Charlottetown, PEI – Fans of the beloved Netflix series Anne with an E were left with a mix of satisfaction and sorrow following its third and final season finale, “The Better Feelings of My Heart,” which aired in late 2019. The episode delivered many long-awaited resolutions for Anne Shirley-Cuthbert and her friends as they navigated the cusp of adulthood, but also underscored the show’s untimely cancellation.
The finale tied up several key narrative threads, most notably the tumultuous romance between Anne (Amybeth McNulty) and Gilbert Blythe (Lucas Jade Zumann), while also seeing the characters embark on new academic journeys and Anne gaining crucial insights into her past.
Anne and Gilbert: A Love Letter Finally Read
The central romantic tension of the series reached its crescendo in the final episode. Following a series of misunderstandings fueled by misplaced letters and unread confessions, Anne and Gilbert finally confronted their true feelings for each other. Gilbert, after breaking off his engagement to Winifred, rushed to find Anne, leading to a heartfelt reunion and their first kiss. Their mutual declarations of love solidified their bond, with the pair agreeing to be pen pals as they pursued their respective higher education — Gilbert at the University of Toronto for medicine and Anne at Queen’s College.
The Misunderstandings That Almost Kept Them Apart
Prior to their emotional reconciliation, both Anne and Gilbert endured significant romantic hurdles. Anne had previously written a letter confessing her feelings, which Gilbert never received. Simultaneously, Gilbert’s attempt to write a similar confession was misinterpreted by Anne, who believed he was announcing an engagement to Winifred, leading her to tear up his letter in despair. It was a timely intervention from Winifred herself, who informed Anne of Gilbert’s true affections, that helped clear the air.
New Beginnings at Queen’s College
The finale also saw Anne and her friends successfully pass their Queen’s College entrance exams. Diana Barry (Dalila Bela), despite her parents’ initial disapproval and insistence on finishing school, ultimately received permission to attend Queen’s alongside Anne, setting them up as roommates. This outcome was a significant win for Diana, who had long struggled against her parents’ conservative expectations.
Discovering Anne’s Roots
A poignant storyline involved Anne’s relentless search for information about her birth parents. Marilla (Geraldine James) and Matthew Cuthbert (R.H. Thomson) supported her quest, ultimately finding a book that belonged to Anne’s mother, Bertha, which contained a hand-drawn picture of her. This discovery offered Anne a profound sense of connection to her past, revealing that her mother was a teacher and providing a moment of closure for the orphan who had longed for knowledge of her origins.
Matthew’s Reconciliation
Matthew, initially distant and seemingly making plans to replace Anne, later reconciled with her, revealing his behavior was a struggle to cope with the thought of losing her to college. He and Marilla actively sought out details of Anne’s past, reinforcing their unconditional love.
Other Character Arcs Concluded
Several other characters saw their storylines resolved or set on new paths:
- Bash’s Family Life: Elijah, Bash’s stepson, returned seeking forgiveness and a place in Delphine’s life, with Bash eventually allowing him to stay after seeing his sincerity.
- Miss Stacy’s Influence: The progressive teacher, Miss Stacy, continued to inspire her students and even assisted Gilbert in securing his acceptance to the University of Toronto.
The Bittersweet End of an Era
Despite the satisfying resolutions for many characters, the finale of “Anne with an E” was overshadowed by its status as a series finale, not merely a season closer. The show’s cancellation after its third season left many fans and critics lamenting the stories that would remain untold, such as Matthew’s eventual death and Marilla taking in other children, as depicted in L.M. Montgomery’s later novels. While the final episode provided a sweet conclusion to Anne’s journey into young adulthood, the premature ending meant that much of Anne’s future, as imagined by Montgomery, would not be explored on screen in this adaptation.
