- [soft flute music] - [birdsong]
[light music]
Good morning to you too, ladies. Hard at work as always, I see.
Give my regards to the queen.
Such a bountiful harvest last year.
Thank you.
[sighing of contempt] [buzzing]
♪ First thing we'd climb a tree ♪
♪ And maybe then we'd talk ♪
♪ Or sit silently ♪
♪ And listen to our thoughts ♪
♪ With illusions of someday ♪
♪ Casting a golden light ♪
♪ No dress rehearsal ♪
♪ This is our life ♪
♪ You are ahead by a century ♪
[Miss Stacy]...bud, bloom, branch and bough is part of a greater whole.
- In fact, everything you see around you... - [chatter]
is entangled in a kind of symbiotic dance,
and the uniqueness of each participant enables the forest to thrive.
But if you wish to see the true genius and efficiency of Mother Nature,
just look up at the trees above you.
See the channels of space between the canopy?
This mysterious phenomenon is known as "crown shyness."
- Oh! - Each tree is aware of its boundaries.
- Thank you. - Which in tree-speak, means...
- No touching! - [laughter]
This kind of intelligence is not just limited to trees.
We see it across all of nature, even with the birds and the bees.
- Finally! - Birds and bees?
[laughter]
The bee collects pollen and nectar to feed the hive and create honey.
The flower receives pollen, which it needs to bear fruit.
I thought we were gonna learn about the real birds and bees.
I assure you, the lesson will be illuminating all the same.
And then we have the birds. Take the red-breasted nuthatch.
[laughter] Its main source of food
is the spruce budworm, which is a conifer pest.
- So while the Red-breast... - [laughter]
The bird gets its food,
the tree gets some much-needed pest relief.
Which leads me to the purpose of this outing...
- Mating season? - Disgusting!
[exclamations] [cry of pain]
- Oh, my goodness. - [cry of pain]
- Oh! - Moody! Oh, goodness me.
[screaming]
- Indians! - We are surrounded by savages!
- [babel] - Everyone, calm down!
- Can we focus on Moody? - Ruby, you alright?
- How is he? - It's deep.
There's nothing I can do here. He needs stitches.
The Mi'kmaq village. It's nearby, they can bring help.
- I know the way. I'll be right back. - We've got to get help.
- Ruby, are you alright? - Ruby. Ruby.
[in Mi'kmaq] Hello, Mimikej!
[in English] Remember me? Can you take me to your village?
Uh, wigwam. Mother?
- Is she going to be alright? - She's in shock.
Give her some honey. It'll bring her energy up.
- Be careful. - You're gonna be alright.
This will help.
- It's alright. - Oh...
This is the Mi'kmaq medicine woman. She's here to help.
Who is dead? My son, he said someone died.
Uh... no one's dead.
One of our girls has fainted and a boy is hurt.
[in Mi'kmaq] I heard the screaming from camp.
Thought someone had died too.
Alright, everyone, let's move out of the way now.
Thank you so much for your help.
Hello. The girl will be alright, but the boy needs help.
[in Mi'kmaq] Fix him up good.
This one buys my hockey sticks.
- No. - It is from the weeping tree.
- It grows by the water. - It's for pain?
[in Mi'kmaq] He'll need some sewing up.
Have him give me that honey.
She needs that. Honey cleanses the wound.
- No sickness can enter. - Oh, wow.
[Moody panting and exclaiming softly]
- Oh, God. - It's alright, it's alright. Just breathe.
- Oh, God. - It's alright.
- Oh, my goodness! - Breathe, breathe, Moody.
- It's alright, Moody. Just breathe. - You're alright.
- She's almost done. Look at me. - [groaning]
- You're doing great. - There. See?
[in Mi'kmaq] He'll be fine in no time. Just needs rest.
She says you must be gentle.
You will be well soon.
Oh, thank you. Keep it.
- I have so much of it. - [speaking Mi'kmaq]
I went to visit Ka'kwet a couple of weeks ago,
but I wasn't allowed to see her. I hope she is doing well.
We know nothing. They said that we will see her in summer.
We can only hope that she is well and happy.
And the bees, it's genius!
How they produce a substance that can actually heal wounds.
Why is that not in any of the medical textbooks that I read?
And the medicine woman used willow bark for pain!
That tree's been right underneath my nose this whole time.
It's... incredible! There's so much out there.
Why can't we use nature to be on the winning side of medicine?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
What else there is that we don't know.
I... don't know.
Well, neither do I, but I want to know.
I can tell you one thing.
