An Inward Treasure Born
- Episode aired Apr 9, 2017
- TV-PG
- 44m
Anne and Marilla struggle with Anne's staunch boycott of the local school. A minister's backward advice has a reverse effect, causing Anne to fiercely challenge gender norms.Anne and Marilla struggle with Anne's staunch boycott of the local school. A minister's backward advice has a reverse effect, causing Anne to fiercely challenge gender norms.Anne and Marilla struggle with Anne's staunch boycott of the local school. A minister's backward advice has a reverse effect, causing Anne to fiercely challenge gender norms.
- Thomas Lynde
- (as Phillip Williams)
Featured reviews
Amybeth McNulty shines as Anne, delivering a deeply moving performance that captures her character's vulnerability and determination. Her expressive face and emotional depth bring the character's inner struggles to life, especially in scenes where she is confronted with her perceived unworthiness. Her interactions with the ensemble cast are natural and layered, and her chemistry with Dalila Bela as Diana Barry continues to flourish, offering a poignant contrast to the tension she faces with other characters. Geraldine James's portrayal of Marilla further deepens in this episode, where her character is slowly transformed by Anne's indomitable spirit. Marilla's subtle yet growing warmth is beautifully executed, as her affection for Anne becomes undeniable, creating a heartfelt dynamic that provides a source of comfort amid Anne's challenges.
David Evans's direction adds a gentle touch to the episode, allowing for a nuanced exploration of Anne's emotions while keeping the tone balanced. The framing and camera angles frequently focus on Anne's expressive reactions, offering viewers a closer look at her inner world. The use of lighting is particularly notable; bright scenes that mirror Anne's moments of joy are juxtaposed with darker, more shadowed frames during her moments of rejection, underscoring the emotional contrast within her journey. Additionally, Evans's directorial choice to allow moments of silence gives space for introspection, allowing audiences to fully engage with Anne's vulnerabilities. The combination of close-ups and wide, sweeping shots of Green Gables enriches the visual narrative, capturing both the beauty of Anne's environment and the loneliness she sometimes feels within it.
From a storytelling perspective, the episode is well-crafted, with a script that intricately weaves Anne's personal growth with themes of belonging and self-worth. The narrative flow is smooth, although certain scenes, such as the classroom encounters, feel slightly elongated and could benefit from a tighter edit. Despite this, the pacing generally complements the introspective tone of the episode, inviting viewers to experience Anne's trials without feeling rushed. This gradual pacing gives depth to Anne's interactions, particularly her friendship with Diana and her encounters with the less accepting residents of Avonlea. Each interaction reveals more about Anne's struggles, making her resilience in the face of societal judgment all the more poignant.
The cinematography and editing are key strengths of this episode, enhancing the emotional journey that Anne undertakes. Soft focus and natural lighting imbue scenes with warmth, particularly during Anne's moments of joy and wonder, while colder tones are reserved for scenes of alienation and rejection. The editing rhythm matches Anne's emotional beats, transitioning smoothly between her highs and lows without disrupting the overall flow. Evans uses these visual and editorial choices to make Anne's inner world feel more accessible to the audience, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience. This harmonious blend of technical aspects not only highlights Anne's imaginative nature but also underscores her struggles with belonging, amplifying the emotional impact of the narrative.
"An Inward Treasure Born" delves into the universal theme of self-worth and belonging, a message that resonates strongly through Anne's character. As Anne learns to navigate Avonlea's societal expectations, she remains unshakably true to herself, teaching viewers the importance of resilience and self-acceptance. While the episode brings forth the difficulties Anne faces, it also celebrates her courage and individuality, reminding us of the power of inner strength and imagination. The episode closes with a sense of optimism, as Anne begins to realize that her uniqueness is not a weakness but rather her greatest strength. Overall, this chapter in Anne's journey reinforces the series' exploration of personal growth, acceptance, and the beauty of staying true to oneself in a world that often demands conformity.
Did you know
- TriviaThe title is a quote from 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë - "I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld... "
- Quotes
Anne Shirley: [watching the burning house] It's burning so fierce. Is everyone out of the house?
Diana Barry: Yeah, that's the Gillis family over there. You see Ruby?
Gilbert Blythe: Hey! Keep the water coming! Come on!
Anne Shirley: Why are the doors and windows open?
[Anne runs for blankets, douses them in water and runs into the burning house]
Diana Barry: Anne! Anne!
Gilbert Blythe: [Anne rushes to close the doors and secure the cracks with the blankets. From the window, Gilbert sees her inside] Anne!
Marilla Cuthbert: What is it? What happened to Anne?
[Realizes she has gone in the house and tries to go in after her]
Marilla Cuthbert: Let me go, I have to get Anne!
[choking and dazed, Anne exits the house, unharmed. Marilla runs to her]
Marilla Cuthbert: Anne!
Matthew Cuthbert: [to Jerry] Find out what's happened.
[Jerry runs off]
Rachel Lynde (2017): She's all right!
Anne Shirley: Sorry- I'm all right.
Jerry Baynard: [calling back] She's all right!
Marilla Cuthbert: What were you thinking?
Anne Shirley: Did it help?
Diana Barry: Why ever did you run inside?
Jerry Baynard: She ran inside!
Anne Shirley: Did it slow it down?
Marilla Cuthbert: What were you thinking?
Anne Shirley: [catching her breath] Fire... fire needs oxygen to burn. Closing windows and doors deprives it.
Rachel Lynde (2017): Oh my word!
Jerry Baynard: Anne slowed down the fire!
Marilla Cuthbert: However did you know that?
Jerry Baynard: It was Anne! She did it!
Anne Shirley: The fire manual at the orphanage. There wasn't much else to read.
- SoundtracksAhead By A Century
Written and Performed by The Tragically Hip
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color