And I have mixed feelings... So every couple years I re-read the Anne books. They are one of favorite comfort reads. I've watch quite a few Anne adaptations since I first read the books, but I usually only re-watch Sullivan's Anne series as of late. This year I decided to also re-watch Anne with an E. I've been hesitant to re-watch it because I was quite sad when it was cancelled and I was afraid to be disappointed.
Now that I've watched it twice, I'm wanted to write a review that I can look back at one day. It's always interesting to see how your feelings change. I'm going to section this review by season, general grievances and praises. P.S. I'm using pictures from the wiki. Reviews are more fun with pictures.
Season 1
I have the least complaints about Season 1. I think it's the best season of the three and the truest to the Anne books. This season also has covers many of the iconic scenes: Anne breaking a slate over Gilbert's head, Anne accidentally getting Diana drunk, Anne saving Minnie May, and Matthew buying Anne a dress with puff sleeves. All great scenes with slightly different interpretations, especially the drunken Diana scene, but all extremely enjoyable.
For the most part, all the characters are played well. Marilla seems a little too harsh in the first episode and a little too sentimental at times. Matthew having a first love seems a little un-Matthewish, but it doesn't take anything away from the plot and give him some backstory. Gilbert is more interesting in this series, even compared to the books. I especially liked how his plot with his father intersects with Marilla. Jerry is my favorite addition and his sibling-like relationship with Anne is so cute. And lastly, Josie, Billy, and Mr. Phillips are just easy to hate.
One part I thought ridiculous was Matthew's quest to get Anne back in the second episode. It just felt like a waste of time and Anne's speech to Matthew at the station felt unrealistic. This series is also incredibly bleak from the start. Anne having PTSD from her past experiences is understandable but feels unnecessaryingly jarring. Her being generally disliked and bullied by Avonlea and her classmates is especially something that felt trying to get through. It's just too bleak. Of course, she eventually earns the friendship of several characters. But this Anne will never be the universally liked Anne of the books.
One last thing, I'm mixed on the plot of Matthew mortgaging the farm and the consequences of it. Parts of it are good like Matthew's heart issue which would've been a great foreshadowing had the series continued. However, the plot mostly felt like filler to establish a new storyline for Season 2.
Season 2
Ah, Season 2. Where do I start? I disliked a lot of this season. It starts off with the con artist plot which is most definitely filler and lasts for three episodes. There aren't any consequences. And it leaves off with one con artist getting away and the other sympathetic one being caught. We don't even get to learn the fates of either of them. I will say that I like how it affects the Barrys and seeing the family come together. But like I said, there are no consequences and soon the family is as rich as ever.
Gilbert's plot is a tad on the ridiculous side and really serves to introduce his new friend, Sebastian "Bash", who is the first black character in the Anne franchise. I will forgive the slight ridiculousness because I really like Bash. He's the best character introduced in this series. His plot is easily one of the most compelling and I loved it every time he was on screen. Ending the season with his marriage to Mary was also *chef's kiss*.
Circling over to Anne. She, unfortunately, comes off more annoying in this season. She is constantly making mistakes, but not really learning from them, and she is always putting her foot in her mouth. I felt bad that Miss Stacy didn't really like her at first, but I probably wouldn't have either. Anne still has her nice moments though, particularly her new friendship with Cole. They really hit the nail on the head with the theme song "Ahead by a Century." Anne definitely feels like someone who would immediately accept Cole for being gay.
Now about Aunt Josephine. I think this plot was handled somewhat clumsily, though well-intentioned. Aunt Josephine was really going to come out to her family at her Big Gay Bash? Really? I think the writers actually just wanted to have a Big Gay Bash (yes, I'm calling it that again) to show queer people at the time, but I think it could've been handled better. Anyway, as only Diana can go, she is the only one that learns that she is gay and she doesn't take it well. I think Anne was a bit mean to Diana here. Her reaction was pretty realistic for the time and she eventually comes around anyway.
Cole, I think, was similarly mishandled towards the closing of his storyline. I liked the first part of his story, such as Billy bullying him and the girls all befriending him. But I started to dislike his story just after the Big Gay Bash. So Cole realizes Mr. Phillips is also gay, but I don't buy this for a second. The writers just threw that in. He was explicitly being very creepy and sexual to Prissy in Season 1! Besides that, I hated Cole lashing out at Anne when the Story Club was destroyed by Billy and co. And then Cole's happy ending is to live with Miss Josephine. This all felt rushed and what about his family?
One thing this season did well was giving characters more traits and backstory. I enjoyed seeing Josie with her horrible mother. No wonder Josie is so unpleasant. Or seeing Billy rethink his destructive actions, though he won't really ever change. Prissy is given more agency in this version. Her leaving Mr. Phillips at the alter was especially gratifying. And lastly, we finally get Miss Stacy in the final two episodes. Mr. Phillips definitely overstayed his welcome.
Season 3
The final season. Despite my complaints, it's still sad that this is the final season and we'll never even get to see the whole first Anne book covered. All well, this season at least improves on the second. The tone of the third season is more consistent, though I will still air my complaints about the story.
