The Apothecary Diaries: Episode 12 FULL LENGTH Reaction!
Added 2024-10-02 13:00:02 +0000 UTC*MISCOMMUNICATED HEADPHONE WARNINGS*
The case MaoMao brought to a close has an unfortunate "side effect" that affects many in the Rear Palace, including her!
Jinshi has to make a decision whether to indulge in his desires, or attempt to be selfless and consider MaoMao's feelings...even if he can't predict exactly what she herself wants! WHAT a halfway mark episode! The Eunuch and the Courtesan, huh?!
LINK TO REACTION: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/Jysiphq7mZ3gfdYRUtW7vS?
Thank you for watching with me and for all the support!
Comments
Hoorah! NO worries - I know everyone is busy this time of year! I’m glad that at least the series will be able to continue on with the mangaka and everything going on surrounding them. I definitely felt for Wanrong in these chapters of the book - Wen Xiu feels like someone that is making the most of what they have, but they’re able to entertain themselves, whereas Wanrong seems like someone that craved companionship, as she was constantly talking to the eunuchs around her. I would imagine Pu Yi could be asexual for sure, though there are some moments that suggest maybe otherwise, but the ace spectrum would have made sense to me! AND HA! I definitely seemed that Pu Yi *wanted* There to be a voyeuristic kink rumor spread about him but that is NOT how it comes across on the page. #danmeifail I agree; Jinshi putting MaoMao’s feelings front and center was really sweet but of course, there was that miscommunication but thank GOODNESS it was resolved this week! The wait would have been TRAUMA! Haha! The animation of MaoMao looking for Jinshi was so well done, too! And OH, she should have taken that jade cabbage! My mother and I went to a rummage sale this last weekend and I saw a ceramic cabbage, actually, but it was NOWHERE near the cuteness of that jade one. So no buys for me! I definitely attribute Memoirs of a Geisha to opening to the idea of entertainers as not strictly sexual in nature. I love the variety in what they do throughout this scene and showing how consent (can) work in this situation. THIS indirect kiss was MAGICAL - I loved how sensual it is and you know those three princesses are not going to let MaoMao live this one down! XD I’m so glad that they ended the cour with THIS episode and not leave you wondering what is going to happen! This series feels like an MXTX work but also can rival with YuuMori, too! Hahaha, Huckleberry “expresses himself” far too much for me sometimes - herd dog mentality! Definitely a communicator! Oohhhhh, and that makes sense about what MaoMao owes! Thank you for explaining that! And thank you for the comment and kind words - I LIVE for Jinshi and MaoMao as a pairing!
Romaniablack
2024-10-07 20:42:50 +0000 UTCJinshi would of COURSE have to stand out! :3 I missed him too! I couldn’t believe it! But yes, this entire episode was SO GOOD! Yes! I love when series bookend and come full circle like that! I will definitely have to give the dub a go with this series, since it has y’all’s blessing! 😀 Oh, thank you so much for the comment and kind words! I am loving having this book alongside the series; it’s made it so much fun! I’m so excited for the episodes to come with this season!
Romaniablack
2024-10-07 20:06:46 +0000 UTCI would not be surprised if Gaoshun helped secure those funds; being tired of these two going round and round, hahaha! I love MaoMao and how she gets along with the princesses! And YES, I love that these female characters aren't in a "competition" with one another - that's so true! Thank you so much for the comments! Excited for the weeks to come!
