REVIEW: ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Episode 9 — “Suicide or Murder”

With her visit home finished, Maomao’s (Aoi Yûki) life looks to have returned to normal. Though normal for her may be different than most servants in the rear palace, as a pair of deaths demand investigation, and it seems only she can sift out the clues in The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) Episode 9, “Suicide or Murder.”

The first of this week’s pair of mysteries involves a man drinking himself to death. At first glance, the cause of death seems obvious, but Maomao manages to spot some underlying elements in the scenario that raise questions concerning what may have been the exact cause of the man’s death. Whether murder, suicide, or a prank taken too far, the details as they are laid out are intriguing and serve well to get the episode going.

The biggest thing that comes from The Apothecary Diaries Episode 9’s opening mystery is Maomao’s reaction to the news of the man’s death. Upon learning of the incident, she reacts callously, seeing the news as nothing to be upset about. She had never met the man, and the fact that some rich guy drank himself to death didn’t seem like anything for her to be sad about. While this reaction certainly feels cold, it is also understandable for several reasons.

Feeling pity for someone who overindulges in something Maomao can barely access, given her status in life, can be a tough sell. Also, given how much more death she interacts with than most people, building up a callous to such news would also be natural. Otherwise, every death would break her. This moment serves to further expand upon Maomao’s personality. It is structured skillfully, challenging the viewer to consider why Maomao reacts the way she does and not just take that reaction at face value.

The back half of the episode sees Maomao looking into a servant who appears to have drowned in the moat that encircles the palace. While many conclude it to be a suicide, several clues don’t add up to this, such as signs of struggle and no clear way for the servant to have scaled the outer wall of the palace to reach the moat on her own. The distinct feeling is that the death is being brushed off by many as it was “just a servant.” This tone, taken once more, highlights the powerful class structure within the palace and helps push Maomao’s thoughts to some dark places.

The drowning scene, while tragic, is also gorgeously done. Occurring in the light of a bright shining moon, the waters shimmer in deep blues, creating a beautiful and chilling atmosphere.

This excellent lighting work is continued in Maomao’s final scene of the episode. Bathed in vibrant reds of the setting sun, Maomao and Jinshi (Takeo Otsuka) discuss their final thoughts about the deceased servant. Maomao eventually drifts off in thought as she gazes at a nearby plant. Her mind wanders through a montage of the many deaths in the series to date. All bathed in the same shimmering red of the scene. When she comes to, she has a sullen energy about her and makes a startling request for Jinshi. She calmly asks that, if he should ever have to command her execution, he have her killed by poison.

While this request blindsides Jinshi, for the viewer who has had insight into Maomao’s thoughts, it is a concern that feels thoroughly reasonable. When she first came to the rear palace, she did all she could to garner no attention to herself. The wrong noble’s eye at the wrong moment could see her dead since she has no status or powerful family to protect her.

With all she has become involved with, it is easy to see her concern that Jinshi may be one day forced to have her killed, whether he wishes to or not. The quiet demeanor Maomao maintains throughout the moment tries hard to conceal the emotional nature of Maomao’s request. She is always reserved, but to those paying attention, it feels obvious that the matter at hand is not some passing fancy that has slipped through her mind at random but rather a concern that weighs heavily on it.

The Apothecary Diaries Episode 9 closes with a brief moment that reveals that Jinshi is continuing to investigate the poisoning at the garden party and that the clues are starting to build up. This serves as a nice bookend for the episode, reminding viewers that something larger is brewing in the palace.

The gorgeous visual presentation and Maomao’s emotional request of Jinshi elevate The Apothecary Diaries Episode 9 to be the best the series has yet produced. I continue to grow more attached to the cast and hope that the growing story manages to do them justice.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.