Flashbacks reveal Matthew’s childhood and his relationship with his deceased older brother, Michael . It is revealed that Michael was the outgoing one who encouraged the shy Matthew, explaining why Matthew sees so much of his brother's spirit in Anne.

" I Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion " is the sixth episode of the second season of , originally released on Netflix on July 6, 2018. The episode title is a quote from George Eliot’s novel Middlemarch . Episode Overview

The introduction of Michael Cuthbert provides depth to the Cuthbert family history and Matthew's quiet nature.

Anne’s temporary masculine presentation allows her to explore social roles typically denied to girls.

When an accident leaves a vacancy in the play, Matthew overcomes his lifelong stage fright to perform, a significant emotional milestone for his character. Core Themes Exploration in S2E6 Gender Identity

Critics often point to Matthew and Gilbert in this episode as models of supportive, non-aggressive male characters.