REVIEW: ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Episode 29 — “The Moon Fairy”

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5, “The Moon Fairy,” sees Maomao (Aoi Yûki) discover the final elements to bring the Special Envoys’ sought-after Moon Fairy to life. But a lot has to come together to make the show truly magical. Once the performance is complete, Maomao learns some new things about the Rear Palace and potentially gets herself into some trouble.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 begins with Maomao as she ponders the nature of rumors and myths. This thoughtful internal monologue highlights how Maomao’s mind is always running. She continues to think, process, and hone the sharp edge of her mind to the point where it is as natural to her as breathing. Her pondering here feels idle, but like many of the early moments in previous episodes, these musings work to lay the groundwork for later on when Maomao has one of her flashes of brilliance.

Once The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 is done with Maomao’s contemplations, it follows the young apothecary as she heads to the ruined northern edge of the palace. Once there, she runs into Shisui (Asami Seto), who is out collecting caterpillars. When Maomao learns that these larvae will one day blossom into beautiful, nocturnal moths that glow in the dark, her mind instantly shifts into gear. The trademark mischievous grin of Maomao’s blazes across her face, once more bringing more than a little worry to her companion.

This scene delivers the final element to Maomao and Jinshi’s (Takeo Otsuka) “Moon Fairy” problem, which showcases the importance of preplanning in approaching a narrative. If Shisui hadn’t already been established as an avid bug collector several episodes back, this moment would have felt like a cheat to get the protagonists out of a jam. By leaving time between the reveal of the fact and its relevance, it creates a greater sense of coincidence. This can go a great way to obfuscating the protagonist’s plot armor.

With a full plan, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 moves forward in time as preparations are made for a special moonlight performance for the Special Envoys. We get our first good look at the envoys as the show plays out. Though the pair of ladies are nearly identical, striking differences set them apart. A slightly curled smile, differences in lipstick, and other minor elements mark each as separate. These details show an extra effort on the illustrative side and instantly establish that they boast different personalities, whatever their physical similarities may make one think.

 The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 embraces coincidence.

During the performance, Maomao observes what transpires from the shadows. Her thoughts dive into her impressions of the special envoys as people and their likely goals at the palace. She sees some of her initial impressions play out as an interaction with the emperor occurs in the middle of the show.

As the performance ends and the Special Envoys retire, they are not impressed by what they’ve seen. However, it’s not till they are alone on the road back that the real show begins. Using clever tricks, Maomao seemingly manifests the Moon Fairy (Jinshi) out of thin air. Dancing for the envoys with a swirl of the glowing moths around him, the envoys are completely taken by the sight. As Maomao observes, “It is a sight that could topple empires.” It doesn’t feel like a gross exaggeration.

Fantastic lighting and animation bring the sequence’s empire-topping beauty to life. Jinshi’s dance fluidity and the way his garments move with him create a genuinely ethereal presence. The glowing light from the moths and the moon dancing upon his person further adds a magical element, bringing the illusion to completeness.

The only thing holding this moment ever-so-slightly back is its familiarity. Twice already, we’ve seen moonlit dances with flowing robes and elegant movements dazzle within the series. While this one still shines, one hopes that the next time such a dazzling presentation is called for, they may mix up the formula just a bit.

As life moves on after the special night, we see Maomao return to her normal routine around the Rear Palace. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 delivers a delightful treat with a brief meeting between Maomao and Xiaolan (Misaki Kuno). It is the first day of the new Vocational School, and Xiolan is excited to be one of the first students. Her glee shines with authentic joy at the prospect of learning and growing through her imminent education. As she runs off, Maomao looks on with pride, happy to see her friend learning.

Maomao takes center stage in this episode.

The last major element of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 comes when Maomao, back at the Jade Pavilion, learns that one of the other ladies-in-waiting has a slight cold. After making some medicine for her, the woman asks to be taken to the clinic. But not the one the series has shown Maomao visit in the past. As it turns out, a second one is used for quarantining people, run by former ladies who have aged past the point of serving the concubines.

Maomao’s discovery of this hitherto unknown section of the palace brings to light a critical fact that she was not aware of. Running into Jinshi shortly after leaving, she asks why the “quack” doctor runs the medical clinic when some of the ladies at the other one seem much more knowledgeable. She is informed that only men can make medicine and that her efforts have been quietly overlooked. As the discussion comes to a close and the two part, Jinshi emphasizes that Maomao needs to keep her work a tight secret.

In contrast to the earlier moment with Shisui’s bugs, this scene feels out of left field. With how much Maomao does in the medical fields for Jinshi and others, you’d think such a warning would’ve been delivered back in season one. That it is just coming up now feels like an uncharacteristic lack of planning.

As The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 draws to a close, it returns to the sick lady-in-waiting at the clinic. As she prepares to take some medicine Maomao mixed up for her, and she is interrupted by one of the attendants, who pieces together where she got the concoction from, making Jinshi’s concerns come to life in a timely fashion.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 delivers on some of the series’ biggest strengths but with a couple of small stumbles as well. Despite the hiccups, it manages to forge an enjoyable story that sets up the next step of the plot.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.