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#15

Yet another case for Maomao to solve, but it appears there WILL be a main plot for this quarter and it will focus on Maomao's origins. The episode is a good mix between the one-off arc and the main plotline, as the mysterious military official with the monocle Rakan/Luohan makes his move and uses mysterious cases to get himself a foothold into Jinshi's household (and by extension Maomao).

This is the first time Gaoshun commissions Maomao to help him with a case, and like his master he knows exactly what makes her tick. Unlike Maomao's stereotypical view of officials, he actually put in the effort when tasked with an investigation and prepares the groundwork required for Maomao to put together the missing pieces unimpeded. We viewers already know he's competent, but unlike Jinshi he does it quietly and efficiently. No wonder Maomao likes working with him, and he appreciates her intelligence and how she shares his own conviction on getting to the truth of matters.

We've seen his subordinate Basen before, as he sparred with Jinshi back in season one. Like Jinshi's old servant they both made cameos in season one, and it looks like we will see more of him in this season as he works closely with Jinshi's household on official business. Since he's never worked with Maomao before, it's not surprising he doesn't hold her in high regard during their first meeting. After seeing how she solved Gaoshun's commission (and with the same reaction as the other two when she joyfully ate the wrongly prepared seaweed), I wouldn't be surprised if he's more respectful towards her next week.

There's plenty of humour from the usual Maomao expressions. Whether it's her expression of absolute horror when Jinshi surprises her, or her look of pure exaltation when she fantasises over what to do with the Cordyceps (as is Jinshi's reaction to seeing that face), viewers will get their fill of Maomao the cat this week. Jinshi and company getting Maomao to throw up the seaweed is what we've come to expect from people who have worked with Maomao for a while and know about her deviant personality with poisons.

As for Maomao's background, well that is a huge surprise. The courtesan Rakan describes has a demeanour not unlike Maomao when she's around men, and the show makes a deliberate comparison between the courtesan's service attitude and Maomao's facial expressions during Rakan's retelling. We don't know if Maomao is good at board games, but with her parentage is it any surprise she's turned out the way she is? Unlike her (alleged) parents, her intelligence is confined to apothecary skills and problem solving and not to general academic studies. It's all conjecture and allegations for now and this is certainly a hook to keep casual viewers interested through the quarter like the garden poisoning event was.

If Rakan is testing Maomao out, then the next weeks will most likely be a slew of mysterious cases to test Maomao's mettle. I'm sure she's up to the challenge, but what exactly is Rakan's motive in doing this? If he is who he's alleged to be, it's no surprise Jinshi is in for a hard time now that he's technically Maomao's master. How that goes is going to be another highlight for this season.

Harleyquin Wrote:

Quote:

as the mysterious military official with the monocle Rakan/Luohan

Just for the record: This is translated as Lakan in the light novel and manga versions as well as the subtitles of the anime version. I realize you may be hearing something else, but for the sake of clear communication with the rest of us you should probably use Lakan.

#16

Considering this is Maomao's first test set by the monocled strategist, the show has gone all out in setting arguably the toughest puzzle for both Maomao and viewers to solve. Because the whole episode is centred on the metalworker's legacy, there's not much airtime for anything else as Maomao (and viewers) need all the clues available to figure out what Lakan had surmised prior to setting Maomao up.

Jinshi doesn't get to leave the palace at all, which is a surprise given how much leeway he has within it. Another clue as to his true identity, as his insistence that Maomao disguise him with makeup suggests he REALLY doesn't want anyone seeing him outside of his "natural habitat". Perhaps that's why he always sulks when Maomao is out on dispatch with just Basen to keep an eye on her.

Basen himself hasn't been won over by Maomao's problem solving talents yet. Like Gaoshun, he has a lot of stress trying to keep his inquisitive charge on a tight leash. Compared to last week, he doesn't have much of a role beyond acting as Maomao's living passkey into private households Maomao would otherwise have no way of entering even on official business. Give him a few more weeks doing escort duty with Maomao (assuming she gets more of these puzzles to solve) and she'll win him over, maybe.

As for the puzzle itself, it's a very clever one and Maomao deserves a lot of credit for figuring out the solution using the clues available to her. Not sure how many casual viewers could have done the same thing with the time she was given; the keyhold trick was a clever one especially after Maomao explained it with the help of that diagram. I'm not a metallurgist, so had to look up what alloys tin and lead can create. It appears Solder and Pewter are the products available to the third son to craft, which is a virtual monopoly given the technological state of Maomao's universe.

