This disagreement leads Archer to literally stab Shirou in the back, attempting to kill him to eliminate what he views as a dangerous, naive ideology. Key Servant Encounters
He believes a hero must save everyone and refuses to align with Caster because she uses innocent people as mana sources. Fate Stay Night Episode 7
Critics often point out that Archer’s "ends-justify-the-means" mentality is a mirror of Shirou’s adoptive father, Kiritsugu Emiya, further complicating Shirou's internal struggle with his father's legacy. This disagreement leads Archer to literally stab Shirou
He argues that "saving everyone" is an impossible dream. He intentionally lets Caster go, believing she will grow strong enough to defeat the greater threat, Berserker, even if it costs innocent lives in the process. He argues that "saving everyone" is an impossible dream
Despite his duty, Assassin allows Saber to escape with a wounded Shirou because he is moved by her compassion and desires a more "honorable" future duel. Character & Lore Developments
Realizing his current weakness after the encounter with Archer, Shirou finally asks Saber to train him in swordsmanship so he can defend his own ideals.
For more detailed breakdowns, you can check community discussions on Reddit's anime forum or read episodic reviews on sites like The Glorio Blog .