Episode 1 of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 felt more like the calm before a storm than a big flashy return, and I actually liked that. 🌿
Maomao being back in the pleasure district immediately feels familiar, but the whole locust situation gives the episode this uncomfortable feeling that something much bigger is coming. I loved how she notices such a small detail in the food and slowly connects it to a possible disaster. That’s exactly the kind of thing that makes her so fun to watch.
Jinshi’s side was interesting too. He feels different now that he’s openly carrying the responsibilities of the Moon Prince, and you can already tell the political pressure around him is getting heavier. The marriage discussion definitely isn’t going to make his life any easier either. 😂
It’s a slower premiere and there’s quite a bit of setup, but it never felt boring to me. Between the threat of famine, the aftermath of the Shi clan, and the new mysteries being introduced, this feels like the beginning of a much bigger arc. Really good to have Maomao back. ✨