Maomao's appearance is a cross between her usual appearance and her courtesan doll-up, so she'll turn more heads compared to her usual freckled self. Not sure what Jinshi is planning in leaving the palace incognito with her accompanying him; there are less troublesome ways to go on a date with the courtesan you redeemed.

#17

Unusually for this franchise, this is the first episode this quarter that has no mystery for Maomao to solve. Without it, the tone of the episode is very different as it shifts from visual entertainment to a much darker tone by the end of the episode. The connection between this week and the main storyline is only made clear when viewers see the trailer for next week, as we are not told what guest Jinshi is meeting incognito at a public place.

A lot of the episode is seeing Jinshi getting the full disguise treatment from Maomao, with Suiren and Gaoshun mostly watching on. Maomao gets her pound of flesh when she decides to experiment, which Suiren gets even with after springing the trap they had laid in wait. Beyond that, it's watching Jinhua (mostly) enjoying his date with a dressed up Maomao. Maomao gets a few more clues as to who Jinshi really is, but she hasn't really connected the dots just yet despite the last season where she put forward a hypothesis about the true relationship between Ah Duo and Jinshi. Jinshi in turn learns who Maomao's adopted father is, and unlike Maomao he is starting to connect the dots about who he really is. However, I don't think he'll get to the point Maomao has reached without meeting Maomao's father in person and doing research as the old man had been exiled from the palace just after Jinshi's birth.

The trailer gives a big hint on why Maomao is on leave, and with the episode title being what it is the monocled one might have another prominent part to play in this emerging storyline.

#18

This episode simply confirmed what had been hinted at way back in season one as well as the last few episodes: namely Maomao's parentage. It's also much darker in tone carrying over from the end of last week's episode, despite the various insertions of cat Maomao in the second half. It's also clear Maomao has met her biological father before and goes to great lengths to avoid him where possible.

Although the focus is on Maomao's parentage, the episode drops even more hints on Jinshi's true identity. Lakan might needle him for redeeming Maomao from the brothel, but that's apparently the limit he can do before Jinshi retaliates. As matters of state are concerned, neither can afford to antagonise nor undermine the other too much given their respective positions (I'm assuming Jinshi is that high up according to Maomao's season one hypothesis). If Lakan is already aware of Jinshi's true identity and his affections for Maomao, will further escalation take place? Otherwise, it's an impasse as Jinshi will stonewall Lakan for as long as he can.

The tall secretary from the start of season two is formally introduced. Romanisation reverts to the stock Japanese reading for her name, which is easier to pronounce and spell for the non native speakers. She has admirers at the military pharmacy but isn't too interested in reciprocating them. Also, it appears the next major mystery (haven't had any for two weeks straight now) will come from Suiren as she tests Maomao's skills the same way Lakan has been probing her problem solving capabilities. Might be a while yet, since the trailer indicates it's shifting focus to Jinshi.

#19

You wouldn't guess from the episode title, but this is the week where everything that has happened over the last few weeks comes to a head. So many coincidences, but Lihaku's casual conversation with Maomao allows her to connect the dots and in the end she prevents an assassination at the last possible moment. All the hints regarding Jinshi's true identity are also brought to a conclusion, as his role in what is exclusively an imperial ceremony effectively remove any doubts over who he really is.

There are of course a few more questions to answer after this week, namely the roles played by Suirei and Lakan in all this. The former is now the prime suspect in attempting an assassination Hitman 47 would be proud of, while the latter's looks of absolute shock at the end of the episode can be interpreted multiple ways, some of which could be used against him in the investigation that is sure to follow. Maomao for her part is too concussed to worry about all this, but Jinshi won't resist putting her back on the case if he can continue to lure her with exotic medicines as a lure.

Compared to the first season, there is an element of unfairness in expecting casual viewers to work out how so many unrelated incidents could coalesce into such a dramatic conclusion. Regardless, those who have been following Maomao's adventures since her redemption from the brothel would have just about caught up with where she stood when the librarian started talking about tensile strength and heavy weights in the ceremonial hall. How the series closes the arc from here will go a long way in determining its end of season assessment on its mystery credentials.

#20

The aftermath of the attempted assassination answers a few questions, but it leaves more unanswered. Jinshi and the authorities have already fingered Suirei to be the culprit thanks to Maomao's good work, but she's stayed one step ahead of them and given them the slip. Without modern technology to help them, it would take a miracle for the court to catch her if she's intent on leaving the country. However, I don't think that's the end of her appearances in this season and Maomao might well get her wish to learn the medicine she's been trying to prepare.

