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The Apothecary Diaries: Episode 22 FULL LENGTH Reaction! (Patreon)

Published:
2024-12-11 14:00:04
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

*HAND-DYED HEADPHONE WARNINGS*

That darn OP has hinted at these blue roses this entire time, but it's great to FINALLY get them brought up! Lakan challenges Jinshi to a seemingly impossible task, but MaoMao decides to step up and help Jinshi accomplish it...and she may have a trick or two planned for her biological father?! Oooohhhh, an interesting set up this has become!

LINK TO REACTION: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/j38Wdq9oDTE1CShvFXj1hh? 

Thank you for watching with me and for all the support!

Files

Previews only

The Apothecary Diaries: Episode 22 Reaction! BLUE ROSES?!

LINK TO REACTION: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/j38Wdq9oDTE1CShvFXj1hh? **HAND-DYED HEADPHONE WARNINGS** That darn OP has hinted at these blue roses this entire time, but it's great to FINALLY get them brought up! Lakan challenges Jinshi to a seemingly impossible task, but MaoMao decides to step up and help Jinshi accomplish it...and she may have a trick or two planned for her biological father?! Oooohhhh, an interesting set up this has become! Thank you for watching with me and for all the support! #theapothecarydiaries #romaniablack #apothecarydiariesreaction #apothecarydiaries Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RomaniaBlack My Anime: https://myanimelist.net/profile/RomaniaBlack Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RomaniaBlack You can mail me a letter or anything (except food, please) at this address: Romania Black PO Box 768 Harrisburg, IL 62946 USA

Comments

Icy

A long time ago (in high school) I watched a anime. In this Anime was a character associated with blue roses thus my love for flower meanings/language was sparked. Blue Roses have many different meanings across different cultures. In Japan, they mean secrecy and making the impossible possible. In China, they can represent unrequited or unattainable love amongst other things. Balsam can mean ardent love and impatience. Wood sorrel means prosperity or good luck

Greybeard

By the way, the final main trailer for Season 2 was released yesterday, featuring the new OP as well. Just in case you want to see it (and maybe react to it?).

