The Apothecary Diaries‘ strongest suit is its character development. Since the series began, it has been carefully moulding its characters and developing them in a way that fans can’t take their eyes away for even a second. The series is a master at subverting any expectations. The characters in the series do not belong to typical stereotypes.
However, episode 20 of season 2 (overall episode 44) showed the peak of character development. Each and every character in the anime revealed something about themselves, and the ones in the spotlight are Loulan, Suirei, Jinshi, and Lakan.
Loulan isn’t the typical rich brat
Shishui’s real identity is Loulan, the daughter of Shishou and Shenmei. In the Inner Palace, she might have acted like a flashy and aloof individual, but her inner childishness found an escape through her fake identity. But once she is back under her mother’s wings, fans expect to see a spoilt rich brat emerge from the disguise of a pretty consort.
However, the episode revealed that she has always lived as her mother’s puppet. She laughed and grieved at her mother’s cues and tried to do everything according to her wishes, but could never see her parent as anything other than an ugly individual.
Suirei is no longer a heinous villainess in The Apothecary Diaries
Suirei has been the big bad villain for too long in the anime. The latest episodes revealed why she was involved in such an elaborate plot to kill Jinshi. She was acting under the orders of Shenmei. Despite being Loulan’s stepsister, Suirei is treated with utter disrespect and disgust.
But Suirei has to put up with every abuse that Shenmei throws her way. Suirei was turned into a disposable weapon for the Shi clan and had no choice but to follow orders.
Jinshi is ready to claim his mantle
Jinshi has been acting as an eunuch for way too long. In episode 44, he realized that he had been hiding comfortably behind his mask, using it as an excuse to avoid his duties. He was given a staunch reminder of his actual position by Lakan. He thus realized that in order to stop the Shi clan, he could no longer pretend to be a eunuch and remain inactive.
The episode hints that Jinshi is now ready to reveal his true identity and spearhead the attack against the Shi fortress. He will accept his roles and responsibilities and protect Maomao while he is at it.
Lakan, the tactician who is also a father
Lakan is probably the one who played the most heart-winning role in the episode. He stormed into Jinshi’s office, reprimanding him for his inaction. Lakan is no longer the toxic person that people knew from season 1. Instead, he shows how much he loves his daughter and how far he is willing to go for her.
Lakan does not spare a single insult towards Jinshi, in the hopes that it would stir the man into action. Lastly, he swallowed his pride, something that should have been impossible for him, and requested Jinshi to let him mobilize the Imperial Army to suppress the Shi rebellion. Truly, he is the man of the match in this episode.
The Apothecary Diaries anime is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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