“Your hands are not hands that kill; they are hands that give life to others.” The line hits even harder looking back at it because it perfectly captures Ed’s growth and his role in guiding Winry away from making a choice she would regret. What makes this episode so powerful on a rewatch is how much depth it adds to the conflict. The Ishvalan War isn’t just a backdrop for the story—it’s the defining tragedy that shaped many of the central characters. It’s why Mustang is determined to rise to power and change the system, why Riza devotes herself to him in hopes of redemption, and why Scar can’t let go of his hatred. “Backs in the Distance” is an episode that lingers, making you sit with the weight of what happened and understand why these characters are the way they are.