Anime Annie

You're right on the current emperor's offspring (though there is also the possibility of a second child from Consort Gyokuyou if she manages to give birth and the baby survives). I think MsNegative may have been referring to the previous emperor's children (i.e. the current emperor and his brother as the imperial palace know of), but there has so far been no mention of the previous emperor having any other children, legitimate or otherwise, only his two legitimate sons by the now-dowager empress. And so, even if Jinshi was the current emperor's brother or son (legitimately or illegitimately), he is currently the only living male heir for the current emperor's family tree and was the spare from the previous emperor's family tree. As someone living in a country that does still have a monarchy, even if they have no real governmental power, it's also strange for me to think of an emperor stepping down and becoming a natural citizen. I do know a similar thing happened several years ago in Japan that the current Crown Prince's daughter, by imperial law, had to give up her title as princess and leave the imperial palace when she married a commoner. If this was a law here in the UK then that means both of King Charles' sons would have had to give up their titles and place in the line of succession upon marrying Catherine and Megan. I have heard of some of the cruel acts the Red Guard forced on people at that time. Definitely hurts that we've gone through Sun Yaoting's life and see that even towards the end he did not receive peace or respect (except from his fellow eunuchs). The Red Guard definitely read to me as those kinds of people that are given a little bit of power and authority over others and wantonly abuse it. And Sun Yaoting willingly giving away his genitals so as to protect his family from potential harm is definitely heart-breaking especially, like you said, when you do consider it within their cultural belief of after death 🥺 The things your browser history has suffered from watching anime and now it's about to get a workout with "syphilis in artwork through the ages" 🤣 Truthfully though it is interesting to see artistic depictions of various moments and times in history. I do remember as part of History class when we were studying the Black Death (the bubonic plague that cut through Europe in the medieval period) our teacher did a few classes on art of the time (and after) and how it had an effect on medieval society. It was our teacher's way of having us study primary versus secondary sources, and compare how art and literature looked or was worded during the plague, and then how it was depicted after-the-fact. And with that we also learned about artistic license and how even if it's a primary resource, it may not be a truthful representation of what happened. I love that Jinshi questions if Lakan was dreaming when he mentions blue roses, and Maomao's mind immediately goes to hallucinogenic drugs. Technically they're both thinking the same thing, just Maomao's mind goes to their being a chemical reason instead of simply a person's brain creating something. Though the mention of hallucinogenic drugs and Jinshi's reaction to such an idea (alongside what we've been discussing with The Last Eunuch of China) did make me wonder if it was a slight nod towards the opium issues China has had throughout several points in history as, although an uncommon one, hallucinations are a possible side effect of using opium. With the comparison of Lakan and Mycroft at the beginning of this reaction, Maomao willingly taking on the challenge of creating the blue roses definitely gives me similar vibes of Mycroft challenging his little brother, and Sherlock wanting to prove himself able and to win one over his older brother. Especially so when Maomao talks about the stage being set. The thing I took from Maomao passing that book to Consort Lihua was that it may tell us a bit about some of the emperor's personal interests if his "favourite book" is one Maomao had to get hold of through the brothel 🤭 I've mentioned before that I come from a family of gardening enthusiasts so I did become curious when Maomao thought of creating their version of a greenhouse. Apparently greenhouses have been in use since Ancient Roman times, but the first recorded use of an artificially heated one (which this one Maomao has created would count as) was during the 1450s in Joseon (the old name for Korea). But it wasn't until the 17th Century that such structures were built in Europe and the US. I adore of all people for Gaoshun to fetch Xiaolan was chosen. Likely not just because of the rapport she has with Maomao, but also that she cares for Maomao just as Gaoshun and Jinshi do, therefore is likely to be their best ally in ensuring Maomao doesn't push herself too hard and open her stitches...again. Though it is also telling about the kind of information Gaoshun and Jinshi have regarding Maomao's life that they knew to choose Xiaolan specifically. Xiaolan with the caterpillar (protecting the poor eunuchs) is one of my favourite moments with her 😂 I also love that she doesn't kill it, just throws it away from the greenhouse. It is fitting if she follows Buddhist belief that animals shouldn't be harmed/killed. The progression of Maomao looking more haggard and tired as the episode goes on does make my heart hurt for her. Like she looks worse than she did when she was exhausted from nursing Consort Lihua back to health. But I guess it shows her determination to produce the blue roses Lakan has challenged Jinshi with. I also love the concern Consort Gyokuyou and her ladies-in-waiting have for Maomao. The way they care for her in that scene reminds me a lot of the scenes we've seen of Maomao with the Three Princesses. The guy next to Lakan was just holding back his fury at the disrespect. Lakan's hands were dirty so he used the hat of the man in front of him to clean off the hat 😆 You thought last week was a tease for mentioning the blue roses. The way they ended this episode was definitely on the mean side! That "This was just a set-up episode!" was definitely felt 🤣 Definitely getting Dowager Empress Cixi vibes from the hints that keep being dropped about the current emperor's grandmother. Yes Maomao was playing the long game with the manicures. It not only kept Consort Lihua's ladies-in-waiting out of Maomao's and Xiaolan's hair, but also was able to be used as a second win against Lakan. Just a correction though, Maomao's are the same colour as everyone else's. She was internally complaining that she didn't have balsam in order to create the red colour that would be most reminiscent of the shade the courtesans paint their nails. For how Lakan sees people I feel like the translation does make it harder to understand. Blame the translation 😆 In Japanese Lakan does use the term "xiangqi" when talking about his subordinates appearing as chess pieces. The other issue for this translation is that I have seen go referred to as chess before too, so to avoid confusion I think the translator would have been better putting "xiangqi pieces" instead of "chess pieces" or specified "Chinese chess pieces" but I do think with having just talked about go stones using xiangqi pieces would have made more sense. The plain white and black stones are go pieces, but then the ones with names on them (like Lakan's subordinates, Jinshi, and Gaoshun) are xiangqi pieces. Go stones are plain and xiangqi pieces have specific roles like in western chess (and xiangqi is often called Chinese chess), so that's why you were having difficulties on finding out the meaning for the roles attributed to Gaoshun and Jinshi. Go and xiangqi are from the same family of games, but have different rules and strategies. Go is about gaining more territory than your opponent, whilst xiangqi represents a battle against your opponent and restricting their movement across the board.

