Goodbye to a wonderful series

[cornerofmadness]

It took an hour to even click on the link. Figures this comes out right when I’m all hormonal and weepy to begin with. You can’t start crying before you even start reading.

As I’ve said to many people, I’m not ready for Fullmetal Alchemist to end. Other shows I’ve loved, Buffy, X-Files, Angel, Star Trek (all of them) had gotten tired by the end. Hell the first three on the list had gotten painful to watch. I was ready for them to go. I’m not. But this can’t be like Avatar the last Airbender which I haven’t watched the finale in over a year so it won’t end. I’ve armed myself with the goodies I bought yesterday, cherries, tea and good brie. I’m as ready as I’m going to get So here goes, my unfiltered brain as I read.

1. Ed beating up Father is impressive
2. Father swelling up like a tick is highly disturbing.
3. I’m glad I predicted Father would steal Greed’s stone but I’m shocked at Ling trying to hold on
4. I liked that Greed turned on him
5. Father’s final end was WAY quicker than I expected and strange and I’m not sure how I feel about it. It was almost too quiet.
6. the panel with them kneeling next to what is left of Al’s armor was tough to look at
7. I have to admit I’m shocked Ling offered up the philosopher’s stoe. Not that I didn’t think he wasn’t Al’s friend but because he has been out for himself all this time and he admits it.
8. At this point Ed, the stone is made, just use it
9. Roy does seem to really understand Edward
10. No surprise Hohenheim offers up his own life. No surprises it made me well up
11. Ed looking at the Gate…thinking to self, oh crap. I did NOT want her to go the route of destroying all alchemy. Not only does it make no sense, how presumptuous is it of Edward to rob people of their power for his own gain?
12. or is he only giving up HIS alchemy? That would make more sense…only not. This is supposed to be science not magic
13. poor skeletal Alphonse with all those people looking at him
14. okay I didn’t expect Hoho to live, seriously
15. Aw Al’s first touch. Don’t worry Al, pretty soon you’ll be aching hungry have cramps, fevers and wish you were armor again
16. Hoho did you just run off again? WTF?
17. Ed you gave Selim back to his Mom. WTF?
18. Didn’t expect to see Knox again
19. I DID expect Marcoh to show up and give Roy back his eyes. Him or Mei and I was praying it wasn’t Mei
20. Frankly Ling, I doubt Greed rubbed off on you. You were always greedy. You were the perfect host body
21. pg 72. Al….dude, is ANYONE going to give me some fucking clothes or what?
22. how did Hoho get to Resembol that fast? Fly? Did days pass? Are you dying after all?
23. What are you up to Olivia?
24. The Ishbalan religion is important to Miles? Who knew?
25. I’m not sure why Olivia thinks Roy will be frightened of Miles or is she planning on going up against Roy? Honestly, wouldn’t surprise me but I wouldn’t want to see it either
26. hey Al, you got a hair cut and clothing. Bet you’re happy. And look how fussy your clothing is. Not a surprise
27. You didn’t call her Ed? I hope Winry beats the hell out of you with Alphonse’s crutch then beats him
28. What a gorgeous shot of the three of them hugging.
29. Hmmm Roy is doing everything that I’ve always predicted him doing. Cool
30. Hmmm ELD is right. Ed IS rebuilding a house back in Resembol. Frankly I didn’t think he’d be into that
31. Pg 91, Ed is really looking like his father
32. 2 years has gone by thanks for that bit of reference though I honestly didn’t think Grumman would be fuhrer. EVER. Not once did I think that. Wow. Never thought Olivia and Roy would retreat back to their original positions. I don’t think I’ve ever written a future fic with Roy back in the East though ELD has
33. Pride is growing up human?????????
34. Al visiting Elicia and Gracia…even fussier. Geez
35. Al going to Xing, no surprise there to be honest. Just don’t marry Mei (god why didn’t she just die)
36. Ed, was that a half assed marriage proposal?
37. UGH Apparently Al hooks up with Mei but at least Ed and Winry have two kids. Who the fuck knows about Roy and Riza. Havoc gets to walk again. Hohenheim gets his wish to be with Trisha in the end. Ling gets to be emperor.
38. Didn’t cry until the last page. Go me


Wow. I have to say this, in many ways, wasn’t how I expected things to end. As far as Ed and Al are concerned, it was beautifully done. I would have liked 10 more pages at least to give more time to Roy and Riza, to Hohenheim and to poor Winry who really seemed rather shortshrifted here. But I can’t really complain. After seeing so many piss poor endings to series in my lifetime, this was a good way to end. But did Al lose HIS alchemy too? Did everyone? I never could tell and that bothered me. I’m assuming just Ed (since Marcoh cured Roy and someone helped Havoc) and I didn’t like the assumption of Al’s that alchemy hurt people. Yes, it did but it also helped and maybe I’m reading too much into it but it seemed like a bit of a sour note for something that had defined the brothers for so long. Goodbye Amestris. I’ll miss visiting you. At least we all know I’m good for many more years of fanfic. I’ve already started on Hero Tales so we shall see.

ETA - So reading over other reviews, so far every single one plus the commenters are disappointed in the lack of resolution for Roy and Riza. I'm so glad I'm not the only one

Comments

[mjules.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to go back and read it later, but you know me, once Al got some clothes, all I could do was keep repeating, "Wow, Al's hot..."

But yes, my thoughts haven't completely solidified yet. I suspect it might take some time.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

these weren't very solid thoughts to be honest.

and I have no doubt that's what you were saying

[enemytosleep]

Mostly I was upset by how quick and neat it was. Except for the parts she didn't address (like: Why did Roy lose his sight in the first place anyway? Why did Selim survive after Father died? Why didn't Hoho get to atone for some of his mistakes and sacrifice himself for his sons, especially when he went and died anyway?). Ling looking so grumpy as emperor pains me. I would have been happier with him all :D though I still am not a real fan of Emperor Ling at all.

But I am still trying to wrap my head around it. I'll try rereading it in a few days and see how it feels then.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

well yes to all of those things. I didn't expect to see much in the way of resolution for why Roy got penalized in the first place. It pained me more that we never get to see him agian after he visits knox.I would rather have had that than the grumman/mrs bradley thing

So...is it Selim or is that reborn Kimbley. Something to think about.

Yeah Ling doesn't look happy and often that's why I put Olivia over Roy as fuhrer. I want roy to be happy and frankly I don't see that happening. Look how ranty Obama is getting and so quickly. Leading blows.

I did think Hoho dying so fast was a cheat. He really ends up dying a lousy father

[ishte.livejournal.com]

I almost wish that Al had kept his pony tail too though. hehehe. Maybe it was too much trouble while he was recovering his strength.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i was definitely disappointed Al went with short hair...ditto Riza