Episode 22 of the recent “Anne Shirley” anime series delves deep into the emotional complexities of young adulthood, particularly focusing on Anne’s evolving feelings and the significant life changes happening around her. The episode centers on Diana Barry’s wedding to Fred Wright, an event that serves as a catalyst for Anne to confront her own romantic entanglements and fears about the future.
Diana Barry and Fred Wright’s Wedding
The episode’s central event is the wedding of Anne’s dearest friend, Diana Barry, to Fred Wright. Anne serves as a bridesmaid, while Gilbert Blythe takes on the role of best man. This joyous occasion, however, is tinged with bittersweet emotions for Anne. While genuinely happy for her friends, Diana’s marriage signifies a profound shift in their relationship and a step into a new, more adult phase of life that Anne is both drawn to and wary of. The wedding highlights the progression of life in Avonlea and implicitly pressures Anne to consider her own future.
Anne’s Romantic Crossroads: Gilbert, Roy, and Self-Discovery
A significant emotional current throughout Episode 22 is Anne’s ongoing internal struggle with her romantic choices. She is being actively courted by Roy Gardner, whom she has accepted after rejecting Gilbert Blythe’s earlier proposal. However, the episode makes it clear that Anne does not genuinely love Roy. Her affections for him feel “performative,” and even those around her, including Marilla and Davy and Dora, seem to sense her lack of true feeling for Roy.
The wedding, with Gilbert present as the best man, reignites the undeniable chemistry and connection between Anne and Gilbert. They share a heart-to-heart conversation, falling back into their old rhythm of easy companionship. This interaction further emphasizes Anne’s realization that she might have made the wrong choice by rejecting Gilbert. Many onlookers at the wedding express disappointment that Anne and Gilbert are not together, given how “perfect” they appear to be.
Themes of Change and Growing Up
“Anne Shirley – Episode 22” strongly explores themes of change, fear of the unknown, and the often-uncomfortable transition into adulthood. Anne laments Diana’s marriage not as a loss of Diana, but as the “end of something” – a phase of life where their friendship existed in a particular, innocent form. Despite her similar age, Anne still feels like a child at times, and her past experiences of instability before Green Gables make her naturally hesitant about further changes.
The episode portrays Anne grappling with societal expectations versus her own desires. She feels a duty to be happy with Roy, influenced by the romantic novels she adores, but her heart yearns for something more authentic. The narrative highlights the brilliance of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing in allowing Anne to resist what she is “supposed” to want, offering a powerful portrayal of a young woman navigating her own path amidst Victorian-era cultural norms.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Anne and Gilbert
The episode intensifies the romantic tension between Anne and Gilbert, leaving viewers eager for resolution. Anne’s internal monologue reveals her fear of losing their strong friendship if romance were to enter the equation, but also her burgeoning understanding that she might be hindering her own happiness. With Diana embarking on her married life, the episode sets the stage for Anne to finally confront her true feelings and potentially forge a new future, both for herself and with Gilbert.
