Ep 17. Cold Flame

As the title suggests, "Cold Flame" offers an episode filled with a lot of heat and color, spiced with a fair bit of action and drama as well. The episode begins with Mustang, still trying to dig his way out of the conspiracy that he's tangled up in, working his way up the chain of command in the military to uncover the truth. However, he soon finds himself stymied by a pair of high-ranking officers who seem to know more than they're letting on.

At the same time, the Elric brothers are continuing their search for the philosopher's stone, with Alphonse eager to find a way to restore his lost body. They decide to take a break from their travels and visit an old friend and mentor, Shou Tucker, who has a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a mad scientist. However, things quickly go wrong when they discover that Tucker has been continuing his horrifying experiments on his own daughter, Nina. It's a heartbreaking sequence, one that sees the Elrics confronting the reality that not all of their problems can be solved with alchemy.

Elsewhere, Scar is continuing his own quest for revenge, hunting down State Alchemists in an attempt to make them pay for their crimes against his people. He's already taken several lives, but his latest target proves to be more than he bargained for when the State Alchemist in question turns out to be no less than Mustang's trusted right-hand man, Lt. Hawkeye. Despite the odds being stacked against her, Hawkeye proves to be a fierce opponent, one who's willing to do whatever it takes to protect her comrades and her country.

As all of these threads come together, the episode builds towards a tense, action-packed conclusion. Mustang confronts the officers who have been keeping him in the dark, and he finally starts to learn the truth about the conspiracy that he's been trying to unravel. Meanwhile, Scar and Hawkeye face off in a brutal battle, one that leaves them both with serious injuries. And the Elrics, still reeling from their encounter with Tucker, set off on the road once more, even more determined than ever to find a way to restore Alphonse's body and put things right.

Overall, "Cold Flame" is an episode that balances several different storylines and tones, weaving together elements of drama, action, and tragedy to create something that's both emotional and exciting. It's a testament to the strength of the show's writing that it's able to juggle all of these different elements without ever feeling cluttered or overstuffed. And as always, the animation and direction are top-notch, capturing both the visceral thrills of the battles and the quieter moments of introspection and despair.

For viewers who have been following the show up until this point, "Cold Flame" is an episode that's sure to leave them hungry for more. It's a turning point for several of the show's characters, setting them on paths that will eventually lead to some of the most thrilling and heartbreaking moments of the series. And for those who haven't yet discovered the joys of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, this episode is a perfect showcase for what makes the show so special: a well-crafted story, unforgettable characters, and a masterful blend of action and emotion.