Yoann Bigor

Not related because eveything i would have said has been said. So a bit of gem for you. The artist that played the first opening has a live performance of the opening in "The First Take" ( Japanese YT channel where artists performs in one take) Vidéo: 緑黄色社会 - 花になって / THE FIRST TAKE ( the song name is flower)

LoreleiS

Yup, I definitely agree with Lakan is definitely the Mycroft to MaoMao Sherlock. In the ACD stories Mycroft with often chide Sherlock for being too emotional. Lakan being detached may be a part of him dealing with not seeing the faces of other people. It easy to be detached when you don’t see them as human. I find it interesting and telling that MaoMao feels more friendly and easy in the company of women.

Esso

MaoMao Wife

romaniablack
>>158011809

Oh, thank you so much for the comment and kind words - unfortunately, because it's SO close between now and the new season coming out (and because in my channel I like going in 100% blind), I will not be reacting to the trailer! But the HYPE is real, don't worry!

romaniablack
>>158017713

Oohhh, nice! I've seen a few artists on "The First Take" and they're so good! I'll have to check that one out! Thank you for the comment!

romaniablack
>>158035626

Ahhhh, I love the Sherlock connection with these characters! And yes, that connection to Lakan's detachment is how I feel as well! And after all we've heard MaoMao say about life at the brothels, it's not hard to see why she would want to be around women, more. :) Thank you for the comment!

romaniablack
>>158010904

Blue Roses are definitely beautiful and I appreciate all the meanings and information you gave here! Thank you for the comment and kind words! I’m trying to remember If I saw an anime with blue roses as a kid…I feel like I did, haha!

romaniablack
>>158012862

There was another commenter that noted that there were three babies born previously that died from the white powder, so clearly, I need to go back and check episode 1 again, haha! But in any case, yes, Jinshi is the “Spare” regardless if he’s the current emperor’s son or brother. Monarchies are WILD! I think that is interesting about the princess in Japan giving her up her title when she married “a commoner,” which is such a crazy concept to me - where’s THAT anime?! 😛 But yeah, the book with Sun Yaoting does NOT get into much detail about the Red Guard, probably for censorship and because Sun Yaoting didn’t want to talk about it. I still can’t get over that he just gave up his genetals to protect his family…that is insane to me! With the discussion of my web browser and pictures of diseases, it is fascinating to me as well! Actually, I think that I had that SAME discussion about primary versus secondary sources as well in grade school! I need to keep that in mind for the future when talking about sources with my classes, haha! Yesss, MaoMoa immediately going to hardcore science and Jinshi to his idealistic romanticism. 😛But yeah, that is a fair point about the tie to hallucinogenic drugs and opium. I do love the idea of Lakan as Mycroft and MaoMao as Sherlock for the “games” they play back and forth. And hmmm, the Emperor may be into much more sexual activity than his brother/son Jinshi. Hm. LOVE the history of the greenhouses as well! That’s so cool! 🙂It was also sweet having Xiaolan return to the fold in this episode! I love her and the caterpillar moment as well! MaoMao’s determination to get the blue roses for Jinshi and to challenge Lakan was very powerful! And Lakan is just…insanely giving no qualms. That makes sense about the guy’s hands, now! This episode was SUCH a tease, though! But in the best way! And YES, the current emperor’s grandmother DEFINITELY is giving Cixi vibes! And that makes sense about MaoMao’s nails, so thank you for the correction on that! And having watched next week’s episode, it makes sense now about the chess and go pieces with them! Thank you for explaining that and for the comment and kind words! 😀

romaniablack
>>158010904

OOOHHHHH that's right! I forgot about them in OHSHC - It's been a while since I've watched that series...I need to revisit it apparently! :D