Besides the big bombshell which is Jinshi's real age, learning that Gaoshun has a family despite ostensibly being a eunuch is significant moving forward. Jinshi real age lends credence to the theory put forward last season that he's really the current emperor's surviving son, while Gaoshun having grandchildren already despite his age suggests he's made plans for his job at the rear palace from years back and had everything sorted out so that the side effect for taking the medication isn't an issue when he's already achieved everything he wanted as far as family is concerned.

Is it a coincidence Loulan is reintroduced at this juncture having not made an appearance since Maomao's lecture? What role does she have to play, given her political sensitivity and proximity to the Empress Dowager's faction? One of the biggest plot points of last season was the rash of infant deaths relating to the imperial succession, does that issue once again rear its head the same way it did for Lishu's attempted poisoning and Ah Duo's departure from the rear palace?

Kudos to Suirei, those were some very well crafted plans and her escape was daring to say the least. It is nice to have an antagonist who at the very least can pose a challenge to Maomao.

#21

After all of the seriousness in the last few weeks, a bit of comedic entertainment to cleanse the palate before the main story resumes next week.

The quack doctor making a reappearance was a surprise, as is his exposition of his background to Maomao. It seems out of place, unless by some strange coincidence he is Suirei's relative and taught her the skills she needed to pull off her plans. That would be quite something, although not unlikely as any obvious connection between the two would have been noticed by the investigating authorities by now.

The main focus is on Lihaku. When he hears news about the object of his affections about to be redeemed, it's almost the end of the world for him. Cue Maomao to see if she can do something to change that. Although it appears an impossible match due to the monetary requirements, it turns out Lihaku probably has the best chance of all her suitors provided he keeps his vow to Jinshi that he will earn the redemption fee by his own hands rather than the charity of dubious sources. Maomao herself acknowledges Lihaku's physical attributes make him highly compatible to Paimei's own needs, and she has an unexpected romantic streak which he can definitely exploit if he earns the money while her narrow window of opportunity remains open. One to watch, as I doubt they'll resolve this pairing within the remaining airtime.

As for Jinshi, getting strung along by Maomao's easily misunderstood commentary only to be struck by the unexpected punchline is one of the funnier moments of the episode. With his misunderstanding gone, he then recognises Lihaku as someone he could use as an asset now that their mutual acquaintance Maomao has somehow forged a connection between them. Although the offer was declined, Jinshi respects the decision which moving forward might well be to Lihaku's benefit if he needs another patron for advancement.

#22

It's been a while since Rakan gave another challenge to Maomao using Jinshi as an intermediary to solve. One would think he wouldn't bother now that the attempted assassination had failed, but his daughter is still technically under Jinshi's employ and his protection so there's every reason to give them headaches, as per his "right" as the biological father.

Maomao on the other hand didn't forget what happened when she prevented the assassination. It's clear she despises him, and given her personality she can be nudged the right way into taking up a challenge. The blue roses challenge is something modern viewers who went through school science experiments will be more than familiar with, as Maomao said the hard part was the greenhouse needed to force the roses to bloom early (Maomao only does this as a one-off, probably not worth the resources to do year-round even for the emperor's pleasure to have roses in the off-season). Unlike modern technology which can do the donkey work of constant temperature and humidity management, Maomao has to put in the hard graft and sacrifice sleep as she's the only one with the technical knowledge. Although not a complete success, it does pay off and once again she has the emperor's personal attention. The Big Man himself is a good sport, and plays the official part impassively.

Rakan's worldview is an interesting one: he can't seem to distinguish between faces unless he has a deep personal connection with the individual in question. Unsurprisingly, Maomao is an actual individual to him instead of just a game piece. Her mother would be too, since he still remembers the manicure colour she had which Maomao herself still favours. There might be some kind of psychological impediment which makes him see people like that, but it paradoxically aids his job as all he needs to do is manage human resources properly to earn his coin. Not seeing faces as they should be aids impartiality. On paper I wouldn't give Maomao any chance against him playing Chinese Chess, but will he go easy on her? Or does she have some kind of plan to make him lose face with Jinshi and Gaoshun in attendance during the game?

There's the small matter of the overarching assassination story thread to contend with. The episode takes great pains into explaining how Loulan's father remains highly influential as part of the Dowager faction, which viewers might remember had a part to play in the previous attempted poisoning incident in the first quarter. Is there some kind of connection between Suirei and Loulan? That doesn't look like it'll resolve anytime soon, at least not until the palace authorities can find and catch Suirei.

