Being a witch at Cackle's Academy can have its sentimental rewards.
1998 series
- The relationship between Miss Drill and the girls. Especially in the Season 3 premiere when she comforts Mildred over Ethel's bullying. And after spending the whole episode considering leaving her job, she decides to stay - her main motivation being to act as supervisor to Mildred and her friends' new club. And in a Book Ends to the beginning of the episode, this time she joins in dancing with the girls - and looks like she's thoroughly enjoying it.
- Closely related is Miss Hardbroom's decision to stay in the season 2 finale. Specifically the conversation she has with Mildred.
- In contrast to Maud in the books, who doesn't make up with Mildred until after she's saved the school from disaster, Maud in the Halloween Episode actually goes straight to Mildred's room to apologize for being frosty with her earlier. Of course, Mildred has already run away by that point, but it's the thought that counts:Maud: Millie? Millie, are you awake? I couldn't sleep for thinking about how horrible I was. I was tired and fed up, that's all. I'm still your friend, Millie. Nothing's changed, honestly.
- After Mildred later finds Maud and explains her plan to save the school, Maud stops her before she walks away to say "Millie...friends?" and they instantly hug. Even though they and the school are in serious danger (or perhaps because this is the case), Maud still wants her best friend to know how sorry she is.
- The first sign of Miss Hardbroom's softer side in the first series. After Mildred has saved the school from a group of evil witches, Miss Hardbroom appears suspicious as to what Mildred was doing in the woods where she found the witches in the first place. Mildred tries to cover the fact that she was running away from school by saying she was simply going for a walk. Miss Hardbroom doesn't seem quite convinced, noting that Mildred had all her belongings with her...but instead of the reprimand we might have been expecting, she comes out with something quite different:
Miss Hardbroom: Well...whatever the reason, we were all very lucky you were there. Thank you, Mildred. - In the first episode, which would also double as a Moment of Awesome. Maud, who has only been at the school for one week, stands up to Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle - to convince them to give Mildred a chance to finish her broomstick test.
- Miss Bat sticks up for Mildred too, assuring them that they're not so different.
- Ruby and Jadu, along with Maud, come up with an empowering chant to help give Mildred the courage to finish the test. Fire-Forged Friends indeed!
- In "Maud's Big Mistake", Maud discovers, after accidentally erasing everyone's memories of her and Mildred meeting with forgetting powder, including Mildred herself, she is literally the only reason Miss Cackle allows Mildred to stay at the academy despite being more accident prone than Gilligan at times, since she's always been there to help Mildred and stay on her feet and is slowly helping her get better. And without her, Mildred would be lost.
- While Agatha's abuse of Mildred while impersonating her sister in "A Bolt From the Blue" is a huge Tear Jerker, Mildred immediately knows something is wrong; whatever her feelings towards the teachers, she loves and respects her headmistress, and knows she would never treat her students so horribly.
- Ethel also works with the girls to figure out what Agatha might be up to, with apparently no resentment. On this occasion, even she realises she went too far with her prank in class, and is prepared to make amends for her behaviour. She still seems sulky at the praise Mildred later receives for defeating the witches, but it does show Even Evil Has Standards.
- A small moment in "Sorcery and Chips: when Mildred arrives late in class due to injuring herself on some stairs, one of the other girls, Harriet, joins Ruby and Jadu in asking Mildred if she's all right. Though she only has one line, the sympathy and concern in her voice is quite heartwarming. It's not just Mildred's regular group of friends who care about her - she is clearly liked by others in the form as well.
- Mr Hallow, despite being Ethel's father, shows concern for Mildred when she has an accident.
- "Alarms and Diversions" shows Mildred getting that medal for bravery she thought she would when she accidentally dropped the bucket of water on Miss Hardbroom - for saving Sybil from the tornado.
- "The Great Outdoors" climaxes with a magical snowstorm conjured up by the girls during a treasure hunt. After everything has been resolved, Spooky reveals that he did find the treasure, and suggests giving it to Drucilla since she sprained her ankle in the snowstorm. Maud however suggests giving it to Mildred, since she went out in the storm to rescue Drucilla. The latter wholeheartedly agrees, thanking Mildred for saving her life. She and Ethel even happily join in with the Rocky Mountain Rangers singing their anthem.
- Sybil gets her flowers in "The Inspector Calls", both impressing Mildred and saving the school by turning the mean Mistress Broomhead back into a child, which exposes her as a former schoolmate of Miss Cackle who was expelled for misusing magic. Doubles as an Awesome Moment, since Sybil casts the spell specifically to challenge Mistress Broomhead when she threatens to close the school down.
- In the Grand Finale, although Drucilla had ended her friendship with Ethel, she's seen comforting her when Mildred is elected head girl.
