Things in Anne With An E got shaken up a little with the advent of season two. Up until this point, Anne was the main—often, the only—trail-blazer of the show, especially when it came to the children characters. But then Cole Mackenzie came along and added a whole new world of color.
Cole adds to the misfit theme of the show, but without being redundant or cliche. Cole is the more soft, subdued complement to Anne's wildfire approach to life, providing the opportunity for new character dynamics and perspectives. There is much to appreciate about Cole, especially things that might not be immediately apparent to the viewer.
He's The First Queer Character In The Show
While Cole isn't technically the first queer character to be seen on the show—both the school teacher and Aunt Jo have made appearances—he is the first to be indicated as such. Cole stands out from the other kids at school, and, when prompted to kiss a girl in a game, he refuses. He only kisses Anne in form of solidarity, as there is clearly no romance between them. Cole is the first lead on the show, and only child, to be gay, something he openly asserts when he goes to Aunt Jo's party.
He's A Trail Blazer In His Family
Cole is a bit of a misfit in the show as a whole, but he also stands as the odd one out in his family. Cole's family doesn't get much screen time, but the way they are presented in the time they do get makes it clear that Cole takes very little after them.
They are farmers with purely practical interests, and Cole's artistic identity—and likely his sexuality—would not be welcomed or understood.
He Helps Diana Accept Her Aunt Jo
Diana is not quick to accept her Aunt Jo's lifestyle once she realizes the truth to the story of her long partnership with a woman Diana had assumed was merely a good friend. However, Diana's friendship with Cole can only help to influence her opening her mind. Even if Diana doesn't explicitly know about Cole's sexuality, being close friends with someone who is accepting of all forms of love, and who forms a special connection with her Aunt, helps her to be more accepting.
He Breaks Social Etiquette In School
Anne's own experiences in the school system illustrate the importance of social etiquette and the suffering that is caused when one breaks it. Anne speaks too much and too openly, getting her into trouble with the teacher and alienating her from her peers. In many cases, she acts too much like a boy is expected to.
Cole is the same, but opposite. Behaving in ways that are expected only of the female students, like showing interest in Anne's hairstyle, causes Cole to stand out and puts him at risk of ridicule from both students and teacher.
He's The Only Boy Anne Openly Likes
Anne is no fan of boys, at least when she is younger. Boys mostly serve as a reminder of the things Anne isn't allowed to do as a girl, and she generally considers herself more intelligent than them.
But, with Cole, things are different. Cole occurs to Anne as a "kindred spirit," and someone who similarly embodies traits that do not fit tidily into the categories given, causing him to be the first boy that Anne opens into her life with no contempt.
He Quickly Learns Which Battles Are Worth Fighting
Cole has several valid reasons to want to pick a fight with the world. He is poor, meaning he has limited options in life. He is gay, and his sexuality is not acceptable in current society. He's a gentle artist in a town that values men who are hard and practical.
Fans see a time where such pressures do build up and nearly cause Cole to give up and give in to anger and resentment in his classroom fight with Billy. But, upon seeing what little help this fight was, Cole quickly learns the important life lesson that not every battle is useful, and they often actually give way to more destruction. He finds wisdom early for someone so young.
He Is Abnormally Sure Of Himself
Cole has his troubles and suffers a journey of self-acceptance and finally setting out into the world, but something he never seems to have to try for his self-knowledge. Upon looking closely, viewers will see that Cole very much knows who he is all the way through the show.
He is passionate about his art and devotes time to it from day one, and, while he must hide his sexuality from his peers, it never seems that he is hiding it from himself. Cole has a sense of self that many young people, and many adults, for that matter, can look to for inspiration.
He Never Hangs Out With The Boys
Fans might not have noticed that as gender-segregated as the schoolhouse encourages kids to be, Cole manages to find his way into the girl's side of things. He is seen mingling with them before class starts, and even eating lunch with them. The teacher at one point punishes him for being too effeminate with Anne, helping her with her hair, but one might be surprised that the rest of the boys don't actually seem to make much of a fuss about Cole's atypical behavior.
He Immediately Takes To The High Life
It hasn't been all that long when Anne comes back to visit Cole in his new life living with Aunt Jo. Cole goes from a poor farming family to the mansions of a wealthy woman. He has access to the best of the best, can pursue his art and live in the truth of his identity—at least within the walls of the home—and walks about in the finest of clothes. It's a wonderful advance in his storyline to see Cole taken under someone's wing, but fans might find themselves hoping that he doesn't forget the beauty and value of his humble beginnings.