User blog comment:Eikakou/Anne (2017) episode 7 - Wherever You Are Is My Home review/@comment-4934571-20170508003117

It took me unusually long to actually start writing this review, even though I watched the episode last Monday. The truth is that I was really busy at school as I have to write many essays and papers and the exams are getting close. Writing the last one (in the middle of the night) was a huge thing for me, I was overwhelmed with the character psychology in that episode. While I was explaining their motives, I also revealed much about myself. I guess it is not easy for me to write another deep analysis of the newest episode so soon after writing the previous one. And I believe it's also my subconscious not wanting me to say goodbye to this brilliant series and trying to extend its duration in my life.

Wherever You Are Is My Home is the last episode of the season, which introduces an original storyline, not really based on anything we know from the books. Eikakou has already described the plot in her review above. To sup up, Anne finds out from Josie (whose uncle is the bank manager) that the Cuthberts are now poor and they might want to send her back. When she comes home, Matthew suffers a heart attack and collapses after a quarrel with Marilla. Fortunately, he survives, but the doctor (from episode 6) forbids him to work or stress for months. As the loan from the Carmody bank requires Matthew to work even more, Marilla and Anne head to Carmody to renegotiate the deal. They need to collect enough money by the end of the month and return it to the bank – otherwise they would lose Green Gables.

Marilla puts an advert to the newspapers and gathers everything of some value. Anne and Jerry go on a heroic journey to Charlottetown, where they want to sell the horse and many other things, including Marilla's amethyst brooch and Diana's hairbrush. At first they stop in Carmody where Anne returns her beloved dress with puffed sleeves to Jeannie. Then they arrive to Charlottetown. While Anne is telling made up stories to the pawnbroker, Jerry gets robbed by two strangers. Anne runs into Gilbert in front of the store and the two of them have a chat in a nearby pub. The two robbers also enter the pub and read an advert in the newspapers, which mentions Green Gables. Jerry shows up being beaten up and later leaves with Anne to aunt Josephine's house, where they spend the night.

Meanwhile, Marilla takes care of Matthew who states he wishes to die – his life insurance might help Anne and Marilla to keep Green Gables. When Marilla is out in the barn taking care of the cattle, Matthew opens the cupboard and loads a gun. It is implied that he wants to commit suicide to help his family, but his plan is interrupted by Jeannie's arrival. Marilla eventually forgives him – just before Anne returns from the town. Anne realizes it's three weeks until Christmas and she finds a way to make more money. She offers to help families in Avonlea with cleaning their houses before the forthcoming holidays. The Cuthberts spend Christmas together and Marilla reveals they will take boarders to live at Green Gables. With the rent they could stay there and keep the house. The episode ends with the arrival of said boarders who are no one else than the Charlottetown robbers.

What a cliffhanger! But I genuinely think the series is not over and there are more seasons to come. It's Netflix, after all – they can tell if a series has potential to be watched. Moira also mentioned she has enough material to offer 35 hours of watching experience.

In the last episode we see several strong moments and performances. I personally liked this take on Matthew's story. In the books, he never had the chance to act when he learned about their financial situation. But I believe he would've acted the same way. It is not completely out of character for Matthew to try to work more and to care for his family. I also appreciate that Thomson's Matthew is not like the other portrayals which always showed him as rather simple man who is afraid of everyone and barely speaks. This Matthew is wise, compassionate, caring and able to present his own opinion – specifically in the opening scene when he argues with Marilla. Many viewers don't like his decision to commit suicide. (There is a very interesting coincidence because Richard Farnsworth, who played Matthew in the 1985 film, committed suicide by shooting himself to death – just like this Matthew planned.) It's not something I would expect him to do, but then again, I completely understand his motive. He was not tired of his life, he didn't feel the urge to end his own suffering or to escape from his problems. His plan was not an egoistic suicide. Matthew was convinced that by sacrificing himself he would help Marilla and Anne to have a good life. I believe he was also affected by his health condition, he might have rambled or hallucinated – he seems to be a bit confused. He realizes his mistake when Jeannie tells him that Anne finally belongs somewhere and considering what she's been through, it would be really hard for her to recover from losing him. Marilla tells him similar thing before his suicide attempt – even though Anne loves both Green Gables and Matthew, she would choose Matthew, not the house.

I love the evolving relationship of Anne and Marilla. Marilla takes Anne as a proper member of the family and doesn't even think about sending her away. She also tells Matthew that Green Gables is also her home AND Anne's. She later reminds him that Anne would choose him and that they both want him to live. She is impressed by Anne's maths skills and trusts her enough to send her to Charlottetown.

I don't really have an opinion on Gilbert living in Charlottetown. But I adore his relationship with Anne. They are not actually friends, but at least they respect each other. I've always thought that it was really silly that in the books Anne passionately ignored him for almost 5 years and she was very hostile towards him. I like that even though these Anne and Gilbert are not exactly best friends, they are somehow trying to find a way to each other. I remember one comment somewhere on the internet and it said that for two (practically) kids, they have an enormous chemistry. And I agree. Amybeth and Lucas are very talented and were perfectly cast as their respective characters.

I have to admit, that the cliffhanger felt a bit weird and wasn't much Anne-ish. However, I enjoyed watching the season finale. Even though I analyzed the main storyline in the paragraphs above, I cannot omit several Easter eggs or memorable moments. Anne's friendship with Moody and how he genuinely cares for her and asks about her Christmas at the orphanage. Another great performance by Amybeth when the others sing In Excelsis Deo, but her mind is not actually with them in that moment. Moody is the only boy singing in the choir. The reappearance of several minor characters such as Pawnbroker or the Doctor. A special cameo appearance of the showrunner Moira. Rachel staying with Matthew and taking care of him. Bank manager being the uncle of Josie and saying it's irregular for Marilla (a woman!) to come on her ill brother's behalf. Anne wanting to go on a (romantic and dramatic) heroic journey on her own and criticizing Jerry's singing because it kind of kills the mood. Jeannie giving Anne more money than the dress actually cost. Another mentions of queen Victoria and espionage. Jerry eating quickly at Josephine's house and then not being comfortable with sleeping alone. Josephine helping the Cuthberts and paying for Jerry's wages. Decorating the Christmas tree. And one of my favourites – when the carollers (Rachel, Diana, Ruby, Moody and Charlie) come to Green Gables and sing for the Cuthberts. This scene really moved me.

There are also minor characters of Miss Rogerson (this is her first appearance ever in a live-action adaptation) and Rollings the butler. The credits also mention Mrs. Barry and Mary Joe, but I am not really sure in which scene they appeared. Minnie May can be seen in the opening scene when she sings in the choir and I believe Minister sleeps sitting in a chair. The robbers' names are apparently Nathaniel (the younger one) and Mr. Dunlop.

My rating: 9/10

When it comes to the whole series... I really enjoyed it and watched the episodes as soon as it was possible. I practically lived with the show because apart from watching, I also updated the IMDb cast lists, added the pages and photos here on Wiki, made all the updates I was able to and also wrote my own (very long) reviews every week. I didn't even think it would be possible for me to review every single one of them, formerly I was planning to make only one summary of the whole season. And here we are. I have to admit I was looking forward to this TV series from its announcement. I trusted Miranda de Pencier and as well as Moira who wrote some episodes of Breaking Bad – that was a sign of her being very talented and I was sure she would make a brilliant show. When I learned that Netflix would co-produce, I had no more doubts. Breaking Bad and Netflix are (at least for me) a guarantee of quality.

And the series really didn't disappoint me. It's exactly what I wanted... and more! I needed this modern take on Anne of Green Gables because even though I love Kevin Sullivan's version, it belongs more to the generation of our mothers than to us. His take is romantic and funny, pure, full of life and optimism. Moira's version is more true to life, darker, paying attention to the timeless issues we could identify with. PTSD, abuse, chaotic information on sexual life, periods, grief and coping mechanism, feminism, being a wife or having a career dilemma, financial troubles, suicide etc.

I've praised the acting and writing (as well as cinematography, costumes and music) many times, but the creators managed to combine all those things and make a technically perfect TV show. It may contain many brand new storylines and plot changes, but honestly – I didn't care once. I accepted what they offered and... oh, how pleased I was! I cannot choose my favourite episode. I think I enjoyed episodes 1 and 3 the most, followed by 5, 6, 7, 2 and 4.

I also like the character development (mentioned by Eikakou in her review too). Almost all the characters have some backstory and their own unique personality traits. I've already mentioned interesting upgrade of Diana who is no longer Anne's sidekick, but her own person with an attitude. I like that this series establishes that not everything that happens has to be related to Anne. Even though Anne is not the narrator of the books, the plot follows her everywhere she goes. And when we finally see Anne-less chapter or scene, the actions of the characters are always related to her in some way (e.g. Matthew buying the dress). I am really satisfied with most of the characters in this series. (Well, apart from Jane who appears in five episodes, but doesn't have much on-screen time. We barely know anything about her.)

I don't really know how to end this because I am sure that I have many more comments and points to discuss. But I guess this should be enough for today. My advice – please don't hesitate and watch this amazing show! You won't regret it. (Well, maybe only if you are one of those book purists. Or diehard fans of the 1985 film.) For me it is now one of the best adaptations of Anne of Green Gables, if not the best!