- It's rather nice to see the Grand Wizard and Miss Cackle being impressed with Mildred in "Sweet Talking Guys" when she uses the potion Baz and Gaz had made to also become an eloquent public speaker."You've been hiding your limelight under the bushel, girl."
- Miss Hardbroom is likewise very impressed with how Mildred exposed Baz and Gaz's cheating.
2017 series
- In the 2017 series, Miss Bat telling Mildred that she belongs at Cackles, and that she is a witch.
- Maud telling and showing Millie, more than once, that if she had to choose between being her friend and attending Cackles, she'd choose the first.
- Throughout the 2017 series, HB's complete, absolute Undying Loyalty to Miss Cackle.
- Miss Pentangle telling Mildred that You Are Better Than You Think You Are, that she has a gift, and offering her a place at her school.Miss Pentangle: "We think you're a very special witch, Mildred. We'd love to have you at our school."
- When Mildred declines, Miss Pentangle is completely understanding.
- Upon winning the Spelling Bee, Mildred is cheered on by her classmates, as well as her friends, and Miss Cackle. Except, Ethel. As of that episode, according to Enid and Maud, Mildred is no longer the worst witch.
- Mildred setting things up so that Ms. Pentangle and HB can mend their bridges. HB later returns Mildred's cat to her, with an almost-smile.
- Ms. Cackle combining a lesson for Ms. Pentangle, a lesson for Sybil, and a You Are Better Than You Think You Are for the latter, all at once.
- Ms. Pentangle tells HB that she looked up to her, and kissing her on the cheek.
- Ms. Cackle hugs Mildred as they wave goodbye to Ms. Pentangle, and promising to stay for a good long time.
- While the magical ice is creeping up on them, Miss Cackle comforts the students until the very last.
- After having been transformed into a troll in the 2017 series, Ethel tells her younger sister that "You are braver and smarter than you think you are."
- After one of Ms Hubble's spells goes wrong, Mildred covers for her. Then Maud takes responsibility. Then Felicity speaks up as well. When HB sarcastically asks if anyone else would like to confess, every student in the room (except Ethel, obviously) raises their hands.
- The second series finale of the 2017 series has Mildred discovering that she has magical ancestry, saving the school and all its inhabitants, and attending a Halloween party. The episode closes with Mildred applauding, with the rest of the school after Miss Cackle's speech during the Halloween party, with a huge grin on her face, as Maud and Enid hug each other and Esmeralda hold Ethel and Sybil close. Bonus points: Beatrice Bunch (aka Ynez Williams) leads the applause to play out.Miss Cackle: I apologize to spoil the party.[The students and staff of Cackles gather around]Miss Cackle: I will just say that obviously, there is much to be discussed, and consequences to be faced. But tonight is our night, Halloween. Let us celebrate that we are witches. Let us celebrate that we are, one and all, one big magical family! Thank you.[Beatrice Bunch claps loudly and then the rest of the school cheers and claps in celebration. Esmeralda hugs Sybil and Ethel close. Maud and Enid clap twice, then embrace each other as they laugh. As Mildred and Julie applaud dutifully, they exchange a quick glance and smile at each other.][The ending music kicks in and the end credits roll ending both the episode and the second season on a high note]
- This shot of Maud and Enid hugging
◊ near the end of the season 2 finale.
- This shot of Maud and Enid hugging
- At the end of "Starstruck" from the 2017 series, Mildred, Maud, and Indigo reconcile with Enid, right in the middle of Narcissus's show. Upon reconciling, Mildred, Maud, Enid, and Indigo are applauded by the entire school. Despite Ethel not joining in, Sybil and Felicity were on their feet!Enid: About everything I said to you earlier? I'm sorry.Mildred: Not at all.Enid: [to the audience who's watching in anticipation] If anything, we'd love to have Indigo stay at Cackles. [to Indigo] What do you think?[Mildred, Maud, and Enid turn to Indigo as the audience watches in anticipation. Indigo smiles]Indigo: Yes. Thanks, Enid. Promise we'll stick together this time?Enid: That's what witches do, Indigo. That's what witches do.[The four girls hug and the entire school applaud Mildred, Maud, Enid, and Indigo. A few students got up to their feet applauding, including Felicity, Sybil, Mabel, Clarice, and Beatrice. Ethel doesn't applaud and just sits quietly, feeling guilty for what she did earlier.]
- Basically everything in the last scene, minus the post-credit scene, in the series finale of the 2017.
- Miss Cackle's final speech right before Mildred's.
