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

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

You are NOT the only one re: Roy/Riza. There are just so many unresolved storylines (even if they're minor!) And Ling looks so...aloof and...unhappy in his last photo. GAH.

And yeah, that was my thought, too - WTH regarding the alchemy? Ed? Did you actually destroy it? No? Yes? Just yours? Just yours and Al's? WHAAT? Was it all filtered through Father like I suggested some time ago? No? GAH.

WHY DIDN'T WE GET WINRY GETTING HER EARRINGS BACK. I see them in her final scene with Ed. *pouts*

Yeah, Ed, if you didn't let Winry know, you deserve the beating she's surely going to be offering you.

Notice Ed doesn't stay in Rezembool. He goes away again...but obviously returns. *cough*

I already MISS it. How sad is that?

[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.

[enemytosleep]

Still trying to come to terms with it, but overall I was very disappointed. Guess I'll have to just get over myself (it's not like she's going to rewrite it if I ask, right? XD).

[anat-astarte.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I would have liked 10 more pages too *sniffle*

That does it, I'm ordering in tonight.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I'll be curious to see what you were disappointed in.

My only real disappointment was a good resolution for Roy but since he's not really the main character...

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

these weren't very solid thoughts to be honest.

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

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Royai really deserved more than they got in this. Hell it made it sound like at some point Roy and Olivia will go to war or kill each other once Grumman is dead/decrepit

Ling did look miserable

Glad I wasn't teh only confused one. It must be just Ed's (even though it didn't sound that way) or Roy would still be blind

It would have been nice to see Ed return the earrings. Winry got gypped

I did notice Ed didn't stay in Resembol and yes Ed was a real dick for not letting her know. I'mnot sure that's a proper surprise

yeah gonna miss this lots

[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

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

or maybe a gaiden. That would be nice. Roy and Riza REALLY need some kind of resolution.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Al is so fussy! It's great. And I loved him eating chips, aka fries.

Ed just lost his alchemy, no one else's. Still, poor Ed.

I agree with you that Roy and Riza needed a few more pages, and I was surprised to see Roy and Olivia take their retreats so well. Needs moar Roy. But I would say that.

A tad more Winry and a reminder that she's a genius working at the top of her profession as well as an adorable wife-and-mom-to-be might have been nice. But hey. And Ed's proposal fail was hilarious.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Al is totally fussy (see if I could believe one of the Elrics were gay, it's Al)

Well that's what I was thinking but Ed's speech made it sound like everyone was going to.

Roy and Riza just disappear. We get more of what Rebecca is doing than we do of them at the end. I mean their picture was somehow depressing

I agree about Winry

Ed's proposal fail was one for the books

and hi. Haven't had a chance to talk to you much in the past few weeks

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Gay/bi of course doesn't have to mean fussy - but I can believe Al as one of those nice straight dudes who gets mistaken for gay and uses it to his advantage when trying to score with girls. XD

Roy does make General (I counted his pips) in that photo. I loved seeing Rebecca get face time if only for message delivery, but yeah, not at the cost of Roy and Riza.

Hello! I've been a bit quiet recently. My grandmother died so I've been doing some family stuff, and it's been end of term too. I'm back and have some fic to post (NSI is done but I didn't post yet because of early 108 spoilers everywhere). Sounds like you had a great time at ELD's.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh true. Many of my gay friends are as slobby as me. I can also believe that of Al.

Yeah, even at teh end, isn't that her in the background with Havoc and Breda? While poor Roy/Riza look like they're at a funeral. Grummans?

I'm really sorry to hear about your grandmother. You have my sympathies.

I did have a good time both there and in Denver. Took my stuff back to the school today and literally NO ONE was excited about what i Had learned...

I held off posting too after people started b eing asshats. I need to go put the comms back on my list. but you know what I think i'll let it calm down and put them on next week

did just put up a short Roy/Christmas at the fic contest

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

That's Maria Ross. Sadly! I like to think it was Rebecca holding the camera. XD

Thanks.

Glad you had a great time at the conference.

Yeah, exactly. I thought a post-manga fic would be a temptation for some and I didn't want anyone's reading experience ruined by a stray comment.

Oooh. I'm off for the weekend to a wedding but I'll have to look when I can!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

is it? Well I can believe that too (another one I've paired Havoc with...and oddly Gracia once)

yes it would have been tempting some people were being total jerks

ah I was wondering why you were up at some ungodly hour. enjoy the wedding

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my immediate thought when Olivia wanted Scar on her side and that Roy would be upset was that (a) roy can't use alchemy any more, either and (b) Olivia wants an alkahestry user in her pocket for a future takedown.

Winry coud've used some more scenes. Royai could've used some more scenes. I would've liked to have seen some Al In Xing scenes. (Oh, already saw someone boohooing that Al and Ed go their separate ways - "But what about their incestuous brotherly love?!?!")

Ed didn't stay in Rezembool but it certainly looks like he came back. :D

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yes I definitely got the impression that Olivia and Roy will be at loggerheads in the future.

Winry definitely. Royai definitely. Hahaha to the end of Elricest. Hell the brothers aren't even in the same countries for years potentially

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It's so...iffy, that Roy + Olivia dynamic.

That just opens up the way for Ling/Al stories? *ducks*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

well yes, Al is probably enjoying threesomes and moresomes in XIng

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

And Ran Fan's still thinking, "At least it's not the OTHER one."

[ishte.livejournal.com]

I agree that I would have liked to have seen at the very least a brief snapshot of the resolution between Roy and Riza. I mean it's so obvious, and I would have liked to have seen it address. However, if it's said that Roy has to wait to be Führer, then I guess his resolution with Riza might also have to wait.

Gruman and Mrs. Bradley hook up? haha Who knew.

I ♥ Ed's stupid "I don't know what the hell I'm doing" proposal to Winry. I have to say that I kind of thought it was a drag that she's reduced to waiting for him again and that she's content with that. Also, that first "Officially Sanctioned" kiss would have been nice too.

I had a feeling you ground your teeth to paste just because Mei showed up in the photo of her and Al standing behind Ed, Winry and their babies. YAY for Ed's babies! Thank goodness he looks a lot happier and more confident than his father did in similar circumstances. Though I think he's holding his son in about the same way! hahaha. If it's any consolation to you, you can notice that they aren't standing shoulder to shoulder. Mei seems to be taller than Ed too. I wonder if she's standing on a box.

[ishte.livejournal.com]

I think Ling is just trying to look grand and regal and you know... serious. hahaha... probably looses that face as soon as he emerges into his private quarters.

[ishte.livejournal.com]

P.S. I don't think Ed was rebuilding a house. I think he ws repairing the roof on the Rockbell house. I was amused that after hitting his thumb one too many times with the hammer he decided to give Alchemy a try. The fact that he didn't really swear about it, (thumb or no alchemy) indicates that he's grown up a bit (a lot). I suspect he hasn't remembered the back door that he and Al exited through. I'd be willing to bet it will eventually occur to him to try it.

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

I hope so but, as COM pointed out, running a country is hard work. That may be Ling's face now.

[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.

[ishte.livejournal.com]

Really, Winry's acceptance fail was just as much fun though.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh yes

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

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

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Well I had considered that if Roy has to wait to be fuhrer he has to wait for Riza too which sucks for him

Yeah Grumman and Mrs. Bradley...could hve honestly done without that scene

I would have liked a first kiss but at least we know they marry and have babies.

Yes there were burst blood vessels and Mei on a box crossed my mind