Million Dollar Secret Finale: Why Netflix Reality Shows Miss the Mark

I’m thoroughly enjoying the Netflix original reality show, “Million Dollar Secret,” where I find myself immersed in an intriguing mystery. Although it has its quirks and areas for improvement, it’s a captivating watch. If you haven’t heard of it yet, this series revolves around a group of people who are confined together while trying to unmask the one among them who claims to have a box with a million dollars – hence the title. It shares similarities with “The Traitors,” but there are noticeable differences that set it apart.

I have a preference for both “The Traitors” and “Million Dollar Secret,” but each one stands out for distinct reasons. In my opinion, Peacock handles one aspect significantly better than Netflix does. Regrettably, there’s a recurring flaw in “Million Dollar Secret,” which is often seen in other popular Netflix reality TV series as well.

Although Netflix series are widely appreciated by many, there’s still a point I’d like to see improved in shows like “Million Dollar Secret” and others.

Warning: Million Dollar Secret Season 1 spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Am Happy Cara Won, But I Wish We Got To Know Her Better

In the finale of the first season of “Million Dollar Secret”, Cara pockets the million dollars after successfully guarding her secret for just a few days. Compared to others who held onto the money for longer periods, this was a relatively straightforward task for Cara. To maintain the secrecy, she had to spin a web of lies. Ultimately, it’s revealed that she is a mastermind, sly, clever, and cunning, richly deserving her hard-earned win.

Instead, it would have been even more enjoyable if Cara had showcased these traits more frequently throughout the series of Million Dollar Secret. While Cara isn’t completely unnoticed on the show, we do gain insights into her life, such as her heart-wrenching tale about her brother. We also become aware of her close relationships with individuals like Sam and, to a lesser extent, Corey.

Throughout the entire season, Cara participated in the game, but it wasn’t until the last few episodes that she truly stepped into the limelight, with Sam, Sydnee, Lauren, and Chris being given more prominent roles as main characters. Given their captivating and engaging storylines throughout Million Dollar Secret, this is understandable. However, it seems like the editors and producers didn’t invest enough time in setting up Cara’s eventual victory, which might have been more impactful for viewers.

It seemed like Cara’s prominence in the series was unexpected, considering she had a supporting role for most of the season despite being the ultimate winner. I found myself yearning to learn more about her character to fully appreciate her victory. Her final episodes were impressive, making me wonder how much more captivating they could have been if we’d seen more of her strategic moves and backstory.

Netflix Burying The Lead Seems To Be A Pattern

Cara’s narrative absence aligns perfectly with the Netflix reality TV series formula. One aspect I appreciated in Squid Game: The Challenge is its lack of a central character. You could track a competitor throughout the entire season, only for them to be eliminated unexpectedly and without much fanfare. This unpredictability is one of the show’s charms, as you’ll never guess the winner since they might not appear until the late stages of the competition.

In “Squid Game: The Challenge,” the unpredictable nature of the pattern fits well because the series is centered around unexpected events. This pattern aligns with the original series as well. Yet, this strategy of not emphasizing the ultimate winner or winners doesn’t work for shows like “Million Dollar Secret” and other Netflix productions. Similarly, in “Perfect Match” Season 2 and “The Mole” Season 1, both Netflix reality competition shows I have observed, the winners or significant characters (like the mole) were not typically the main focus throughout most of the season.

Contrary to certain Netflix American reality shows, series like “Physical: 100” and “The Devil’s Plan,” among Netflix’s international offerings, seem to avoid this particular issue. In fact, they might even excel as reality TV shows because of it, suggesting that this problem may be specific to some Netflix American reality shows.

It’s Why I Suspected Cara Won Million Dollar Secret

Due to my familiarity with the predictable structure of Netflix reality TV shows, it was clear that Cara would emerge victorious, and I had even suspected this before the latest episode due to her relatively low profile. Cara’s presence on Million Dollar Secret was noticeable, but not nearly as prominent as one would expect to truly stir our emotions for or against her.

If Netflix consistently neglects focusing heavily on potential winners until the final episodes, it’ll be evident who is likely to emerge victorious in each series.

I Prefer When We Get More Of A Hero’s Journey Early On Reality TV Shows

As a dedicated fan of reality TV, I understand that shows often highlight contestants with the most drama or compelling narratives, possibly because Cara may not have been providing as much material as others. Keep in mind, we’re dealing with television here, and entertainment is always top priority. However, other reality series like Survivor, The Traitors, Big Brother, and their counterparts manage to guide the contestants towards the ultimate winner, even when predicting the victor isn’t straightforward.

In some cases, producers and editors might adjust their strategy during the season to focus on contestants who have a better chance of winning, allowing viewers to either support or criticize them by the end. I appreciate how these programs emphasize the winner’s journey as it piques our interest from the beginning, making us invest in their story. I was pleased that Cara won because she appears to be a kind individual who deserved it. However, my excitement wasn’t as high because her Million Dollar Secret storyline wasn’t developed enough early on for me to cheer her on from the start.

I Hope Netflix Figures Out How To Balance Surprising Us With The Winner And Letting Us Get To Know Them

In Squid Game: The Challenge, the editing technique concealing the winner’s identity is effective due to the show’s unique premise and narrative flow. Yet, this method may not be as successful on other series, as it can lead to an unsatisfying ending. Furthermore, it doesn’t provoke mass outrage or celebratory events like a parade. The key lies in understanding when and how to employ such editing techniques to maximize the impact of revealing the winner at crucial moments.

Netflix has been involved in reality TV for some time now, yet it remains fresh and dynamic enough that it’s still discovering its unique narrative style. Consequently, the way stories are told on Netflix might keep changing.

I Could Understand Sydnee’s Frustration With Cara Possibly Winning

Since Cara wasn’t as visibly active throughout the season compared to Sydnee and others, it’s not hard to see why Sydnee might have felt frustrated because Cara seemed to coast towards the finale, while Sydnee had been fighting tooth and nail to avoid elimination all along.

In summary, while we acknowledge some cunning strategies from her, such as fabricating stories about her siblings, had we witnessed more of these shrewd actions, our excitement for her victory would have been amplified even further. The narrative, however, portrayed Cara in a supporting role until the climax. Although I didn’t concur with Sydnee’s opinion that Cara wasn’t deserving of the win due to lack of effort, it’s understandable why others might share this viewpoint.

Fingers crossed, when Million Dollar Secret comes back on Netflix, we’ll have a chance to delve deeper into the winner’s background before the final episode. Right now, Million Dollar Secret is one of the top Netflix series to immerse yourself in.

Stream Million Dollar Secret on Netflix.

2025-04-16 18:08