You're dripping stew.
- [Delphine crying] - [Rachel] Oh, we stir up and down,
and we stir to and fro...
and off to bed you go!
Ah. Oh...
- I am running out of ideas. Ah! - [Delphine wailing]
Please go to sleep. Please?
Oh... you're so tired.
[wailing]
I'm so tired.
[bones cracking]
Oh!
- [groaning] - [wailing]
Oh.
- Ah. - [wailing]
- Oh, no! - Oh, you're late.
- She's awake. - She's teething.
And I'm leaving.
- [grunting] - [wailing]
- What's happened to you? - The same thing that's happened to you.
I can't keep up with this pace, Marilla. I can't do it.
I must admit, I'm finding this daily routine rather...
strenuous.
[silence]
[sigh of relief]
Right, then it's settled.
Bash needs a wife.
A wife?
- But he's still grieving, - And what of it?
We both know our old bones can't keep this up.
And besides, we are about to sow the winter crops.
How on earth are we to do all that when we're knee-deep in nappies?
You know I'm right, and it's the way of things.
Tell him to start looking.
- Me? - Trust me, Marilla,
we'll all be better for it.
[grunting]
[Rachel exclaiming softly]
- [door closing] - [wailing]
Seems about... That's right.
Mr. Cuthbert... at this rate, you could win at the county fair.
Look at those leaves!
Suppose they are quite big... for a radish.
Aren't they?
If it's alright with you, uh... may I go home early today?
It's time to plant les haricots out back. I promised my family...
Yeah, yeah, of course. Go on.
Thank you. [chuckling]
It's odd that there aren't more posts about me.
- [laughter] - [Anne] Another day of glorious obscurity.
How many notices today for you? I think I saw at least three.
[Diana] I think you may get a post from Charlie soon.
[Anne] What? Charlie, Charlie?
[Diana] Yes. The Charlie who couldn't stop looking at you earlier.
- Fiddlesticks! - [laughter]
I quite enjoyed the lesson today. Birds and bees are all well and good,
but give me wild wolves, soaring eagles and blue-crested herons up in the canopy!
Oh, to be the Bride of Adventure is so much more exciting.
Hear-hear! Give me red-breasted nuthatches or give me death!
Oh, I love that I'm not the only one courting adventure.
Has your mother forgiven your scandalous Acadian affair yet?
Hardly. She lives for melodrama.
She'll feast off that night for weeks to come.
Oh, then I do believe you'd be doing her a kindness
by indulging in even more unsuitable experiences.
- It's the least I can do. - [laughter]
[sighing]
Well...
that's day 124.
- Lockets? - Mm-hmm.
Kindred spirits forever.
Mwah! Farewell!
- Mwah! - [laughter]
[sighs]
- Jerry? - Hello.
Um, I was hoping I'd be here in time.
In time for...?
You're not here to walk me home, are you?
Because that's... definitely... not allowed.
I... I know. I shouldn't be here.
In fact, my mother would say it's highly improper.
- Wouldn't you agree? - I... I don't know.
- You don't know? - I've only met your mother once. Um...
but my mother says you're très charmante.
In which case, I agree.
Flattery is also improper.
Désolé.
I-I can go home now, Diana,
if... that's what you prefer.
I'd prefer that we continue.
[Anne] Tillie, the Pauls are quite ardent!
- [laughter] - [background chatter]
- [Tillie] I can't choose one. - [laughter]
Hello again, dear world.
Medical research at The Sorbonne in Paris.
Funny, Dr. Ward mentioned antitoxins last month.
What's an antitoxin?
It's a new kind of preventative medicine.
Seems to actually be working, from the look of it,
even though Dr. Ward called it "nonsense."
Most people have a hard time trusting new ideas.
The Sorbonne is an excellent university.
And thousands of miles and dollars away.
I know a doctor named Emily Oak
who's doing similar work at the University of Toronto.
- A female doctor? - Perhaps you could write to her, Gilbert.
I expect she could guide you toward Canadian universities
specializing in medical research.
Thank you. I'll take you up on that.
Oh, just look at these obituaries.
So many incredible lives.
Reading these makes me wish my own parents had been remembered the same way
so I might've known something about them.
Perhaps we should write an obituary for Mary in the Avonlea Gazette.
- For Delphine. - That's a lovely idea.
It is. I'll ask Bash, see what he thinks about it.
Anne! You're on the board! Charlie "noticed you"!
- Good morning, Anne. - Busy! Sorry!
So, Anne, are you gonna dance with Charlie tomorrow?