Miss Cackle: I apologize that events have kept us a day longer than expected. But on a positive note...I am definitely me. [the students smile at her] In other good news, The Great Wizard has informed me that Wormwood School is to be closed and its pupils to be returned to their real academies. Thanks to to efforts of our two pupils in exposing in awful and outdated practices. Thank you, Maud and Mildred.[The students politely applaud as they glance towards Maud and Mildred. Ethel smiles at Mildred and looks down. Mildred exchanges a high-five with Maud. Everyone turns back to Miss Cackle as she finishes her speech. Miss Cackle waits for the applause to die down and wraps it up.]Miss Cackle: Which brings to why we're here today.[Maud holds hands with Mildred in anticipation]Miss Cackle: Witches and wizards, it's with great pleasure that I present...Mildred Hubble, our new head girl![Mildred gasps in surprise][The students clap and cheer as Maud helps Mildred out of her seat, beckoning her to head on stage. As Mildred leaves her seat, Maud claps along with the rest of the students. As Mildred reaches the stage, she finds Miss Cackle with her Head Girl sash waiting for her.]Miss Cackle: Well done, Mildred.Mildred Hubble: Thank you...Miss Cackle.[Miss Cackle places the sash on Mildred and has her face the audience as they applaud her. By then, Maud smiles at Mildred, applauding with a grin on her face. As Ethel smiles at Mildred, relieved that she made the right decision, Felicity puts a comforting arm on Ethel, feeling sorry for Ethel's loss.]- After having amazing ups and downs, and facing tremendous obstacles and adventures at the academy, Mildred is officially promoted as new Head Girl. Mildred accepts the position and expresses to the rest of the school how grateful she is for attending Cackles Academy as well as the friends and family she made along the way. What makes it more heartwarming is that Mildred's monologue was a way to thank the fans for coming along with Mildred on her journey for four years and that the adventures and stories at Cackles Academy are over.
Mildred Hubble: Thank you, Miss Cackle. And thank you everyone for coming. Four years ago, I didn't know there was a Cackles. I couldn't fly a broomstick or even make a potion. I didn't know these things were real.Mildred Hubble: Well, they are. As real as the friends we've made here...and the fun we've have...and the family that we are. I now know that magic is real. But you don't need a cauldron and you don't need a spellbook. There is magic inside each and every one of us. Witch or not. You just have to believe in it. Thank you. [Mildred smiles at her peers and does a brief "ta-dah" pose][A moment paused. Right before an emotional Miss Cackle puts her hands together, and is followed by Miss Hardbroom and Miss Drill. Miss Tapioca and Mr Daisy follow suit and is joined by Maud, Izzy, Azura, Julie, Spike, Sybil, Beatrice, Felicity, Fenella, Mabel, Clarice, and finally Ethel. The rest of the school joins in as they give Mildred a standing ovation as they celebrate their victory. Julie cries tears of joy as Spike glances over at her making sure she's OK. As Miss Drill dons a big smile with her eyes watering happily, Miss Hardbroom smiles and winks at the camera. As the music swells, Mildred takes a bow to her classmates and steps down from the stage and meets up with Maud, Izzy, and Azura who embrace her in a group hug. Clarice weeps with joy as she watches from the side◊. Fenella gives one Long Last Look and leaves by stepping to the side. As Sybil watches, she glances at Ethel several times. The third time, Ethel looks at Sybil and smiles, while Felicity looks at Ethel and glances and smiles genuinely at Mildred. As Mildred breaks the hug with Maud, Izzy, and Azura and smile at each other, at the side of the screen Sybil and Felicity embrace Ethel in a comforting group hug, congratulating Ethel on being a good sport. The screen cuts to black as the series comes to a close.]- And for the big finish of this scene, the school celebrates Mildred's promotion as well as their victory, as mentioned above. Even Ethel and Miss Hardbroom, Mildred's former frenemies, are proud. Mildred might have gotten misty-eyed.
- Fenella's final appearance in that said episode was her giving one last look at Mildred embracing her friends and leaves without another word. The look on her face◊ really shows that the end is near and this is the last time we'll be seeing Cackle's celebrating their victory.
- Bonus, a blink-it-and-you miss it moment, after Ethel shows good sportsmanship by cheering Mildred, Sybil and Felicity comforts Ethel with a hug as the girls reconcile. Now that's sisterhood and friendship!
- And for the bonus points...it was ad-libbed by Jenny Richardson, Dagny Rollins, and Trixie Hyde! Jenny says that it was Trixie's idea for Sybil, Felicity, and Ethel to hug for their final appearances as a dramatic exit. It worked well with the director and kept it in.
- "The Witching Hour, Part 2", ends Ethel's storyline of the 2017 series on a bittersweet note. While Ethel may not be Head Girl, she still got happier outcomes than she thought. She is no longer the Alpha Bitch of the academy, she has grown to be a better person, she is now the advisor of Head Girl for next semester, and she reconciles with Felicity and Sybil. And for the topping of the cake, she finally has her first genuine best friend: Mildred Hubble.
