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Will Diana Barry’s Awful Parents Finally Get a Grip?: Review of Episode 4 of “Anne with an E”

September 18, 2018 By Lorilee - 9 Comments

Netflix, Steve Scott

Oy.

I could get behind last season of Anne with an E, even with its off-book shenanigans, but this season is more challenging. I know many of you find it challenging, too.

“I mean, you’re watching and the actors are so incredible and it’s Anne, and Gilbert, and Matthew and Marilla and Diana…and even good old Moody Spurgeon is along for the ride. There’s crazy gorgeous PEI scenery and you’re loving it when suddenly ….What in the blue blazes is happening on my screen???” I was spouting off to a kindred spirit recently.

I’m still framing this series as fanfiction, not unlike the wildly unfaithful “Little House on the Prairie” TV show from the 1970’s. I mean, that TV show is dearly loved and revered, right? What’s the difference? Some of you have felt the difference was in capturing the spirit of the books or not. Thoughts?

Here are some of my thoughts on Episode 4:

All’s well that ends well in terms of the grifters. Jerry is saved, and Nate and Dunlop are captured. Will we see Dunlop again? Probably.

Netflix, Steve Scott

Otherwise, we find our beloved Gilbert questing around the world with his new best friend, a Trinidadian named Sebastian–Bash (Dalmar Abuzeid). I am not wild over all the new characters, but I like Bash. I think–hope–that Maud would have loved this worldly wise, gentle and fascinating character. Apparently, people of color did settle on PEI in Anne’s day, mostly runaway slaves from Rhode Island or escapees from trading ships. In any event, Bash is a mentor to Gilbert as Gil finds his calling. When he delivers a baby at an exotic port, Gil wonders if he might become a doctor. (You know, like his father. In. the. book...). Will they finally make their way back to Avonlea?

Over at the Barry’s, it’s a fine kettle of fish as Mr. Barry rues the day he thought gold investing was a good idea. Normally he can strut sitting down, but not anymore. Mrs. Barry is wound tighter than a wet boot and in a total tizzy and a half over the thought of her girls not going to finishing school. Those two have a lot to work through, and they do. One of my favorites scenes was when the Barry parents surprise their girls by playfully throwing leaves at them. They finally realized they are rich in family and love, if not rich enough to send their girls to London for finishing school. Finishing school, Schminishing school. 

Again, not crazy about all the fan fiction-y, made up storylines for our cherished characters, but I did like the fact that Anne and Matthew’s love was tested in this episode. When Anne takes it upon herself to answer some unanswered letters from Jeannie (remember her, Matthew’s old flame?). Her goal is to drum up a love life for her darling Matthew, which of course mortifies and upsets the poor man. Yet the love between this father and girl is strong and even stronger for having been tested. Come to think of it, it never was tested in the book, was it?

Basically, I am a fan of Matthew having a lady friend, and of Gilbert having a mentor who can teach him so much about the world. Also, a fan of the Barry’s finally getting over themselves. None of this happened in the book, but nonetheless, I am a fan.

I’ve heard that the next episode, Episode 5!– contains one of our very favorite iconic scenes–The Time Anne Dyed Her Hair Green–so hopefully they have done that justice!

Episode 3: 

Anne takes a jaunt to Charlottetown with the seriously uppity Barry parents and their much nicer offspring. Minnie Mae cracks me up with her attitude! They stay in the city with Great Aunt Josephine, a sassy fossil of a lady who remains a patron and fan of Anne’s. She tips the girls off in their quest to find out more about Avonlea’s “gold rush”: Go visit the newspaper in town, which covered the last fools-gold dusted epoch on PEI. Anne and Diana find the beaten down reporter in a bar (their presence there just about gives Mrs. Barry an apoplectic episode). They are rattled by his news: There is no gold. Everyone is being made fools of by a couple of wily grifters.

Meanwhile, back in Avonlea, dear Jerry is being menaced by the deplorable Nate, who calls him a racial slur and makes a crack about French people starting their kids drinking early. Aymeric Jett Montaz continues to impress as tender, brave Jerry. The sweetest thing was when Matthew, finding Jerry crying in the hayloft, comforts his young farmhand in the most wonderful fatherly way. Jerry makes the connection between the grifters and his attackers, but not until it’s too late. He is attacked again, and can’t warn the Green Gables folk about Nate and Dunlop’s true intentions.

Of course, Dunlop is developing a conscience and wants out of his greasy life of crime. He bakes Anne a welcome home pie with her name cut out in perfect crusty letters. However, she’s on to him, and he can tell. Next thing you know, Anne and Marilla are tied up, and the grifters make a run for it, with Matthew and Avonlea’s menfolk in hot pursuit.

Hmmmm!

Can’t wait to hear YOUR thoughts!