Am I what?
Miss Stacy scheduled practice for the county-fair barn dance.
- For all of us. - Boys and girls.
That means... touching.
- Dancing's for girls. - But at least there's touching.
I'm going to hate practicing with these silly boys.
I'll only be dancing with my intended at the fair.
I don't think I'm a very good dancer.
Don't worry, it's all in knees.
- [laughter] - Enjoy.
Billy has two left feet and they both smell awful.
[boisterous laughter]
It's too much too soon!
And besides, it's... it's not my place to...
Well, what is your place in this matter?
Is it to cook and clean for hours and hours,
only to run home to do it all over again?!
- Surely there must be another way... - [both] Precisely what I've been saying!
Ev-everything alright, ladies?
Sebastian... take a seat.
[door closes]
Right.
It's time you remarried.
- [Marilla sighing] - Marry?
Exactly. June is mere weeks away, and it's the toughest month of the year.
With all the sowing and harvesting, you'll be in need of a woman
so you can tend to your land.
And who knows, maybe in time,
you'll have more children to help on the farm.
Perhaps a son or two. Now, wouldn't that be nice?
I expect he needs more time to...
You'll need a young wife...
with some energy, a bit of meat on her.
Childbearing hips. What about that lovely gal from the Bog...
- Rachel, that is quite enough! - This is important, Marilla!
We care for you deeply, Bash. But this...
...arrangement, fond as it is,
cannot be sustained.
Find yourself a wife, or Delphine must be placed out.
Adoption?
When a tragedy strikes such as yours and you cannot care for a child,
you'd best consider matrimony, dear boy.
Right quick.
I think I'll write to my mother.
Oh, Sebastian.
That seems like a very good idea indeed.
[Marilla sighs]
Perhaps Charlie Sloane should take notice of what an ill match we are.
He's never taken a chance in his life!
Well, he posted, didn't he? That was bold.
Anne Shirley-Cuthbert-Sloane!
Sounds like groan.
Tone. Bemoan.
I wouldn't be the Bride of Adventure.
- More like the Bride of Boring! - Anne.
- You're right, that was callous. - No. Yes.
Uh, I just remembered.
I'm to accompany Minnie May in her music lesson so I really must go.
- Oh, uh, wait. Can I come with you? - No!
Um, if you hear her play, you'll never recover. Best not.
But I was hoping to borrow a book from your father's study.
- Do you think he'd have one on Scotland... - I'll take a look. Bye!
Thank you! Bye.
Day 122.
[sighs]
[Jerry] Diana.
You're not supposed to be here.
Oh... If anybody saw us here, we'd be in grave trouble.
"It's true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world.
But on that account, we shall be more attached to one another."
It's really, really good.
Merci, Jerry.
So many months of snow and frost,
I almost forgot what the very earth below me looks like.
Mary sure brought this garden to life.
Don't get your hopes up. I don't think I have her green thumb.
Mary brought everything to life.
I was thinking... it'd be nice if people knew more about her.
I'd like to write an obituary for Mary in the Gazette.
She should have her legacy honoured.
I was talking with Anne and she felt...
it would be something for Delly to hold onto.
[Matthew] Not long now
till you're a mama.
And a fine one you'll be.
Big doings soon.
Look there.
You see how the foal... is at the back?
It's almost time.
Let's away.
I think Belle, she needs her peace and privacy now.
I don't envy Baby Belle her teenage years.
It's a long time till then.
He or she isn't even here yet.
I know.
But maturity is exhausting.
A nice cup of tea will set things right.
[Anne sighing] Maybe so.
I dunno. I doubt my mum will come.
Want me to take a look?
And, uh... you should see how you feel about this.
As promised, today we'll be practicing for the county-fair barn dance.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynde have kindly consented to help us in this endeavour.
Since The Dashing White Sergeant needs a set of six,
I thought we'd better do so.
Oh, you remember my son.
- Yes, of course. - It's very nice to see you again.
Thank you...
all for coming to help.
Shall we?
We shall!
Pay particular attention to the patterns.
Ready?
- Ready when you are, Mrs. Lynde. - [laughter]
Please clap out the rhythm.
And eight steps round.
Five, six, seven and eight, and back to other way!
Centre dancers, get ready to set,
and set and set,
and turn with both hands.
And set and set,
and one, two, three.
Reels of three! One, two, three.
Give your left shoulder to the partner facing you!
One, two, three, and all tree lines reform.
And one, two, three, four.
And back, two, three, four.
