“Anne with an E” is a Canadian period drama television series adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables. The series, created by Moira Walley-Beckett, stars Amybeth McNulty as Anne Shirley, along with Geraldine James as Marilla Cuthbert, R.H. Thomson as Matthew Cuthbert, Dalila Bela as Diana Barry, and Lucas Jade Zumann as Gilbert Blythe.
Episode 8 marks a turning point for several characters, filled with emotional vulnerability and significant transformations. Here’s a breakdown of key storylines and developments.
Anne’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Unearthing the Past
In this episode, Anne grapples with a profound revelation about her identity. She discovers a clue related to her biological parents, igniting a quest for self-discovery. This journey leaves her unsettled but determined to uncover her origins. Anne’s exploration into her past is juxtaposed with the present realities of her life in Avonlea, creating a compelling narrative of identity and belonging.
Confronting Emotions
As Anne’s primary education nears its end, she finds herself understanding her emotions. With the support of Aunt Josephine, Anne confronts not her love for Gilbert, but Diana. After the exams and being confronted by Minnie May, Diana apologizes to Anne and reconciles. With one less worry, Anne realizes she loves Gilbert.
Performing at White Sands
Anne gets to perform in White Sands. Not even Gilbert was asked to perform, despite tying for first place in the Queen’s exams with her. Anne’s first selection is Carolina Oliphant’s “The Maiden’s Vow,” written dialectically in a Scottish accent. She also recites alongside a professional elocutionist, Mrs. Evans, who chooses a more traditional poem, Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “The Flower that Smiles To-Day”.
Gilbert’s Ambitions and Affections
Pursuing Dreams
Gilbert Blythe takes significant steps toward pursuing his dreams of studying medicine. This ambition adds complexity to his feelings for Anne, creating both emotional and geographical distance between them.
Unspoken Feelings
Cinematography captures Gilbert’s feelings and how he sees Anne, full of surprises and developments, with each character getting deeper. Gilbert and Anne acknowledge and appreciate each other. Gilbert has acknowledged his feelings more than Anne, who has recently started to acknowledge them.
Winnifred’s Offer
Gilbert dines with Winnifred and her family. Winnifred’s dad approves of Gilbert and offers to fund his medical degree at Sorbonne if he proposes to his daughter.
Diana’s Crossroads
Questioning Expectations
Diana Barry faces a crossroads as she questions her future and the limitations imposed by her family’s expectations. Her parents don’t believe that Diana needs to pursue higher education as a girl. Diana has a difficult journey to finding her comfort zone, working against what others would want her to be. Diana’s aunt Josephine helps steer her against the tide under the pretense of doing community work.
Reconciliation with Anne
Reconciliation between characters can seem rushed, but with Anne and Diana, their reconnection makes sense. After all, the reason they split was their own internalized issues more than each other. When it comes to Anne, she may never feel good enough. After the exams and being confronted by Minnie May, Diana apologizes to Anne and reconciles.
Taking the Exam
There is a surprise student taking the exam: Diana. Aunt Jo encourages Diana to take the exam and live the life she wants and not what her parents want. So Diana has to sneak off to the take the exam.
Other Characters’ Journeys
Miss Stacy’s Next Move
With the destruction of the schoolhouse, Miss Stacy believes she might be done with the town and plans her next move.
Rachel’s Action
Anne gets on Rachel’s case, and with her not knowing what went down, the insult, added to the injury of how they treated her days before, leads her to action. The kind of action which reconfigures how the board works, with one woman manipulating 4 men to add 3 women to the board, thus giving balance.
Hazel’s Adjustment
Hazel adjusts to Avonlea, as most Black people we’ve seen do. Hazel spent her whole life in service, forced into a position of making herself smaller to make a living and survive.
Bash’s Mom
Bash’s mom arrives to Avonlea, and after spending the majority of her life in service to others, primarily white people, she doesn’t understand how things operate.
Ka’Kwet
Ka’Kwet escapes, which was harrowing. It is hoped that she is safe with her family and that she won’t be forced to go back to the residential school.
Themes and Analysis
Identity and Belonging
Episode 8 delves into themes of identity and belonging, particularly through Anne’s quest to discover her origins. The episode underscores the importance of understanding one’s past in shaping their present and future.
Ambition and Personal Growth
The episode balances personal growth, ambition, and the longing for connection, making it a resonant installment. The courage required to embrace change is also explored.
Relationships
The reconciliation between Anne and Diana highlights the importance of forgiveness and understanding in maintaining meaningful relationships. The dynamic between Anne and Gilbert continues to evolve, marked by unspoken feelings and the complexities of pursuing individual dreams.
Performances and Directing
Amybeth McNulty delivers an exceptional performance as Anne, navigating a spectrum of emotions with remarkable authenticity. Lucas Jade Zumann as Gilbert complements Anne’s arc with a quiet yet powerful performance, conveying his internal conflict. Dalila Bela shines as Diana. Director Anne Wheeler expertly captures the episode’s emotional intensity while maintaining a delicate balance between the individual storylines.
Reception and Impact
Critical Acclaim
“Great and Sudden Change” has been praised for its emotional depth and exploration of universal themes. Cinematography and imagery are splendid.
Audience Response
The episode is a turning point in the series that weaves together moments of profound transformation and emotional vulnerability. It tackles universal themes with sensitivity and depth while remaining deeply rooted in the unique experiences of its characters.
