The Apothecary Diaries involves very mature and sinister themes, often talking about the issues of the patriarchy, s*xual assault, suicide, and much more. It’s the harsh reality of the Tang Dynasty on which the series is based.
We’re grateful to witness a strong protagonist like Maomao, who has been through so much in her life, as well as the side characters. The women of The Apothecary Diaries are exceptionally well-written, a testament to Natsu Hyuuga’s brilliance.
This was highlighted during Anshi’s backstory, when she refused to be reduced to a victim of the former Emperor and took matters into her own hands to prevent more. It might have been difficult to watch, but The Apothecary Diaries came back with a story much darker than the Empress Dowager’s in Season 2.
The Apothecary Diaries’ Season 2 Episode 21 was incredibly grim, but the ending even shocked Maomao
Ever since Loulan’s introduction as the Pure Consort and her relation to Prime Minister Shishou, fans had their suspicions about them. The Consort was rather quiet and passive, rarely having any dialogue in the show. Shishou, on the other hand, always had a calm smile that screamed that he was up to something.
These suspicions came to fruition in the second season. As the story began to unravel, the Shi Clan’s intentions became clear. However, it wasn’t just Shishou or Loulan. The real antagonist of The Apothecary Diaries was introduced rather recently, and she might be the only person who holds a candle to how terrible the former Emperor and Empress Regnant were.
Shenmei, Shishou’s wife and Loulan’s mother, reeks of a classic villain. It turns out she’s much worse than that. She abandoned her lady-in-waiting, Taihou, after she was s*xually assaulted by the former Emperor, plotted the death of Shishou’s former wife to marry him, and abused Suirei and Loulan.
In the latest episode, it’s clear that all Shenmei wants is power and control, even if it means the Shi Clan is exterminated. She’s corrupted the married women by coercing them into o*gies and abandoning their children. She’s willing to hurt anyone in her path.
The episode proves to us she’s irredeemable and vile; even Maomao couldn’t help but react, although she’s a prisoner. The protagonist then reunites with Loulan, or Shisui. The ending, however, is the bleakest one to date.
We never expected Shisui to poison the children, even if it spares them from a more violent death. Maomao couldn’t believe her friend would do something like that, nor could the audience. She even nearly hit her, but didn’t risk it.
What will Shisui do next in The Apothecary Diaries?
The ending was shocking, to say the least. Shenmei might be the true villain of this arc, but Shisui took a huge risk. While most of us know it’s likely the resurrection medicine that helped Suirei escape, giving it to children is something we can’t swallow.
However, Maomao is asking the right questions at the end of the episode: why did Shisui bring her to the room? The apothecary can’t exactly cure death, and she doesn’t know enough about the resurrection drug, not like Suirei does. So, her true intentions are rather confusing.
Some fans have theorized that Shisui might even take the “medicine” herself and risk her own life. The energy of this episode’s ending certainly hinted at it, although it’s unlikely. This will also be the darkest moment in The Apothecary Diaries if it’s true and a big deviation from the light novel.
Leaving on a cliffhanger and making us wait for another week to see what happens to the children and Shisui might be its cruelest move. We will see the war escalate since the Forbidden Army, led by Jinshi, is already on their doorstep.
The Apothecary Diaries can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
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