The Apothecary Diaries: Episode 3 FULL LENGTH Reaction!
Added 2024-07-31 13:00:03 +0000 UTC*ENVIOUS HEADPHONE WARNINGS*
This episode was so heartwarming and fun -- a mysterious "spirit" is showing up on the walls of the palace and Jinshi charges our girl MaoMao to figuring out the reason for the haunting? Luckily, MaoMao isn't alone in her quest to crack the case, but she's also not alone in wondering the power of love as well as having the privilege of "choice!"
LINK TO REACTION: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/Vh1XDHR1xfvuszbBLp75d9?
Thank you for watching with me and for all the support!
Comments
Ah, thank you for the kind words and comment! I agree; it's refreshing to see a show not be afraid to just treat sex like it's "normal." At first, I felt like clutching pearls, almost, because I wasn't sure what the show was going to do with being this open about sex, but I really like the direction it's taken with it -- I appreciate what the show is doing and can't wait to see more! Thanks!!
Romaniablack
2024-08-06 00:06:39 +0000 UTCI can definitely see the demisexual interpretation of MaoMao. And I like your point of her showing her love, just for different things and in different ways than is considered normal. I also liked your analysis of the redhead with the baby (I keep forgetting how to spell her name 😅) I also really enjoy how frank this show is about sex. Like, they don’t shy away from it as a topic, and occasionally make jokes about it, but they don’t do it in a degrading or raunchy way like so many other shows tend to do. I find that really refreshing. Thanks for the video!
Amalia Jungclaus
2024-08-03 03:24:17 +0000 UTCI agree, I am really enjoying MaoMao as a MC - she's like Sherlock but has this quirky sass to her (and class -- maybe tact?) that I appreciate! And wow, yeah, JJK S2 is a MUCH different show than this but I respect them each in their own rights! Ah, and yeah, it's a much more "scream" worthy show, but that's fine for this one, too! I can appreciate it's dryness, as you pointed out! Thanks for the comment and kind words! I really appreciate it! :)
Romaniablack
2024-08-01 23:32:43 +0000 UTCOohh, that’s interesting about the three episode simultaneous release - really going for that “third episode rule” factor! And yes, the fact that this show isn’t treating talk of sexual activity with massive “pearl clutching” - I’m all for it! I do remember from all my experience with MXTX that “xiao” was a term of endearment - glad that reading is paying off here! 🙂 Gaoshun is a brave man and deserves a pay raise for having to endure this torture, haha! He’s very polite and sweet. And I appreciate his kind heart so far in the show! I love the set up and reveal in this episode! It was so romantic by the end! That does make my stomach roll as well with the idea that once the Emperor “gets” with her, she can’t go to anyone else. That is very sad in its own right, no matter how the situation is romanticized in the anime. I’ll have to talk about that in a future episode! And yes, I agree about Gyokuyou and wanting to be genuinely loved in the way that Fuyou was by the end of this episode. And yes, I feel Jinshi definitely has been “testing” MaoMao’s ability and her trust and if he can rely upon her. The fact that she offers her speculation after the fact but only facts up front - I’m sure Jinshi appreciates that! I could see someone not getting it was the Emperor, just because my western butt is used to crowns, or elaborate regalia designating royalty - whereas in comparison, the Emperor’s “casual” clothes may seem understated in this. But you’re right, the fact that he’s allowed to be alone with Gyokuyou (even Jinshi has Gaoshun there), should be a big clue! Thank you for the comment and kind words!
Romaniablack
2024-08-01 18:33:18 +0000 UTCYes! I remember from reading the MXTX Danmei works that are featured Mondays on the channel (highly recommend if you like BL) that Xiao is more of a term of endearment, but that's cute about the "little cat" reference! Thank you for that and the comment!
