Ep 29. Struggle of the Fool

It's another day in the land of Amestris and there is a lot happening in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Season 1 episode 29 is titled 'Struggle of the Fool'. This episode is one of the most intense and action-packed episodes of the anime series so far.

In this episode, a new character is introduced: Solf J. Kimblee. He is a State Alchemist who is assigned to work under Major General Olivier Armstrong. Kimblee is a bit of a psychopath. He is very skilled at alchemy and loves to blow things up just for the fun of it. From the onset, it is clear that he is not someone to be trifled with.

Kimblee has different ideas from the other State Alchemists about how they should deal with the insurgency. The other alchemists want to use brute military force to crush the rebellion while Kimblee suggests a more subtle approach that involves isolating the rebels' leaders and convincing them to abandon their fight. In this episode, we see his plan being put into action.

Meanwhile, the Elric brothers are having a rough time. They have been sent to a mining town as part of their mission, but things have gone south. Ed and Al have uncovered a conspiracy involving a doctor who is tricking the miners into thinking they are sick so that he can make money off the medicine he sells them. The doctor is also doing experiments on prisoners, which is against the law. In the course of their investigation, Ed and Al end up being captured by the doctor and his henchmen.

As they try to escape, Al gets separated from Ed, who is left to fend for himself against the goons. Things are not looking good for our hero. With the help of some unexpected allies and his quick thinking, Ed manages to escape and rejoin his brother. Meanwhile, Al has met some new friends who might just be able to help them out.

This episode is not just about explosions and daring escapes. It also delves into the characters' motivations and relationships. For example, there is a scene between Ling Yao and his bodyguard Fu. Ling has been acting rather strangely lately, and Fu suspects that he is being possessed by a demon. Ling assures him that he is in control, but we can't be sure. It's clear that the two have a deep connection and Fu is very protective of Ling.

Another example is the interaction between Armstrong and Kimblee. They disagree about the best way to deal with the insurgency, but they still respect each other's abilities. Armstrong has a reputation for being one of the strongest State Alchemists, and Kimblee is impressed by her strength. He is also slightly creepy towards her, which she brushes off as if it's nothing.

The animation in this episode is top-notch, as usual. The fight scenes are fluid and dynamic. The use of color is also impressive, with warm shades of orange and red contrasting with cool blue and green tones. The use of shadows and lighting is also masterful, creating a sense of tension and drama.

Overall, 'Struggle of the Fool' is a thrilling and thought-provoking episode. It sets up a lot of plot threads that will be explored in future episodes and leaves the viewer wanting more. For those who have been following the series so far, this episode is a great way to see their favorite characters in action and learn more about their motivations and relationships. For newcomers, it's a good introduction to the world of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.