
Devastating news comes to Avonlea but, luckily, the community comes together to help ease the pain. If just for a day or two.
Network | ||
CBC/ Netflix | ||
Director(s) | Anne Wheeler | |
Writer(s) | Shernold Edwards | |
Air Date | 10/6/2019 | |
Introduced This Episode | ||
Jocelyn | Nicky Lawrence | |
Constance | Lisa Codrington |
Recap
The Prejudice Is Strong: Josie, Rachel, Ka’kwet, Mary
Being that Mary is used to the Bog, and the sense of community which came from everyone being poor, it makes many of the neighbors not wanting to come by and her having no reason to make huge meals a bit hard to deal with. Yet, what you expect when even the children, like Josie, are prejudice? If not, in the case of Rachel, ignorant and so afraid of those that are different, that when trying to speak to Ka’kwet and her parents about a re-education boarding school, she can’t bring herself to get close to them.
Which, by the way, being that they aren’t too sure about the idea, Ka’kwet’s parents are mixed about whether it will ultimately benefit their daughter or not. Though considering Canada’s, if not North American countries, and their relationships with the indigenous, we know well they have reasons to worry.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Are we going to see the horrors of how Native people were treated when at these boarding schools?
A Deadly Diagnosis: Dr. Ward, Anne, Gilbert, Sebastian, Marilla, Matthew, Mary, Elijah, Jerry
Due to Mary not feeling well, Gilbert has been making oatmeal, since neither he nor Bash really know how to cook, it makes getting a doctor a pressing matter. Leading to Dr. Ward diagnosing Mary with Sepsis, a blood disease, and with the medications to treat it either not existing yet, or just unknown to Dr. Ward, she is given a death sentence of one or two weeks.
This news is hard for Gilbert to deliver to Mary, but he does it. Leading to him wondering if he has it in him to become a doctor for doing this as part of his career seems to be a bit much for him. Yet, Anne tries to remind him that it is his heart which makes him the best one to deliver such news. Much less, with knowing loss, having empathy, it will make him a better doctor.
But, even with Anne’s encouraging words, that doesn’t take away the cloud this brings over Gilbert’s head. This is why, as Sebastian preps mentally and emotionally for loss, Gilbert handles trying to find Elijah. A task he fails in, since Elijah assumes Gilbert is trying to bring him to justice, so in the Bog, ignorant of the truth, Elijah remains.
However, while Elijah hides away, everyone else is hands-on. Even Matthew, who knows very little about children, helps with Delphine, with a few lessons from Jerry. As for Marilla? Well, she makes some food for Mary to eat, which Anne spices up, and brings about a brave face.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Did Mary get sepsis from cutting her hand when Elijah distracted her?
Gather Together In My Name: Anne, Gilbert, Sebastian, Marilla, Matthew, Mary, Jocelyn, Constance, Rachel, Diana, Minnie May

It should be noted, Mary doesn’t seem to die this episode, but it does make for a good send-off. Anne, for example, speaks to Diana’s family about hosting Easter in their garden, writes all of Mary’s recipes, such as the ones she was taught by her, and preps to take Delphine under her wing. After all, they are now kindred in a surprising way. Also, she advises Mary what to leave behind so Delphine has a piece of her and notes how she, despite her upbringing, is this bright child who brings light to any room she enters.
As for what she advises? For Mary to write a letter. One that is difficult to write, for it isn’t like Mary is an old woman writing her memoirs. What does a 20 or 30 something-year-old write a child? Heck, for those left behind, like Bash, how do they decide when the right time is for a child to learn of their mother’s last words? Well, while that isn’t clear, Mary does make it clear she wants Delphine to have an education and Bash to take out any obstacle that gets in her way.
Luckily, in that venture, and raising Delphine, he won’t be alone. Jocelyn and Constance, Mary’s laundry sisters, they are invited by Gilbert, while he was in the Bog, to come over, and they get to cooking, crying, getting to know Delphine, and even the folks of Avonlea a bit. Well, mostly Rachel, who still is a bit uncomfortable around negroes. However, she is warming up to them.
In fact, between her, Marilla, Matthew, Anne, and even Diana, when Diana’s parents’ host Mary and her family, extended or blood, for Easter, there are no incidence. Well, outside of Minnie May saying Delphine looks like a chocolate sweet, but that is handled with respect to the fact Minnie May is a child. Leaving us with Mary reciting a prayer, and everyone joining in, and us being left with the idea this might be one of the final times we’ll see this character.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Will there be a time jump after Mary’s death?
- Considering Mary’s push for Gilbert to marry for love, will that push him towards Anne or further towards Winnie?
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
Sometimes life hides gifts in the darkest of places.
— Anne
Random Thoughts
- Don’t we all need an Anne pep talk in our lives?
