whatagrump:sincerestpumpkins:03 vs Brotherhood: The Rockbells (Part 1) Besides the major change re:

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sincerestpumpkins:

03 vs Brotherhood: The Rockbells (Part 1)

Besides the major change re: who actually killed the Rockbells, this gifset also showcases one of the more subtle but vital differences in the way the Ishvalan plot is handled in both series: in 03, Marcoh is the one to explain what the Rockbells did in the war, and in Brotherhood, we learn about them from a group of Ishvalans.

Gut instinct, you might assume that any information provided via the perspective of the Ishvalans is an improvement to the story. But, crucially, this is how we’re learning about two white, Amestrian do-gooders.

In 03, a point isn’t made about the Rockbells being Amestrian (since we know that already), and Marcoh refers to their general neutrality instead of spotlighting how they saved “countless Ishvalans.” The Rockbells are heroic, but their story is less about their bravery and selflessness and more about the depravity of the Amestrian military in contrast. The Rockbells are not remarkably good—the military is just remarkably evil.

On the other side you have Brotherhood, where two Ishvalans tell Ed about the Amestrian doctors who “saved” them and stood their ground no matter “how much the fighting escalated.” We’re getting a very typical white savior storyline, and a special emphasis is being placed on the idea that while the Amestrian military did bad things, “not all Amestrians” are bad.