The explanation they give for why Ling and his group can sense energy is that the emperors of Xing have to be able to sense the flow of energy in order to best lead their people. The flow of energy in the world is important to the series, like "all is one, one is all", which is much more important thematically and functionally here than it was in the 2003 series. People and even animals show unease around homunculi so I guess it's a sense that all creatures in the series possess, but that can be increased through some sort of training mastered by the Xingese. It's also based on things like Feng Shui and chakra, distinctly eastern philosophies, fitting with the "east vs. west" contrast between Amestris and Xing.

There are some parts I thought were weird the first time I read the series, but there is usually some sort of explanation or precedence to what happens if you look carefully. We see homunculi take over human hosts a couple times in the series, we see humans maintain consciousness even as components of philosopher stones, and we see Edward use his own soul as a philosopher's stone before that as well. I think that part where Ed "invades" Pride is possible because of a combination of  these things, but I haven't read that particular scene in a while so I don't remember exactly what happens.

I think everything that happens in the series does have an explanation and fits the setting and the rules established, even if it's not immediately clear the first time you see it. However, with the metaphysical nature of a lot of the things that happen, there's a lot you have to just accept.

The Brotherhood adaption also cut out a few things here and there that could have made things clearer. I just remembered that they cut out a chunk of the scene where the Truth taunts Father before sealing him back in the Gate, and I got a lot of my understanding of Father's character from that exchange.

Last Edited By: greybob 09/26/11 7:52 PM. Edited 2 times.