If the Emperor really wanted to arrange a date for Jinshi and Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries, he didn’t really have to go through all that trouble. However, here he is, taking them through this ancient shrine for colorblind sons of the royal lineage. Not only does it tickle Maomao’s fancy but also Jinshi’s knack for uncovering secrets. When I first read the Shrine of Choosing in the manga, it had been this intellectually stimulating arc that felt like it brought everyone involved closer.
Maomao could witness the Empreror’s softer side, watching him jest and laugh in ways she otherwise wouldn’t see him indulging in. Being the Emperor, he has a certain stature to uphold. When his brother and perhaps the oldest eunuch of the Rear Palace are present before them, it can only be expected for him to let loose from time to time.
The Apothecary Diaries has buried skeletons
The opening sequence of the episode sees Jinshi accidentally stumbling upon the previous Emperor. His smile sent chills down my spine. While it is yet to be revealed why he was so lowly regarded, it is almost obvious what his crimes were seeing that Lady Lishu was his concubine before the current Emperor took her under his wing for protection. His crimes were many and witnesses even more.
My anxiety levels were through the roof, waiting for someone to get him before he got to the innocent child that was Jinshi. Even then he did not realize who the man before him was, later on finding out that it was his father. This was only a glimpse of how complicated and messed up the family dynamics of the series are. I shouldn’t be expected to understand the family dynamics if Jinshi can’t either, just saying.
Maomao’s wanting to check on Xiaolan’s progress speaks not just about her care for the chirpy girl but also her eagerness to see other women evolve and become self-sufficient. In a society where the value of women is very little, no one understands better than Maomao how drastically her skills could have gone to waste had she not met the right people. The acceptance of Jinshi and the Emperor allow her to function in peace despite her eccentricities.
When the anime dives deeper into the previous Emperor’s story, it is likely that the unexpectedly dark turn won’t be for everyone. The entire world of The Apothecary Diaries is a complicated mess with mysteries buried deep within. Every character has something to hide and slowly but steadily, we as fans get to see the onion peel.
Strength in weakness
The entire point of this episode was that not everyone is perfect. The entire royal lineage of The Apothecary Diaries thrived on being imperfect. It was the fact that they had poor eyesight that made them qualified enough to rule an entire empire. If that doesn’t speak loudly enough to elaborate on the themes then I don’t know what will. It was a woman who started an empire yet it was also the women who were subjugated. Such is the reality we still live in, to an extent.
The Emperor seems to be on a roll, making remarks on how Maomao will never be his type but he also wouldn’t mind giving her to Jinshi. We all wouldn’t mind, thank you, Emperor. The reasons he was making for not liking Maomao were so hilariously cute that he immediately became my favorite. His character has so much potential, I honestly wished that he had a bigger role in the overall story. Luckily, his interactions with Jinshi did make her doubtful. Obviously, he isn’t who he says he is and for a girl as smart as Maomao, still hasn’t figured it out.
The challenge put before the apothecary wasn’t just to find a way through the maze of doors but also to prove herself. It takes some deep level of understanding to pinpoint the issue with the doors and their colors. For both the previous Emperor and the current Emperor, it was impossible for them to pass through the doors because of how diluted their bloodline had become.
In the end, when Jinshi and Maomao stood at the forefront of it all, it wasn’t just the Emperor’s way of saying that he trusts his brother, but also his choice of a wife. I do miss the swift animation. It isn’t the animation style that bothers me but the quality of it. There was something about The Apothecary Diaries and its cute animation but I suppose I shall endure it regardless.
Rating: 8/10
The Apothecary Diaries is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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