Review
Highlights
While The Show Is Progressive, It Doesn’t Pretend Prejudice Didn’t Exist
On Anne With An E, we have met Black people, those part of the LGBT community, both young and old, and this season introduced Indigenous nations. With such diversity, one could see the show as progressive, and perhaps with an agenda. Yet, with the reminders we receive from the prejudice, or plain ignorance, from Marilla, in season 2, or the continued actions of Rachel, we’re reminded that as much as there is a sense of diversity, it isn’t without addressing the truth.
Heck, just look at the children. From Josie to Billy, we see how prejudice is passed down and the importance of someone speaking out against it. For even with little to no exposure to natives or Black people, the children don’t even give the people a chance to prove stereotypes wrong. They are prejudged, poorly treated, and they take any negative response as proving their preconceived notions. Which, while a frustrating thing to watch, brings truth that is necessary.
Mary’s Bittersweet Passing
Characters dying on any show always create a reaction that leaves you torn. In Mary’s case, her passing is something that is coming out of nowhere since it isn’t made clear what caused her disease. Yet, we have had to expect someone to die on this show for a long time. Aunt Josephine, Marilla, and Matthew aren’t getting any younger. Jerry could have been killed when assaulted, and taking note Gilbert is at odds with Billy, who is to say they couldn’t fight one day, one falls the wrong way, and dies?
All things considered, Mary’s death almost feels like a mercy killing for while she is part of the show, she is new so the pain of her loss, while real, and certainly not less than, is more manageable. Though don’t get me wrong, the setup still deserves a side-eye. For as much as Anne having a child who sort of gets her story could bolster her need to search for her parents, at the same time someone being written to die for her benefit is a little bit irritating. Never mind, considering the show is diverse, but with limited speaking parts for non-white characters, losing one stings a bit.
Gilbert Further Realizing What It Means To Be A Doctor
You have to appreciate Gilbert being shown what he’ll have to deal with if or when he becomes a doctor. It continues to provide him a story outside of Anne, and reminds you he is more than a love interest in waiting. Gilbert is someone with a life of his own he is planning and his own challenges in finding a stable adulthood. One that, if he is lucky, will have people like Anne or Winnie to bolster him, but also may not. So he will need to learn now what he can and can’t do, and to understand who is more than a friend, but like family, or his community, to see him through – as Mary said.
The Miseducation of Native Peoples
Ka’kwet returns! But now is posed with the possibility of going to a boarding school and Anne making school seem like a good idea and dealing with the guilt it won’t be for her… That’s going to be fun to watch. At least if Anne with an E is honest about it. Since, considering how they would cut the native people’s hair, especially if they were boys, abuse them, attempt to indoctrinate them, and separate them from their families, this could be hell to watch.
Yet, as noted when we first met Ka’kwet, being that so few shows feature indigenous people, never mind talk about their history, this is a big deal. Plus, there is something about Tarbell that makes you want to see her challenged and take on more. Hopefully to the point of her being cast for additional things and opening doors for more girls like her, and for indigenous people in general.
Anne With An E Directory
Creator | Moira Walley-Beckett |
Character Guide | |
Collected Quotes | |
Current Status | Active |
Where To Buy, Rent, or Stream? Amazon | |
Season Reviews | |
Season 2 | |
Check Out The TV Series & Specials Page |
Season/ Episode | Synopsis | Episode Information | Topics & Focused Characters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Season 3, Episode 7 “A Strong Effort of the Spirit of Good” | Anne’s feminist manifesto causes great calamity, and amongst that chaos she somehow gains favor with one person and loses a friend. |
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Season 3, Episode 6 “The Summit of My Dreams” | While love is in the air, some experience disappointment and another an outright scandal on this episode of Anne With An E. |
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Season 3, Episode 5 “I Am Fearless And Therefore Powerful” | Lack of sex education makes an upcoming dance tricky, as does Sebastian relying on two older women to take care of a child. |
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Season 3, Episode 4 “A Hope of Meeting You in Another World” | Family is a strong focus as Ka’kwet leaves hers, Anne discovers the fate of her biological family, and we meet Jerry’s alongside one of Rachel’s sons. |
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Season 3, Episode 3 “What Can Stop The Determined Heart” | Devastating news comes to Avonlea but, luckily, the community comes together to help ease the pain. If just for a day or two. |
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Season 3, Episode 2 “There Is Something at Work In My Soul Which I Do Not Understand” | Anne takes the first step to learning about her past, and it is a bit of a traumatic experience. As that happens, Elijah returns and Gilbert gains a crush. |
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Season 2/ Episode 10 “The Growing Good of the World” [Season Finale] | The fate of Ms. Stacy, Sebastian’s relationship with Mary, Cole, and Gilbert deciding whether to stay or leave Avonlea is decided – with no cliffhangers. |
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Season 2/ Episode 9 “What We Have Been Makes Us What We Are” | In the new teacher, we see what could be Anne’s future. Including still not fitting in, being a bit of a trailblazer, and her best intentions making things a bit worse. |
