Episode 6, "Road of Hope"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Edward and Alphonse head back to their hometown of Risembool, escorted by Alex Louis Armstrong. On their way, they meet Dr. Marcoh, a researcher into the military’s own efforts to create the Philosopher’s Stone, who gives Edward a hint as to where to find his research. In their hometown, Winry and Pinako work on a new automail arm for Ed and adjustments for his leg. They leave with the comfort of knowing they have a place to come back to.
Episode 5, "Rain of Sorrow"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: The mysterious man, Scar, who kills State Alchemists, targets Edward as he tries to recover from his grief over Nina. Ed and Al flee from the powerful man, and are assisted by Roy, Major Armstrong, Riza, and others, who discover that Scar is an Ishbalan, part of a race that was all but extinguished by the military years earlier. Scar escapes under fire. Ed, his automail arm destroyed, and Alphonse’s armor body damaged, have no choice but to return to Risembool for Winry’s help.
Episode 4, "An Alchemist’s Distress"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: While a mysterious scarred man kills State Alchemists, Ed and Al are introduced to Shou Tucker, the "Life-Sewing Alchemist", an expert in chimeras, and his young daughter Nina. Edward researches, but takes time to play with Nina, as well. Tucker frets over his upcoming assessment, and makes a tragic decision leading to an abomination, much to the horror of the brothers. However, vengeance is metted out by the mysterious man.
Episode 3, “The Town of Heresy”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: In the town of Lior, the Elric brothers learn of a preist named Cornello who can perform "miracles". Investigating, they discover that the man is a fraud, using what seems to be a Philosopher’s Stone to bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange. Confronting him, they also expose his deception to the townspeople. Edward defeats Cornello, who goes into hiding, only to be killed by two mysterious figures.
Comments:
Well, I didn’t know that the first two chapters of Fullmetal Alchemist could be fit into one single episode so well. Covering most of the major points, without belaboring them with needless expository dialogue (which, because they already explained alchemy, is unnecessary for this episode), and having Ed and Al meet Rose at the church instead of at the little food stand, they did everything in a suitable fashion and at a reasonable pace.
Episode 2, "The Day Of The Beginning"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: On a train bound for the town of Lior, Edward reflects on the past that led him and his brother to this point. Years earlier, in the town of Risembool, Ed and Al learned alchemy to impress their mother, but she passed away, making them determined to break alchemy’s greatest taboo, human transmutation. After studying as much as they can, the brothers performed the transmutation, but instead of creating their mother, they create an abomination, and the price they pay at the end is and arm and a leg from Ed and Al’s entire body. Resolving to join the military to do research on how to restore their bodies, Edward is fitted with artificial "auto mail" limbs and passes an examination that results in his certification as a State Alchemist. Years later, Ed and Al near Lior.
