A review of The Apothecary Diaries shows how the White Snake Immortal changes the villain's formula.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 5 Saving the White Serpent A mystery that Maomao must solve

Season 3 of The Apothecary Diaries slowly lays the groundwork for Maomao's next greatest mystery, and in episode 53, "The White-Snake Immortal", she is given a case that could sink her teeth. That part is also listed as Season 3, Episode 5. After smaller mysteries sharpen her skills, the series changes the game by placing an enemy front and center throughout the season.

Lahan and Rikusan put Maomao at the forefront.

In season 2, Lahan's introduction gives viewers a glimpse of his adopted nephew Lake. Due to the tactical nature of the goal, he is interested in genius as well as fascinated by the beauty of numbers and the two may be biologically related. The similarity makes it difficult for him to get along with his brother, who sees a miniature version of the strange strategist that causes a headache for Mama.

Lahan is proud to be Maomao's brother. Despite the fact that Rainbow has no respect for him and tries to drive him crazy, in an episode review it was stated that he had a big surprise this season. He will spend a lot of time with Lahan.

Lahan's arrival with his man Rikusan gives Maomao exactly what he wants: front row seats. An invitation to the theater allows him to witness a performance by the mysterious White Lady. Jinshi and Basen also arrive, but everyone is wearing masks or face coverings so they don't even realize that they are watching the same presentation.

There is no real magic in the White-Serpent Immortal's performance.

Maomao's desk hides her identity, and Jinshi seems suspicious for a second. Her job allows her to examine closely, recording everything around her: the thick and dusty ink used to write a number; the furniture with paper inserted into it that says she didn't see; when White Lady guesses both numbers and holes.

It is not known why Rainbow drank such a poison. Her mood was definitely changing. Returning to her seat, the white woman transforms copper into silver and gold, which amazes the audience with its magnificence.

At a dinner party at an expensive restaurant in town, Mama-O explains the trick on the table. Her reason is that salt was left behind from the ink so she could identify the number written on the paper and use air through holes like those of a violin to find out which pipe the paper had been put into. Knowing that White Lady has extraordinary hearing makes the explanation more rational and denies any evil during White-Snake Immortal's performance.

The white woman's side of the story is really an unsolved case.

So far, episode reviews have claimed that viewers have personally witnessed The White Lady do no good. For every strange thing she has done since the first series, the question is why? Her motivation to poison starving people in slums remains unanswered.

Her portrayal is as simple as it may seem. The review describes her as a fraud who sucks valuable money from the wealthy, an explanation that does not mask either her rapid disappearance from the city or the mysterious poisoning of many merchants. Maomao finds this aspect of White Lady difficult to figure out, but the analysis presents it as an interesting twist on an anime which follows the usual villain formula.

Season three keeps the truth at bay.

The Apothecary Diaries never followed the standard method, asking more questions than answers until the story itself was ready to reveal the truth. Season 2 locked Shisui and Suirei's motivations for a long time, and it wasn't until near the end of season two that audiences realised that Shisui had been lying to everyone.

It couldn't have been easier to uncover the truth about The White Lady, and it can't happen quickly. A mystery that slowly flares up with each story that takes place in both season 3 and season 2.

Brand, cast and reviewer's mixed decision

Images from the episode are provided by TOHO Animation Studios. & Rainbow (voice) and Takeo Otsuka are named Jinshi. The review states that the sibling rivalry between Maomao and Lahan is great, with Mammo praising seeing how easily he unravels the mystery of White Lady's performance and noting that he still feels a little slow for the season.

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