And... sweep under raised arms to form another set.
Ah! And stop. Oh!
That's the basic pattern.
Why don't we have you give it a try? Please form your sets of six:
boy-girl, boy and girl,
boy-girl, boys and girls...
- Come along. - [babel]
- [indistinct chatter] - Okay, uh...
- Ah. - [background chatter]
- Um, I... - Lovely.
[Anne] Can we just get this over with?
[laughter]
Ready? Here we go.
One, two, three, four.
And one and two and three and four and five and six and...
- Out of the way, out of the way. - ...and four. Get ready.
Two, set, set!
And fetch. Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn.
Set to the dancer on your right! Right!
- I don't know what I'm doing. - Oh, dear.
[Rachel, yelling] Stop, stop, stop!
That was... a start.
[chuckling] Yeah, that's... Take a little break.
- Catch my breath. Catch your breath. - Did you see me dancing?
- You'll get it. - [background chatter]
- What's the matter, Ruby? - Are you feeling faint again?
- She's shaking. - You can tell us.
I... What if I'm pregnant?!
My mother said if I so much as go near a boy,
I might get pregnant, and if a boy touches me,
then I'll certainly get pregnant!
So I must be. You all could be!
- How could this be? - [babel]
But who's the father?
- How could you let this happen?! - Girls, girls, please, calm yourselves.
I can assure you, no one will become pregnant from dancing.
- But there was so much touching! - That's not how it works. It's not...
uh... topical.
There are... many steps to conceiving.
First, courtship. Then, of course, marriage.
Then you and your husband... m-m-m-may...
will... with your consent,
go down... that cherished path to parenthood.
Together.
Is that clear?
- Good. - I'm afraid to dance.
You don't have to. You may sit this out if you wish.
- Dancing is stupid. - How much longer?
- I'm hungry. - Looks good.
How does it feel, though? Itchiness?
No, just a little sore.
[sighs] It's incredible.
So, can I dance now?
Sorry, you still need to heal.
[Rachel] Alright.
Let's try this once again.
Shall I play?
- Yes. - Yes, thank you.
Caleb, why don't you and Muriel step in?
- Here we go! - [music playing]
Go! One, two, three, four and five,
six, seven, eight!
Other way! And two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight!
And set and set,
turn with both hands and set!
And set and turn, turn, turn!
Reels of three!
Three, two, and left shoulder.
Left shoulder. Ha-ha! Very good.
And all three lines reform! Here we go!
And together, two, three, four, and away...
Very good. And sweep through, raised arms,
to form another set.
Here we go! And one and two and three and four,
five, six, seven. Other way!
One, two, three, four, five, six,
and here we go and...
[soft music]
[soft piano music]
[banjo music fading]
[Rachel clapping] Well done, well done!
[background chatter and laughter]
[boy clears throat]
Uh...
Oh. Charlie.
Afternoon, Anne.
I was wondering, uh...
May I walk with you a ways?
Wait.
Do you mean...
walk with me?
Yes.
If that's alright.
Of course.
- Did you enjoy the dance practice? - No, I didn't.
- You seem to be a natural at it. - Me? A natural? No, no, no, no!
If anything, I found the whole affair to be torturous!
What a ludicrous waste of time! Queens exams are on the horizon,
yet we're spinning around like dying bees? It's ridiculous!
In fact, I can think of an infinite number of things
I'd rather spend my time on instead of participating in that...
frippery! [sighing]
How can you possibly not agree?
- I worry for you, is all. - Worry for me?
Why?
You think so much and you're very emotional.
It might damage your ability to have children in the future.
I don't understand.
I'm sorry, did you not know?
An overly active mind causes women to be barren.
[crow cawing]
I'm doomed! I don't know what my future holds,
but I expected to have all the options. [sighing]
Is there... medical evidence?
I have no idea!
[sighing]
Dashing... White... Sergeant!
This White Sergeant, what did he do to offend you so?
Dancing isn't my preferred way to spend an afternoon, that's all.
[sighing] I don't...
I don't understand it.
Even those bees of yours dance. What was so confusing?
If I...
If I feel something...
for... a girl...
does that mean that... she's the one that I should marry?
[chuckling] Uh... not necessarily, Blythe.
Attraction - yes, it's important.
But love... that's what truly matters.
And love is bigger than those...
feelings you're talking about.
Hmm.
[chuckling] Does that makes sense?
I think so.
- Mind telling me who this girl is? - [laughing] I mind.
- You sure? - Yep.
- How about now? - Nope.
