anime was!
"These two episodes hit so hard!"
"It