Romaniablack
2024-10-07 19:58:00 +0000 UTCFinally was able to sit and watch this 😮💨 In regards to the mangaka's situation, even if they did have to do prison time I don't think it would have any affect on the anime as they still have the light novel for source material. I'm unsure if the anime is being based more on the light novel or either of the manga, or if it's an equal amount (I'm only reading one version of the manga, and have yet to dip my toes into the other media for this series). But either way the anime studio would still have enough canon material from the novel if Nekokurage had to put the manga on hold for any reason. Wen Xiu seems to have chosen to make the best of her situation; my kind of mindset. But it definitely adds to feeling bad for Empress Wan Rong with how lonely and isolated she felt instead. From what you've said I would be inclined to agree that Emperor Puyi was at least not sexually interested in woman, though he could have been asexual rather than homosexual and the weight of expectation on him as the emperor may have prevented him from being able to grow close emotionally with either his empress or consort. I do have to admit when you first started reading out the passage about the emperor calling Sun Yaoting into the room my first thought was "Oooh, did the emperor have a voyeuristic kink??" 😅 I love that, even though he isn't right about how Maomao feels about the idea of remaining in the palace, Jinshi puts his own feelings aside and considers Maomao's opinions and feelings she's previously verbalised to him as being the important factor for making such a decision. He isn't keeping her with him just so as he can have her company, nor trying to suggest in the palace with him would be better/safer for her. But I knew you'd be glad the miscommunication was resolved pretty quickly. I love the animation of Maomao running through the palace. It not only gives us a better scope for just how massive the inner palace is, but the way the scene is animated portrays Maomao's frenetic energy as she runs around searching for Jinshi (and her chance of remaining in the palace). Maomao talking about taking one of the items as a souvenir is what came to mind back when you showed us that beautiful ornate jade cabbage that you wanted 😆 I like them showing the scene of the courtesans entertaining their guests for one big reason: at least with Western audiences I do know there is still a misconception with some people on the role a courtesan had. Some still liken them to sex workers when in fact such courtesans were first and foremost entertainers. We get to see Maomao and the other ladies entertain the various men through music, song, dance, drink, and even games such as shogi. It's also like the scene of Maomao reminding Jinshi he's not allowed to touch. The courtesans are not there as objects to be touched. For that it probably requires more money and negotiations between the customer, brothel owner, and (potentially) the courtesan in question. I do love me an indirect kiss, but this one is definitely one of my favourites and certainly feels the most sensual 🥰 But the Three Princesses reaction afterwards is a fantastic characterisation of three older sisters wanting all the details on a potential crush in their little sister's life 🤣 When this aired I did think at least they didn't end the cour with the angst of their separation due to miscommunication 😂 It's definitely a nice way to end the cour, whilst also leaving it so open-ended on what's next for Maomao. Gotta admit for your asking why the story can't be both a detective story and a romance my immediate thought was YuuMori 🤣 Sherliam my sweet ship 🥰 Huckleberry is just expressing his enthusiasm for there to be proper communication between Maomao and Jinshi in the future so as the situation this episode doesn't happen again 🤣 The money Maomao owes the Madam at the brothel is to cover the cost of Lihaku's night with Pairin 🤣 She handed over the money she'd saved so far when they visited but the Madam said that it wasn't enough to cover it. Great reaction as always. I'm glad you enjoyed the indirect kiss as much as I did.
Anime Annie
2024-10-07 15:02:56 +0000 UTCThanks for the comment!
Romaniablack
2024-10-06 23:33:19 +0000 UTCCan you imagine Jinshi blending in to the background and not standing out? Whenever I rewatch this episode I always look for Jinshi and can't believe I missed him sitting right in the center almost every time! The peacock that blended in to the background... gives a little more understanding to how MaoMao could not notice she's sitting right next to Jinshi until she's practically touching his hair. It's neat how the first 12 episodes create a little bit of a loop, where MaoMao is brought to the rear palace in the beginning of episode 1, and now at the end, presumably we are returning there once more. I agree it'll be interesting to see where it goes on her entry back now! The dub rocks for this show, the old lady's voice is great, and the main characters are too! Unless the dub is pretty bad, I'll often use it to watch along your (and other) reactions, as it allows me a little more freedom without missing out on what is being reacted to. But I do tend to watch shows quite a few times, so I get the original VA in there as well, normally initially! Lots of good points in the discussion - plus the book updates and "verbatim" reading at the beginning, it's what makes your reactions so fun and unique! This show is just so enjoyable to experience and re-experience as well!
L Freya
2024-10-04 03:37:35 +0000 UTCI think Goushin got tired of Jinishi moodiness and pulled some strings. He would easily find out where she would be. At least that is what I think.
LoreleiS
2024-10-02 17:49:55 +0000 UTCGoushin for the win, but somebody behind Jinishi has clout cause that is a lot of money to throw around. I adore the relationship between MaoMao and her big “sister” and how non toxic and supportive it is. I hate it when authors and shows only have women “ compete” against each other in these situations. These women have to have a civil contacts so they can warn each other about bad patron and good ones.
LoreleiS
2024-10-02 17:44:18 +0000 UTCI think Jinshi believes that Maomao doesn't want to be at the rear palace, since she was kidnapped and forced to be there. So Jinshi's dilemma is more about setting Maomao free or keeping her prisoned in the rear palace more than what her sense of justice would be. Also Maomao incurred more debt because of the introduction of Pairin to Lihaku, so she is even more in debt now! lol
William Pina
2024-10-02 17:31:09 +0000 UTC
