After three seasons, the beloved Anne With An E ended its run. Inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables novel, fans thought the show could run forever with multiple sequels about Anne’s life as an adult. Fans continue campaigning for Netflix and Canadian network CBC to find a way to bring it back, but for now, we’re taking a look back at the best episodes the series offered.
We’ve narrowed each season of the show to its top three episodes based on the ratings on Internet Movie Database. The site allows users to rate movies and episodes of television on a scale of one to ten. In the case of Anne, the best episodes from each season rank at least an 8.9. Of course, the series as a whole isn’t too shabby, with an average score of 8.6 after more than 20,000 ratings.
Remorse Is The Poison Of Life (S1.E06) - 8.9
Season 1 spent a lot of time introducing the audience to the large cast of characters that make up Avonlea. Though the series expanded with more detail than the novel provided, this is one episode that used an event from the books for inspiration.
As Diana Barry’s parents are away, her sister Minnie May becomes gravely ill. Though she’s not allowed to spend time with Anne, Green Gables is the closest house in the middle of the night when Diana seeks help. Anne saves the day thanks to her vast experience with young children. Her quick thinking gains her the admiration of Aunt Josephine, a fan favorite character, and gets Mrs. Barry to lift her ban on Anne and Diana’s friendship.
On a less happy note, Gilbert Blythe loses his father, but the event also gives fans insight into Marilla’s past.
Wherever You Are Is My Home (S1.E07) - 8.9
Like all of the best Season 1 episodes, this one occurs late in the season. That’s likely because that’s exactly when Anne’s place in Avonlea is cemented as she is accepted by her new family and neighbors — a big theme of this particular episode.
After Matthew suffers a heart attack, Anne and Marilla work together to do what they can to pay back the loan he took against the farm. That leaves Marilla at home working while Anne and Jerry take a trip to Charlottetown to sell off whatever valuables they have. This episode not only cements Anne as a Cuthbert, but begins her friendship with Jerry. Despite their differences, the two bond while trying to save the farm, leading to Anne beginning to teach him to read in Season 2.
Tightly Knotted To A Similar String (S1.E05) - 8.9
Concluding the top three of Season 1 is another episode that borrows heavily from the events of the novels. When many of the adults in town travel to see the Premier, Marilla allows Anne to invite Diana over to host tea. Anne accidentally serves the two of them currant wine instead of raspberry cordial, leaving the two girls completely drunk when they’re found, and the two no longer allowed to spend time together.
That beloved plot point is also buoyed by Matthew meeting up with his first love when attempting to buy Anne a new dress and Anne realizing that Gilbert Blythe doesn’t have the easiest home life, setting the show on its path to romance.
I Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion (S2.E06) - 9.0
Christmas comes to Avonlea in the first of the Season 2 episodes here. Much of the episode revolves around preparations for the pantomime, something the Cuthberts didn’t participate in the year before because of their financial difficulties.
Gilbert has his new friend Bash assist in the show, while Anne prepares for her part as a tree. When Josie Pye becomes ill, however, her new short hair prompts Rachel Lynde to cast her in the leading role of “the boy” instead. It’s a lighter episode than much of the series, and it allows the Cuthberts to get to know Bash, someone who would eventually become a member of their extended family — and a welcome change from the novels.
What We Have Been Makes Us What We Are (S2.E09) - 9.0.
Anne finds herself stuck in the middle of an embarrassing situation when a new teacher comes to town. She wants so badly to impress Miss Stacey and make her feel welcome that it takes her learning a lesson in gossip to realize she’s going about it all wrong.
Like the previous entry, this episode feels a lot lighter than many of Anne With An E’s other offerings, which might be part of the reason it ranks so highly. With so much emotional content in the series, episodes that showcase the lighter, more everyday moments in Anne’s life are welcome.
The Growing Good Of The World (S2.E10) - 9.1
Anne fans love a good finale episode, which is probably why the Season 2 closer is the highest rated of the season. The episode saw the town try to rid itself of Miss Stacey.
Anne rallies her classmates around saving their teacher’s job. She, Moody, Diana, Cole, and Ruby jump a train to Charlottetown to get the necessary supplies, but Cole elects to stay behind and live with Aunt Josephine. The class manages to perform Miss Stacey’s potato experiment at the town hall, proving that Miss Stacey has taught them a lot in her short time in town, and ensuring that she sticks around for more stories.
Great And Sudden Change (S3.E08) - 9.6
Season 3 is a time of upheaval in Anne’s life as she realizes a few things about herself — and her childhood begins to end. This episode showcases this nicely as it sees Anne and her classmates sitting for their Queen’s entrance exams and preparing for their future in the wake of their schoolhouse being burned to the ground.
Diana even gets to sit her exams — something she doesn’t do in the novels — after some advice from Aunt Josephine. Gilbert has his dream future offered up to him on a silver platter, but the trouble is, it doesn’t leave room for his feelings for Anne. He tries to talk to Anne, but it’s during her post-exam celebrations, and the entire thing leaves her confused, but realizing that she has feelings for him as well. It’s the kind of episode that would have made for a powerful midseason finale in a series with more hours per season.
I Am Fearless And Therefore Powerful (S3.E05) - 9.6
This particular episode of Season 3 is remembered by a lot of fans for its “Dashing White Sergeant” rehearsal, but there’s a lot going on outside of Gilbert and Anne’s flirty dance.
A walk through the woods sees Moody injured and Ruby suffering a fainting spell, giving Gilbert the push he needs to be interested in natural medicines. It also serves as a reminder that the Mi’kmaq family Anne befriends aren’t solely in the story to highlight the brutal history of residential schools, but also to demonstrate that there is more to life in Avonlea than what goes on in Anne’s small bubble.
For a moment of levity, Ruby’s fear of pregnancy and the sheer awkwardness of Anne leading the girls to ask Gilbert about reproduction remains one of the funniest exchanges in the entire series.
The Better Feeling Of My Heart (S3.E10) - 9.8
The highest rated episode of Season 4 also happens to be the highest rated of the series. It also serves as the series finale — unless fans get their wish for more.
In it, Anne finally makes her way to her boarding house in Queen’s, but she gets a few surprises to close out the season. Diana gets to be her roommate after all as her parents decide to let her pursue an education; Winifred tells Anne the truth about her relationship with Gilbert; and the Cuthberts bring Anne information about her birth parents. It’s got so many great ending moments for the show, including Anne and Gilbert finally admitting their feelings to one another, but it also left a lot open to pave the way for more stories.
