Ep 1. Eye of Heaven

Emily of New Moon is a Canadian television drama series based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1923 novel Emily of New Moon. The series aired on the CBC network from 1998 to 2000, and it consists of three seasons with a total of 43 episodes. The show follows the life of Emily Starr, a young orphan girl, as she navigates the challenges of growing up in early 20th-century Prince Edward Island.

In episode 1 of season 1, entitled "Eye of Heaven," we are introduced to Emily Starr, a 13-year-old girl who has recently lost her father and is forced to move to the small town of Blair Water to live with her relatives, Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jimmy. The episode begins with Emily's arrival in Blair Water, where she is met with a cool reception from her Aunt and Cousin. Emily quickly discovers that she is not welcome in her new home and is expected to conform to the strict rules imposed by her Aunt.

Despite feeling like an outsider, Emily is determined to build a new life for herself in Blair Water. One of the first things she does is explore her new surroundings, which includes the beautiful and mysterious New Moon farm that she can see from her bedroom window. Emily becomes fascinated with the farm and its owner, Ilse Burnley, who is somewhat of an enigma in the town. Emily is drawn to Ilse's independent spirit and her love of adventure, which stands in stark contrast to the rigid and conventional expectations of her Aunt.

As Emily tries to adjust to her new life, she is also struggling with the loss of her father and the grief that comes with it. She spends her evenings writing in her journal, pouring out her thoughts and feelings onto the page. Emily's writing is an essential part of her life, as it allows her to express herself and cope with the challenges she faces. In one particularly poignant scene, Emily sits alone in her bedroom looking up at the night sky and reflects on her father's memory. She spots a shooting star and believes that it is a sign from her father, a symbol of hope that she desperately needs in her new life.

As the episode progresses, Emily begins to make some new friends in Blair Water, including a boy named Perry Miller, who shares her love of writing. Perry encourages Emily to keep writing and even helps her sneak out of the house to attend a poetry reading at the local bookstore. Emily is thrilled to be among fellow writers and poets, and she begins to feel like she has found a place where she belongs.

The episode comes to a close with Emily attending a party at New Moon farm, where she finally meets Ilse Burnley. Emily is captivated by Ilse's free-spirited nature and the sense of adventure that surrounds her. Ilse takes Emily on a tour of the farm, showing her the animals and the gardens, and they even sneak into the house to look at some of Ilse's father's treasures. Emily feels like she has found a kindred spirit in Ilse and is grateful for the friendship that is developing between them.

In conclusion, "Eye of Heaven" is a charming and poignant episode that sets up the premise of the series and introduces us to its main character, Emily Starr. The episode does an excellent job of establishing the tone and setting of the show, with beautiful cinematography of Prince Edward Island and a moving soundtrack that captures the emotions of the characters. The performances of the cast are excellent, particularly the young actress who plays Emily, who is both vulnerable and resilient in equal measure. Fans of classic literature and coming-of-age stories are sure to enjoy this first episode of Emily of New Moon.