Romaniablack
2024-08-01 18:24:10 +0000 UTCI really enjoy this show! I think Maomao is just such a unique character and it's fun to see her unfold mysteries I guess similar to Sherlock, but she's got a lot more class. I've been enjoying catching up with the Jujutsu season 2 reactions - and those are like the complete opposite of this show, the headphone screams are real! Love them and the cosplays! But then to jump to something like this that is so mellow and dry/dark at times, you cover all grounds! But anyway, hearing your theories was a lot of fun, I pretty much agreed with everything you said, and it was nice to get a happy episode in a show too, so I don't have too much for this episode, can't wait for more!
L Freya
2024-08-01 03:01:42 +0000 UTCJust a little bit of information but this first aired in October last year with, for some reason, the first three episodes being released in one go both in Japan and on Crunchyroll. I like the moment of Maomao hinting at Jinshi potentially being the Emperor's favourite like you because the show isn't afraid to talk about sexuality, but specifically treat a same sex relationship in such a blasé manner. You're right that "Xiao" is typically an endearing nickname linked to someone younger. I believe, at least in this context, it basically means "Little". In Chinese Xiao Mao is also the term used for "kitten" 🥺 Fitting nickname for Maomao. Poor poor Gaoshun having to be around Jinshi visibly enjoying Maomao looking at him like he's dirt on her show 🥺 I do like though that he explains himself properly to Maomao on why he wants her to stop giving such looks. As Maomao said, he's above her in the hierarchy so by rights doesn't need to explain himself. He can just issue an order to her. But instead he's kind and makes her understand that its having the opposite effect Maomao wants it to have, and it could prove dangerous to anyone else who isn't immune (like Maomao and Gaoshun are) to Jinshi's inherent beauty. The reveal of the truth regarding Concubine Fuyou and her childhood friend I feel is done brilliantly. The set-up of the episode has you honestly concerned and saddened for her, just like everyone else within the palace as she leaves. But then to reveal that she might be the luckiest of them all gives you so much hope for their future. The idea though that the Emperor might have become interested in her again because she was to be gifted always makes my stomach roil a little. Due to the rules regarding concubines, as far as I'm aware, if the Emperor had lain with her then she wouldn't have been eligible to be gifted and instead would have to remain within the harem. Consort Gyokuyou feeling envious about Concubine Fuyou I feel partly links with the way her ladies-in-waiting were talking at the beginning of the episode regarding not having fully adjusted to living where they are instead of the West. With the gifting of Concubine Fuyou she is able to return home, but Consort Gyokuyou cannot do so. There is also the possibility of her feeling a small yearning to be loved in the same way that Concubine Fuyou and her military officer love one another. The shots to Jinshi and Gaoshun after Concubine Fuyou leaves definitely leaves you wondering on if Jinshi and/or Gaoshun knew/speculated the same thing as Maomao. Its possible that this was another test for Maomao to see if she'd discover the truth, and what she'd do with the information. This 'case' showed Jinshi that Maomao only gives her judgement based on facts and evidence, not speculation. A goatee is just ever so slightly above a soul patch for me on how I'd rank my personal preference when it comes to facial hair. It honestly pains me that that means *design-wise* the Emperor wins over Irie (Psycho-Pass) for me [at least if just judging them physically on their facial hair] 😭 Also feel I should say there were a number of reactors I watched that didn't catch on to the man being the Emperor. Like I said in the discord regarding Fuyou's attire in the past flashbacks this episode, the clothing again clues you in on who the person is but only if you are already aware of said attire for an emperor around this kind of time period; though the clothing for him is not just as exact with the details so it's understandable for some people who are knowledgeable about this kind of thing not twigging who he is. However with regards to conventions within the palace the only male that should be able to enter Consort Gyokuyou's palace so quietly like that should be the Emperor.
Anime Annie
2024-07-31 20:25:52 +0000 UTCJust like Maomao, I think Jinshi had an idea of what was going on, but didn't know for sure. Quick Mandarin lesson (that I learned from this episode) Xiao means little or small and can be used as a term of endearment similar to how you can add -ito, -ita, in the Spanish language to proper names and nouns. So Xiaomao is little cat or in Spanish Gatita (Gata + ita)
William Pina
2024-07-31 17:19:53 +0000 UTC
