When it comes to anime filler, recap episodes are among the most reviled, and for good reason. However, recap episodes don't have to be a waste of time, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood proved that with its own recap episode.

Recap episodes in anime often serve a few very specific purposes. Most importantly, they're cheap to produce, with little new animation required. They can also help fans who might be returning to the series after a long break (say, between seasons) to important plot points and become reacquainted with the characters. Modern anime fans, however, tend to dislike them very heavily; they slow down plot progression and story pacing, all to show them things they've already seen before. This is especially problematic for modern binge-watching, to the point where people will skip recap entirely.

Fullmetal Alchemist Reuses Footage To Emphasize Points

Fullmetal Alchemist's Recap Episode is Used to Establish Character

Episode #27 of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, "Interlude Party," is a recap episode, and many would recommend that fans skip it when streaming the series. However, doing so would be a mistake, as the framing device for the recap centers on Ed and Al's father, Hohenheim, and provides some valuable insight into his character. While many recap episodes use a framing device, it's often little more than an excuse to rerun clips from previous episodes. This episode, however, makes the framing device of Hohenheim the main focus, and instead uses the clips to help emphasize the points that characters are making.

The episode focuses on Hohenheim, who is watching a party take place when he's approached by a young Pinako, Winry's grandmother. They discuss the current state of Amestris, always at war, which is accompanied by clips of Ishval and fighting. That's when Pinako says something surprising, however: she asks Hohenheim about his sons, who couldn't possibly be born yet for her to look so young. There's clearly something more going on in this episode. It subtly references plot points, and as Pinako and Hohenheim discuss their philosophies on life, their words are accompanied by clips ing their arguments.

Hohenheim is then visited by a man who looks suspiciously like him (the being who was only recently revealed as Father), who criticizes humanity. Pinako then refutes this belief, accompanied by scenes depicting the strength of humanity. In this way, the clips are used to reinforce character behavior and beliefs, showing why they think and feel the way that they do. The episode is eventually revealed to be a dream of Hohenheim's, meaning none of it literally happened, but it still provides valuable insight into Hohenheim's character.

Recap Can Provide Surprising Insight into Characters

Giving Scenes New Context Can Alter Their Significance

"Interlude Party" is a bold attempt at a recap episode because it uses the clips from previous episodes in new ways, to show scenes that viewers have already seen before in a new light. It emphasizes the struggle that our heroes have already gone through to make it this far, even with so much further left to go. The episode takes their struggle and makes it beautiful, a portrait of human resiliency and the surprising ingenuity and strength that lies at the heart of our kind. Even in the face of power like that wielded by the Homunculi, the human spirit can be a powerful weapon in its own right.

Better still, it takes a mysterious character like Hohenheim and helps to humanize him; since all that happens is a dream, it shows not only his worries and fears about the darkest parts of human nature, but his confidence in the fight being worthwhile, and a sincere belief that humanity is more than just "resources" to be used, despite all that he has seen in his long life. Hohenheim, though beaten down by tragedy, is still a firm believer in the value of human life, and no matter what struggle lies ahead, he will fight Father's plans to the end.

While one could skip this episode and enjoy the series just fine, they'd be missing out on this valuable insight into Hohenheim's character, as well as a compelling argument in favor of humankind. And unlike most recap episodes, it actually becomes better the more familiar you are with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's story, making it even more enjoyable on the rewatch. It's a strategy that more anime recap episodes should utilize, and turns what could otherwise be a repetitive waste of time into an excellent character moment for one of Fullmetal Alchemist's most complex characters.