You can tell her.
She won't talk.
Here. I haven't read it, but...
Oh... Oh, it's beautiful.
Thank you!
I hope you find whatever your heart desires in its pages.
I'm sure I will. Look at all this. Uh... Aberdeen,
Isle of Skye!
- [laughter] - Hello, Diana.
Jerry.
- Uh, how are you today? - Fine, thank you.
- How long can I keep this for? - What... what book is that?
- Uh... - Sorry, would you excuse us?
Oh. Of-of-of-of course.
Désolé.
I think you made quite the impression when you stayed for supper.
[scoffs]
You can keep it as long as you like.
- [cow lowing] - Ah...
- Jerry! - [cow lowing]
This must belong to you.
Uh...
yes, it's mine.
Merci.
I'm sure she wasn't herself at all. And for the first time ever,
I was completely confounded by what Miss Stacy was saying.
What did she mean by "steps to consent"?
Perhaps it has to do with being escorted home.
Walking home? But there's no touching.
- Unless there's rough ground. - So it's like...
animal husbandry?
That's disgusting! We're not filthy animals.
But... animals don't have to think.
Perhaps that's why they bear offspring so easily.
Oh, no... that means...
Perhaps Charlie is right.
Maybe intelligent and emotional females can't bear children!
Emotional?
You definitely aren't pregnant, Ruby.
But I don't want to be barren!
Surely there must be someone who can answer all this.
[Anne scoffing]
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no!
- You have to do it. - In you go.
Uh... hello?
Anne has a question.
Is... it true...
that women of intelligence
and passio... uh... emotion
are... doomed to be infertile?
Is that how repro...
duction works? [clears throat]
Um...
There's nothing I've seen in my medical experience
that would lead me to believe that.
So, uh...
no.
- Is that all? - [wispering] The steps.
Ask him.
Well, good day, then.
He said seen!
What has he seen?
Enough!
We need to purge ourselves of all of these nonsensical lies!
And I know a cure.
- And it's in your book on Scotland, Diana. - What is it?
It's called Beltane.
We'll all meet tonight, in the meadow,
just past the Lake of Shining Waters, as soon as it's dark.
Be there.
"Mary LaCroix was born on a winter's day in 1865.
As those who knew her well can attest,
her presence was felt like an endless summer.
Her smile could lighten a room where no candles were lit.
Her laugh could warm a home with an empty hearth.
Fierce yet kind,
she could cut a man down with her sharpness of tongue,
but would bandage the broken wing of a sparrow,
such was her sense of justice.
For she was as generous in spirit
as she was with her cinnamon-sugar glaze
constantly rebutting the lack of sweetness in this world.
Her life was not short on challenges.
And still, she held no grudges,
believing instead that grace is perennial,
like the green, green grass.
Whatever Mary did, she did fully,
unwaveringly, with open arms.
Whether it be raising her beloved son Elijah,
or welcoming her precious daughter, Delphine, into this world,
she lived life with both her hands.
And when she left this world on April 6, 1899,
her hands were held tightly by Sebastian,
the love of her life.
She was laid to rest
in the place she called home.
Avonlea."
- [babbling] - Hmm?
That's your mama.
Oh, William...
she was a lovely woman.
I'm so ashamed we declined her invitations.
So utterly ashamed.
Well, at least we gave her a fine Easter Sunday.
We hardly gave it.
And it wasn't nearly enough.
Perhaps we can bring some ease to their situation now.
Somehow.
What about those marvelous apples of theirs?
We could include them in our export.
Don't you think they'd love them in England?
I do indeed.
Let's have the dear boys over to dinner to discuss, hmm?
[girls giggling]
[folk music playing]
[Anne] Goddess of Beltane, Sacred Mother, Queen of May,
Wild Lady of the Woods,
Guardian of Love and Life,
welcome to our circle.
[all] We women, powerful and sacred,
declare upon this Hallowed Night...
Our heavenly bodies belong solely to us.
We shall choose whom to love and with whom to share trust.
We shall walk upon this earth with grace and respect.
We'll always take pride in our great intellect.
We'll honor our emotions so our spirits may soar!
And should any man belittle us...
[all]...we'll show him the door!
Our spirits are unbreakable, our imaginations free!
[all] Walk with us, Goddess, so blessed are we!
[excited screaming]
[exclamations and laughter]
[exclaiming]
Ruby?
Ruby? Wh-what's wrong? What is it?
How I love being a woman!
[wild cheering]
[snorting softly]
- [boy grunting] - [girl] Ah!