#23

This episode gives viewers one lesson to take away: verbal communication really is a key component in forging and maintaining relationships. No matter how common the interests are between two parties, if they fail to speak to each other the consequences of misunderstanding can be dire. And so it proves between Rakan and Housen.

For all of Rakan's unsavoury talk regarding lowering of a courtesan's value, it turns out he didn't do it deliberately to win her hand over competing suitors. Housen for her part embodied the artisan geisha, so she was willing to sleep with Rakan because he was the only one who gave her a good game at Weiqi (it's not stated, but because Rakan has a reputation for invincibility at Xiangqi she probably lost him as much as he did to her at Weiqi). And from that one night Maomao was conceived. Taking after her mother's looks, her father's eccentricity and both of their intellects (though not necessarily academic intelligence) she had the potential which her adopted father (and biological grand-uncle) helped to nurture.

Interesting connection between Meimei and Housen. The three princess courtesans are so good to Maomao because they owed Housen, Meimei in particular who learnt from both Rakan and Housen the art of Weiqi and has effectively inherited Housen's position as the courtesan who won't sleep with customers but entertains them with her skills. Ordinarily Rakan would not be allowed near Meimei in the state he was brought in, but he's an old (and unwelcome) customer to the brothel so they let him through. As he lost the challenge with Maomao (who was never going to lose), he has to keep his promise and redeem Maomao's mother (whose price has fallen so far even he can afford it now in his current position).

As for Maomao, the plan at the beginning didn't really involve skill at Xiangqi at all. All she needed to do was know the moves since she knew she would lose in an even match against Rakan. The difference being she knew what he thought of her, and that he would willingly lose a match to her as he has a soft spot for her and wanted to adopt her if she lost the best of five but wanted to give her face. What remained was for him to drink at least one of the alcohol-laced tea cups, which wasn't difficult as at least one cup with alcohol would be drunk by him no matter the outcome thanks to his willingness to lose one match for her. She in turn is impossible to drink under the table, and it's clear the second cup she drank was alcohol laced. The probability of the third cup was 2 out of 3, and knowing Rakan he would have lost a fourth game if he had picked the 1 cup which was not laced with alcohol. Enough of a gamble on probabilities to make the outcome less than iron-clad, but enough to effect the desired outcome she was aiming for.

Now that Rakan's past with Maomao has been fully exposited, what remains of the airtime can deal with the aftermath of Jinshi's attempted assassination. Will there be enough time to close that arc off satisfactorily? From what I can tell, there's more source material after this which can await future adaptations if the demand is there.

A Xanatos Gambit.

@Harleyquin

The cups were not "laced" with alcohol, they were filled with it. As Jinshi noted when she opened the container, the liquid she poured was distilled spirits. The anime doesn't say, but according to the novel, the powder she poured in was a mixture of salt and sugar, to speed the absorption of the alcohol. Based on the size of the cups, Laken downed the equivalent of two or three shots of high proof vodka.

His being tee-total might not be through choice as well, like many asians he could lack the ability to produce aldehyde dehydrogenase in his liver to breakdown alcohol.

#24 End

In the end, Maomao did what she thought was right for both her biological parents. It wasn't guaranteed, since Lakan had to figure out the clue she left him before realizing Fengxian was still alive. But he did eventually keep his promise, however late it was and with her close to death. His disability works out well for him in this case, because he can't see what she looks like in the present and only remembers her from her prime. But he also needs to realise she won't live for long, and to treat her well while he still can. Knowing him, they'll play board games for as long as she's able to. As for her, not sure if she bears the grudge against him for taking so long but it looks like she'll end her days much happier than she otherwise would have been.

On the other hand, it's good that they're adapting more of the source material as this quarter only finished one of the two major storylines presented. The attempted assassination and the links between Loulan and her family to the deed will probably be the next major story arc, but that will be for next year. Just as well, rushing this adaptation would have only risked its quality and many source material and casual viewers are happy to have a polished final product in exchange for the wait.

For two quarters, I've fully enjoyed a show which has occupied its own niche since the start of its airtime and has easily held its own even against heavyweights like Frieren. Its core audience is very pleased with the output and can't wait for more, as unlike Frieren this will have a continuation that is being worked on. It'll be fun to see how the human relationships developed from the beginning progress as time goes on, since Jinshi hasn't made any inroads into Maomao's affections. Pairin and Lihaku are more likely to get hitched before the main pair (depending on how quickly Lihaku can stump up the exorbitant cost required to buy out the contract). The cases too are very well done given the constraints they have to work with, and that's another aspect I'm looking forward to seeing more of next year.

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