- Miss Cackle's last line in the series before Mildred's real speech, after her first failed attempt thanks to Mildred reading her packing list.
Miss Cackle: It's OK.- Maud Spellbody throughout the entire final scene was a rollercoaster of emotions. When Mildred was announced as Head Girl, Maud was the first to applaud. And her last line was anything but adorable as seen below. Moments later, after Mildred's speech and the school celebrates, Maud had no words needed to say and just gives Mildred a big hug in gratitude for always being there for her. Prior to this, she even leads the school in a standing ovation. All this makes perfect sense because Maud had been Mildred's friend since the beginning of the series and this made her feel more grateful for Mildred than ever.
Maud Spellbody: [close to happy tears] I'm so proud of you, Mildred!- Mildred's mom and her newfound family were proud of Mildred when she was appointed as Head Girl. Julie and Spike final appearances on the show was a shot of them after Mildred's speech and as everyone rejoices, Julie cries happily as Spike glances over to make sure she's OK◊.
- The original broadcast of the Grand Finale of the 2017 series on CBBC, had the cast bidding the viewers farewell. It featured the cast after filming the final episode, during the production of the final season in 2019. Sadly, this moment cannot be seen on BBC iPlayer as well as rerun broadcasts of the finale and on Netflix.Dagny Rollins: Thank you to everyone.[The rest of the cast, Billie Boullet, Lydia Page, Megan Hughes, and Jenny Richardson, say their thanks and wave goodbye. Jenny Richardson blows a kiss to the camera]Billie Boulett: Bye! We love you all!Dagny Rollins: Thanks for the memories! Bye![Rollins proceeds to cover the camera with her hand as the ending theme music kicks in and the credits roll]
- In a Credits Pushback at the end of the original broadcast of the Grand Finale of the 2017 series, there's this gem from CBBC presenters, Joe Tasker and Lauren Layfield, where they bid a farewell to the show and welcomes a new successor to the line-up. In addition, the series finale of "The Worst Witch" aired on the same day when "Malory Towers" premiered on CBBC for the first time, as a bittersweet Passing the Torch moment.Joe Tasker: Congratulations to Mildred on becoming Head Girl and a big thank you to the cast and crew of "The Worst Witch" for four magical years. If you missed the finale or enjoyed it that you want to see it again, you can rewatch it only on BBC iPlayer. But it's with bittersweet heart we say, "The Worst Witch", farewell, am I right, Lauren?Lauren Layfield: Yes, indeed. And up next is the premiere of our newest series, "Malory Towers", where we follow Darrell Rivers on her first day of term that she'll never forget. See you there!
- During the production of series 4 in 2019, Mildred's promotion to Head Girl at assembly was the last scene filmed for the series. There were many emotional heartwarming outcomes when the scene was filmed.
- The scene's Book Ends the first episode. In the first episode, Mildred makes a mistake on her first day as a new student, where she destroys the school in an accident. In the final episode, on her first day as Head Girl, Mildred accidentally reading her packing list reminded the audience that she is still herself no matter what position she's in. Bonus: This time, when she read her packing list as she began her speech, everyone, as well as Ethel and Miss Hardbroom, found it amusing and have a good laugh over it.
- After the final episode aired, Megan Hughes uploaded a Good-Times Montage of the cast and crew during the production of the final season on her Instagram page. It's bittersweet and emotional to see the girls of Cackles Academy one more time. The montage ends with the cast thanking the fans for everything and bids them farewell.
- The post-credits scene in the series finale of the 2017 series had one last scene with Mildred and Ethel outside the school, after assembly. Mildred thanks Ethel for her help in saving the school. Ethel responds by telling Mildred that she will do great as Head Girl. Mildred then offers Ethel to be her adviser, not because she's exceptional, but because she was a good friend, even if they don't see eye to eye. The series ends with Ethel accepting the position and as Mildred walks off to join the celebration, the final shot of the series has Ethel smiling in relief now that her conflict with Mildred is over. Bonus points for the light/sentimental music playing in the background.
- The series' final lines of the 2017 series, delivered by Mildred and Ethel. Awww...[Last lines]Mildred Hubble: I could use an advisor. Someone who knows everything there is to know about Cackles. And someone who is truly an exceptional witch.Ethel Hallow: But...Mildred Hubble: ...surely you'd prefer to have a friend take that role?[Ethel thinks for a moment and then smiles.]Ethel Hallow: Yes I would, Mildred Hubble.[Mildred smiles at Ethel and as she leaves to join the celebration, Ethel smiles at Mildred as she leaves, having finally found where she belongs.]
