Disguise was a key theme in this installment (season 2 episode 16). In a vague sense, we all wear masks to interact with others socially. And people like Maomao – who are probably on the Autism Spectrum – often mask their natural traits and try to act “normal” to fit in better. I think that’s why masks are the visual theme of the new opening song. Everyone has an outer persona that can hide parts of one’s true self.
Maomao wears a metaphorical social mask, but some take the idea of disguising their identity to an extreme level. In other words, some people in this series are literally wearing disguises at all times. Jinshi’s identity as a eunuch manager in the rear palace is a disguise. Lady Ah-Duo, who was Jinshi’s mother, also disguised herself as the Imperial Younger Brother, functioning as his double while he was busy.
The examples go on as we consider Shishui, who is almost certainly Lady Loulan disguised as a servant girl. Last but not least, Suirei has been living disguised as a eunuch and working near the clinic. As you can see, disguises are a major theme in this episode. Let’s go over the rest of what happened, too.
Episode 40: Festering Resentment
Episode Rating: 9/10
Early in the episode, we had a few good moments with Luomen. He settled into life at the rear palace, assigned to the doctor’s building with Guen. I really love the character of Luomen and his versatile mind. He made a list of things that needed improvement in the rear palace and found a clever way to circulate copies of it. Luomen’s friend and student, an unnamed old man who spoke to Maomao, said that Luomen became a doctor because he felt pity for the homeless and impoverished. Luomen is basically a philanthropist with his doctoring skills, proving his strong, altruistic character.
Maomao went to the clinic to drop off some cleaning alcohol. While there, she sat and had tea with Lady Shenlu. According to Maomao’s deductions, it was probably Shenlu who taught Shin about abortion-inducing ingredients. However, Maomao had no proof of Shenlu’s guilt and didn’t wish to see the clinic shut down anyway. She resolved not to do anything, even though Shenlu’s resentment toward the emperor’s blood was almost tangible in the air.
There’s something I didn’t like about the framing of this issue. It seems to me that the narrative makes it sound a little like the ladies at the clinic were wrong to be resentful. Or that they are somehow overreacting. In reality, all those women were victims, and their resentment was justified. However, terminating some concubine’s fetus isn’t a very effective or productive way to get revenge. In addition, I understand Maomao trying to stop further violence for everyone’s sake.
Before she left the clinic, Maomao saw some books and decided to take a look. Shenlu said she could borrow one. Maomao found the book about insects where Shisui learned about glowing butterflies. It must have been Shisui who donated this book. But if Shisui could read, write, and afford high-quality books, why was she a humble servant girl? Maomao’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Suirei.
She was disguised as a eunuch, but Maomao saw through the disguise right away and considered trying to scream or run. Unfortunately, Suirei had a hostage: Shisui. With Shisui being held by the throat at the point of two blades, Maomao had no choice but to cooperate. Suirei said she would take Maomao outside of the rear palace. She also knew there was no way Maomao could resist following her if there was any chance of learning about the “resurrection medicine.”
The scene cuts away after this, and we’re left to assume Maomao did indeed follow Suirei out of the palace. The next scene was about Lakan and his meeting with the Imperial Brother and Lord Shishou, the father of Lady Loulan. Seemingly, Lakan suspects Shishou of distributing the firearms for the assassination attempt during the hunting trip. Lakan was entertaining as always in this scene, but I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish by proving that Shishou was colorblind.
The Imperial Brother was actually Ah-Duo in disguise. She was covering for Jinshi, as he was reportedly preoccupied by the disappearance of Maomao. According to Ah-Duo, Maomao has been declared missing. We don’t know how long it’s been.
That’s where the episode left off, but I still have to blabber about how amazing it was to see Ah-Duo again. She’s so attractive! It was great that she got to cross-dress, since she seems to love acting masculine. I wonder if she’s genderqueer. That would be a very cool way to look at the character. Anyway, great episode.
~Thanks for Reading~
Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants
