August 2025: I have just started watching the entire recent series again - and confirmed my impressions of the first time, which are:

• This is quite possibly the most beautiful tv series ever made. Anyone not moved by Anne's coming-of-age story must truly have a heart of stone.
• It all began with the story by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a true masterpiece which has been considerably and beautifully enhanced by Moira Wally-Beckett.
• Of course, it should not be difficult to pull the heartstrings with a story about a poor little orphan girl, but the way it has been treated is pure genius.
• The basics? The settings, the music and the dialogue are quite superb: whoever created those three deserves triple Emmies.
• There are both very moving and sad storylines but also a lot of HUMOUR, too.
• In most longish series, there is usually at least one weak storyline that doesn't quite work, but here I can find none.
• Moira clearly has an agenda at the back of it all: the very strong and clear ridiculing of racism, sexism and prejudice in general. There is a message here, and a beautiful one.
• It cannot be coincidence that soon after the series aired the appalling Canadian treatment of the native Indians came to be discussed a lot in the media. The Mi'kmaq storyline is sad, but superbly done by the actors involved. Kiawentiio Tarbell as Ka'Kwet is stupendous.
• The cast is just about perfect. I cannot think of a single character who could have been better cast or acted.
• Having said that, just TWO of the characters are a bit OTT: the SHOPKEEPER's racism is beyond belief and Mr Phillips really is a very weird teacher!
• As is so often the case that one takes it for granted, the acting of the CHILDREN is amazing. Even little Minnie-May is just awesomely acted. Hats off to the casting department - and of course to the kids themselves.
• One particularly beautiful thing is the theme of redemption and self-improvement. Numerous characters become LESS prejudiced as time goes by until at the end one even wonderswhether Bash might get together with Miss Stacy (who is BRILLIANT!)
• Marilla at the outset ALSO has her prejudices - especially re the education of girls - but she makes great personal progress thanks to her love and understanding of Anne.
• Even the formidable Mrs Lynde is on a journey of deprejudicisation. She is one of my favourite characters - and helps to provide one of the most hilarious episodes when Anne "apologizes" to her.
  Mrs Lynde: "You mustn't mind what I say."
  Anne: "I look forward to never minding whatever you say in the future."
• There are many beautiful touches. Billy at the end changes his mind about shooting Mr Fox: that is a BEAUTIFUL MOMENT which shows that there is hope even for him.
• The series STARTS with some beautiful scenes of contrast between Matthew's rapid realisation that Anne is the daughter he has always longed for, whereas it takes Marilla some time longer to reach the same conclusion. The interplay between the two is beautifully done.

I had not previously seen the 1985 version, but did so after watching "Anne With an e". The former is also beautifully done, with obvious similarities in the storyline but a LOT of additional and different things from Moira. Megan Follows is lovely as Anne, and I am not going to say who was the better. What is the point? Both were stunning. The 1985 series is interesting in taking the story of Anne's life MUCH further - and is well worth watching.

THANK YOU MOIRA WALLY-BECKETT and all involved. You created something magical and a beautiful tribute to Lucy Maud Montgomery.