spoiler alert, but youve probably seen the show already.

theres a scene about 1/2 way through the show were "father" "turns off" the alchemy, yet scar and shingese ppl can still use theirs.

was this ever explained or did i miss the explanation? i feel like even if it was explained it never really came into play again after that

they werent using regular alchemy iirc, but the eastern whatever shit alchemy that borrowed power from earth or something

I assume you've watched the ending of the show, if not please don't read further.

After the annihilation of Xerxes the small glass vial (what eventually becomes father) travels west to Amestris and with him travels his own breed of alchemy, which is largely based on destruction. Van Hohenheim goes east into Shin and with him travels alchemy as well, his own based on healing. Both of the two types of alchemy are independent from each other.

Scar is most likely independent from these two types of alchemy as he only deconstructs, therefore there is no equivalent exchange.

This post was edited by Kippet on Feb 20 2015 07:14am

i got both of those, but i think the part i was more confused about was how father was able to turn off the alchemy throught ameastris.

envy during that scene says "you foolish humans, you get this power and yet you dont even know what it is or where it came from" (paraphrased)
although alchemy was brought to the country by father, that shoudlnt by default give him the power to just take it away.

you're thinking too hard pal, its a kids show. it doesnt need to make sense.

yo. im ok with a few plot holes here and there in any given anime.....

but that one is a bit too big to overlook

I think it's because he's the (iirc) the one equal to God who can do anything he likes
So, why couldn't he do it?

Been too long since I've rewatched it so cannot remember details

Because brotherhood sucks

I think it's because the whole capital had the alchemy symbol.
He can turn off alchemy in that circle because father is feeding everyone the power through that as a medium.

He's like a power plant.
I use electricity at my house. But at any given moment, the power company can shut me off.