What do YOU think? Can an Anne fan fall in love with this series, even if it’s wildly off-book? After all, “Little House” fans went berserk over the TV show, even though it went farther off-book than Anne with an E!

Comment below!

Every comment on my blog will be entered in a contest to win a fetching Anne of Green Gables art piece from my favorite Etsy shop, Carrot Top Paper Shop! So comment away, won’t you, Anne Internet Friends??

Anne with an E Carropt Top Anne print

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E Tagged With: Amybeth McNulty, Anne of Green Gables, Anne the Series, Anne with an E, Anne with an E Season 2, Aymeric Jett Montaz, Gilbert Blythe, Lucas Jade Zumann, Netflix Anne

Comments

  1. Debra Allard says

    September 19, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Lorilee, I love your writing and wit. I cracked up several times reading this. I especially love your comment about Mr. Barry normally being able to strut while sitting down. Lololol. Perfect picture of his pomposity. There is so much to enjoy in your wtite up that I’ll have to pick up watching the second seaon of the show just so I can chuckle along with your write-up. Excellent job!!!

    Reply
  2. Colleen Stout says

    September 22, 2018 at 4:23 am

    I feel like the difference between Anne with an E and Little House on the Prairie is that while the story lines in Little House were made up, they did a better job of honoring the spirit of the books and orginal characters. Anne with an E just has a political agenda and the characters do things that don’t make sense for the time period or who they are in the books.

    Reply
    • ELEANOR HERSEY says

      October 14, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      See here’s the thing. This show has been a fantasy and not honouring the period/original story from episode 2 onwards. There were many elements in series two that were unsubtley pushed and kind of unnesserary. (In terms of writing, this was definitley a filler season).
      But I suppose, if you look at it from the creator Moira Walley Becketts perspective, shes said from the very start that she’s not creating a period piece. She’s basing her show on realism, on past history (rather than what actually happened) and I suppose her vision for the main character is that, Anne has suffered great loss in her life, so she wants fight for others who continue to suffer at the hands of injustice like queer/black people, progressive teachers etc. because they remind her so much of herself.
      I wouldn’t be surprised if she became a suffergette.
      Is it true to L.M.Montgomary’s original character? No.
      Is it unconcievable? That depends how you look at it.

      Reply
  3. ELEANOR HERSEY says

    October 14, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    See here’s the thing. This show has been a fantasy and not honouring the period/original story from episode 2 onwards. There were many elements in series two that were unsubtley pushed and kind of unnesserary. (In terms of writing, this was definitley a filler season).
    But I suppose, if you look at it from the creator Moira Walley Becketts perspective, shes said from the very start that she’s not creating a period piece. She’s basing her show on realism, on past history (rather than what actually happened) and I suppose her vision for the main character is that, Anne has suffered great loss in her life, so she wants fight for others who continue to suffer at the hands of injustice like queer/black people, progressive teachers etc. because they remind her so much of herself.
    I wouldn’t be surprised if she became a suffergette.
    Is it true to L.M.Montgomary’s original character? No.
    Is it unconcievable? That depends how you look at it.

    Reply
  4. ELEANOR HERSEY says

    October 14, 2018 at 6:52 pm

    See here’s the thing. This show has been a fantasy and not honouring the period/original story from episode 2 onwards. There were many elements in series two that were unsubtley pushed and kind of unnesserary. (In terms of writing, this was definitley a filler season).
    But I suppose, if you look at it from the creator Moira Walley Becketts perspective, shes said from the very start that she’s not creating a period piece. She’s basing her show on realism, on past history (rather than what actually happened) and I suppose her vision for the main character is that, Anne has suffered great loss in her life, so she wants fight for others who continue to suffer at the hands of injustice like queer/black people, progressive teachers etc. because they remind her so much of herself.
    I wouldn’t be surprised if she became a suffergette.
    Is it true to L.M.Montgomary’s original character? No.
    Is it concievable? That depends how you look at it.

    Reply
  5. ELEANOR HERSEY says

    October 14, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/friday-march-17-2017-celebrating-30-years-of-degrassi-moira-walley-beckett-and-more-1.4024935/this-is-not-a-period-piece-showrunner-moira-walley-beckett-charts-new-territory-in-anne-1.4027463

    Reply
  6. ELEANOR HERSEY says

    October 14, 2018 at 6:59 pm

    https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/friday-march-17-2017-celebrating-30-years-of-degrassi-moira-walley-beckett-and-more-1.4024935/this-is-not-a-period-piece-showrunner-moira-walley-beckett-charts-new-territory-in-anne-1.4027463

    Sorry I accidently duplicated the comments

    Reply
  7. ELEANOR HERSEY says

    October 14, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    I would say ‘Anne with an E’ is a modern day fairytale.

    Reply
  8. RU G says

    October 15, 2018 at 2:48 am

    The second part of the season. IS. THE WORST. That’s when it gets really blogged down I would say.

    Reply

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