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Season 2/ Episode 6 “Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion” | As Anne adjusts to her new haircut, we finally get to see Michael! Also, we get to understand, through Michael, why Matthew likes Anne so much. |
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Season 2/ Episode 5 “The Determining Acts of Her Life” | Being that Anne is a girl of a certain age, and obsessed with romantical things, the idea of a first kiss both intrigues and haunts her. |
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Season 2/ Episode 8 “Struggling Against the Perception of Facts” | As we’re introduced to the Black part of Prince Edwards’ Island, Cole has a theory about Mr. Phillips and Marilla is clued in on what’s wrong. |
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Season 2/ Episode 7 “Memory Has As Many Moods As the Temper” | As Diana’s world gets shook, and Cole comes to a realization, we learn more about the aftermath of Michael’s death. |
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Season 2/ Episode 4 “The Painful Eagerness of Unfed Hope” | Alongside Gilbert finding direction for his life, Anne tries to push Matthew in one which may make him happier. |
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Season 2/ Episode 1 “Youth Is The Season of Hope” [Season Premiere] | As we return to Green Gables, and Anne’s whimsy ways, the boarders begin their final act of trickery to con the entire town. |
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Season 2/ Episode 3 ” The True Seeing Is Within” | After slipping and being messy for so long, finally people are catching onto Nate and Mr. Dunlop – but will they stop them before they run off with $1700? |
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Season 2/ Episode 2 “Signs are Small Measurable Things, but Interpretations are Illimitable” | As gold fever continues throughout the town, Anne may have found a kindred spirit and Gilbert continues to have his eyes opened thanks to Sebastian. |
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Season 1/ Episode 7 “Wherever You Are is My Home” [Season Finale] | Anne: Season 1 comes to what feels like an abrupt end that could leave you slightly uneasy about one of the storylines for season 2. |
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Season 1/ Episode 6 “Remorse is the Poison of Life” | For those wondering what life could have held for Marilla if it wasn’t for her brother’s death, this episode is for you. |
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Season 1/ Episode 5 “Tightly Knotted to a Similar String” | Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another show which consistently has me smiling a goofy smile, laughing, and crying, from episode to episode. Hell, I can’t think of many movies that can do that without someone dying or someone going through something awful. Yet, somehow this show can make you cry simply out of seeing McNulty, as Anne, smile. So with having no knowledge of the source material, or past adaptations, I can only look toward McNulty as the reason for this being such a overwhelimg good program. I’d even argue it is better than This Is Us since it doesn’t try so hard. |
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Season 1/ Episode 4 “An Inward Treasure Born” | With school becoming another place of torture, Anne avoids it at all costs. However, after a heroic deed forces one of her classmates to live with her, it seems she brings another person to #TeamAnne. |
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Season 1/ Episode 3 “But What Is So Headstrong As Youth” | There are a lot of firsts in this episode. Anne’s first day of school, perhaps the first boy to have a crush on her, and also there is even a first for Marilla as well. The first time she really thought about being a mum. |
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Season 1/ Episode 2 “I Am No Bird, and No Net Ensnares Me” | Anne continues to pull on your heart strings as she tries to find a place to call home for while her imagination is a wonderful place to escape, she needs somewhere to unlace her boots. |
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Season 3, Episode 1 “A Secret Which I Desired to Divine” [Series Premiere] | Anne With An E returns and everyone’s favorite heroine, now with a stable home, is curious as to what life would have been like if her parents lived. |
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Season 1/ Episode 1 “Your Will Shall Decide Your Destiny” [Series Premiere] | You ever see a description in which they note “Based off the classic […]” and you begin to think to yourself, “By whose standard?” If only because: A) You’ve never heard of it and B) You’ve read many a classic before which was shite? Well, strangely enough, Anne is more so an exception than following the rule of using the word “Classic” as a cheap marketing ploy. For truly, this adaptation allows you to understand why the source material is considered a classic. |
The Miseducation of Native Peoples - 85%
Gilbert Further Realizing What It Means To Be A Doctor - 81%
Mary’s Bittersweet Passing - 80%
While The Show Is Progressive, It Doesn’t Pretend Prejudice Didn’t Exist - 86%
83%
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Hi, can u please tell which bible passage they read in this chapter during Mary’s surprise party? Thanks, Elizabeth
All I can find is that it is the Prayer of St. Francis, so I believe it isn’t a bible passage or verse.
i cried so hard during this episode
Thank you for this insightful review, I really enjoyed reading it. I so loved reading Anne’s story through the book series when I was younger and this t.v. adaptation with the new storylines is so wonderful. I am grateful for the storylines which portray all aspects of what society was like in early Canada, including a diversity of people and what prejudice looked like at that time.
I really liked Mary’s character and it is too bad she is no longer there.
Me as well.