First, Anne has moved on from being annoying to self-righteous and selfish. She goes off and does whatever she wants, thinking that she is always right. This comes into play particularly with Marilla and Diana. While the Marilla part comes off like growing pains and she at least apologizes to her, ending in a rather sweet moment. Though I did notice that she continues doing whatever she wants for the rest of the season, nonetheless. Sigh. As for her fight with Diana... Sigh again.
So Diana, feeling stifled in her already planned out life, starts a fling with Jerry. This was cute while it lasted and I loved it when Diana visited his big, merry family. Anne learns of the relationship through a sad Jerry and the whole thing is blown out of proportion. Diana meant no harm towards Jerry, though she should've been more honest. Anne tears into Diana, whom always been there for Anne. I'm on Diana's side here obviously. I couldn't believe how mean Anne was to her. They make-up of course, but I found it unsatisfying.
As for Josie's storyline, I'm not sure how I feel about it to be honest. Josie was a good character to pick for it at least, because it challenges our empathy. However, I'm not a fan of Anne's actions and a storyline about sexual harassment suddenly turns into a freedom of speech storyline. I'm just not sure about it at all. Part of me just feels bothered by it, but I can't pinpoint the exact reason.
Now for one of the new characters, Ka'kwet. Her storyline was equal parts heartbreaking and horrifying. I loved that they added this part about the Mi'kmaq and residential schools in Canada. Everyone should definitely learn more about these two topics. The storyline was especially heartbreaking when Ka'kwet escaped only to be taken back again. The last glance of her we have is her looking out a window at her parents who are determined to save her one day. The fact that we will never get a happy resolution to this storyline is heartbreaking.
Speaking of heartbreaking, we have Bash and Mary's storyline. I sobbed the whole episode when we learn she's dying. However, I loved that it felt more like a celebration of Mary and they wisely chose not to show her actually dying. For the rest of the season, quite beautifully, Bash goes through the stages of grief while caring for their daughter. Mary's wayward son Elijah also has a nice, small redemption arc. Also we have the return of Bash's mother whom he has a complicated relationship with. I love the banter between these two. All around Bash gets an A+++
Now we've reached Gilbert's storyline. I did not like it much this season. First, his thing with Winifred, is just some more filler. I know and you know that's he's going to end up with Anne. There's absolutely no point to Winifred. I would've been smarter to reverse it and introduce a love interest for Anne instead. The constant misunderstandings between Gilbert and Anne are also exhausting. Like the saga with the letters. Gilbert doesn't get Anne's letter; Anne tears up his letter and then fails to put it together. Ugh. Besides that, I enjoyed seeing Gilbert pursuing his doctor dreams and being a supportive friend of Bash.
Lastly, I want to talk about the end. Though the series was sadly cancelled, I think the finale is a rather good last episode. We see Anne and her classmates go to Queen's Academy. Diana also gets to go, after her parents have opposed the whole season. Gilbert and Anne finally admit their feelings in kind of a rushed manner, but I'll take it. And they wrap up Anne's quest to learn about her birth parents. Marilla and Matthew find a book once owned by her parents. This was the perfect way to end the season and I assure you I was sobbing the whole time.
General Grievances and Praises
Strangely, my main complaint and praise for the series is characterization. Characters that we know so well from the books, Anne, Marilla, and Matthew, often do things that their book counterparts would decidedly not do. Of course, this won't matter to people who haven't read the books. So I'll conclude that it doesn't hamper the series overall. However, the characterization of all the other characters is nearly impeccable. Like I said before, many characters are given some traits and backstory. We get to see many of them when Anne's not there. The people all feel like someone you could meet in real life
Another complaint I have, however, is the general bleakness of the series. It almost feels like the writers want to keep Anne is a constant state of despair. I mean, how many bad things can happen to one person? Avonlea sometimes feels too real. I don't exactly want to imagine the place I've dreamed of as full of prejudice. I get that they were going for "realism" but it feels very tiring at times. Thankfully, the series has a lot of hopeful moments so it's not all despair and prejudice.
Praise goes to every actor who worked on the series. Everyone was perfectly cast. Amybeth McNulty (Anne), Geraldine James (Marilla), and R.H. Thomas (Matthew) look exactly how I picture these characters and have the acting chops to pull them off. And this applies to almost every other actor. Other praise goes to the cinematography (this is one beautiful show), directing, and writing. I have some complaints about the writing, but it was generally very good.
In conclusion, though I have some mixed feelings about the story direction, Anne with an E is a thoroughly entertaining show. I don't regret watching it again, but I probably won't re-watch it for a few years (because of the bleakness, you know). I'm more of a Sullivan's Anne after all (though I'll admit it has a lot issues too). Anne with an E is a good Anne for this generation and I can't wait to see what Anne comes next! And thanks if you've read my ramblings until now!
P.S. I really enjoyed seeing people from Road to Avonlea. First, R.H. Thomson, who is such a good actor, I was able to forget he was Jasper Dale. Then David Fox's (Clive Pettibone, John Barry too!) cameo in Season 2 was so cute because it referenced both his roles in the Anne-verse. There's Ian Clark (Simon Tremayne) as the stationmaster, a very welcome addition to the first episode! I'm re-watching Road to Avonlea soon so I'll be glad to see them all again.