Why Netflix’s ‘With Love, Meghan’ Left Viewers Cringing and Disappointed

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It’s not commonly believed that what the world needs at this moment is a traditional lifestyle show on Netflix hosted by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Surprisingly, Netflix did produce such a series titled “With Love, Meghan“. The vibrant cover, featuring a mix of lemon, honey, and floral elements, certainly stands out. Premiering on March 4, this eight-episode show is intended to be lighthearted and whimsical, reflecting the Duchess’s personality as she reveals her secrets to the world. However, in truth, it offers a unique take on what was initially expected.

Meghan isn’t just the public figure behind “With Love, Meghan,” as one might expect, but she also collaborated with Prince Harry’s Archwell Productions in creating the series, securing a $100 million deal. Despite the potential for success with a project like this, the Duchess seems to have missed the mark in terms of tone. Interestingly, “With Love, Meghan” has already been greenlit for a second season. Pause for a moment and consider that fact before we delve into the various reasons why Netflix’s new lifestyle show may be struggling.

Everything Feels Staged in ‘With Love, Meghan’

It’s not too unexpected that the royal lifestyle show appears staged; however, as you watch “With Love, Meghan,” it becomes evident that Meghan aimed to portray an authentic image. Yet, her conversations in the series seem carefully orchestrated and lack a genuine, spontaneous feel.

Title of the latest Netflix original TV show this month, “With Love, Meghan“, might lead one to believe that it focuses on the Duchess of Sussex and offers a personal, intimate glimpse into her life, making viewers feel connected to her and perceive her as relatable and humble. However, contrary to expectations, “With Love, Meghan” is far from being relatable and can even become grating at times.

In simpler terms, during one of her cooking sessions, Meghan Markle, also known as Meghan Sussex to one of her guests, Mindy Kaling, attempted to create a close relationship with her audience. However, it seemed unsuccessful from the start. The Netflix show begins with Meghan checking out her bees with an expert, but it’s revealed that she hadn’t been there in months. The location, a house in Montecito, was staged. Meghan prepared a meal for Mindy beforehand due to lack of preparation, and the conversations between them sound scripted rather than genuine.

Forced Originality in ‘With Love, Meghan’

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that everything in the show seems overly contrived, leading to an overall lack of freshness. From scribbling “Bready or not, here I crumb” on a chalkboard to uttering “My bacon brings all the boys to the yard” and countless annoying bee jokes, With Love, Meghan could be seen as a cringeworthy television production. From the moment the Duchess stepped onto the screen in her beekeeping suit, it was evident that Meghan aimed for something different. She sought to be unique, yet also desirable. In the first episode, Daniel Martin, Meghan’s long-time makeup artist and close friend, is introduced. The assumption, of course, was to get a glimpse into Meghan’s interactions with her friends, but it ended up falling flat.

In essence, their talks lacked depth and their affection seemed superficial at most. Making simple things like bath salts or candles seem complex, brewing ginger-lemon tea as if it’s a complicated process, and even making popcorn from dried corn doesn’t impress – this is something the Duchess tries to present as extraordinary. However, it only serves to emphasize how detached she is from everyday life. Her attempts at portraying herself as a working mother, even on lifestyle shows, unfortunately, just underscores this point further. Creating originality is an unattainable goal, and that’s a lesson Meghan Sussex should learn from her foray into the world of lifestyle programming.

‘With Love, Meghan’ Feels Outdated at Best

Beginning with the classic sounds of Netflix, a bee buzzing on a sunflower, followed by Meghan Markle in her beekeeping attire, seemingly immersed in the scene. A focus on busy bees and flowers in the backdrop as the title With Love, Meghan emerges. Yet, one might wonder, isn’t it a throwback to 2010? The initial moments of this Netflix series evoke a sense of time travel, but as episodes unfold, it becomes evident that With Love, Meghan is not merely a repeat from more than a decade past. It may seem new, yet the show doesn’t give off any such vibe. And the announcement of a second season for With Love, Meghan leaves one puzzled.

Beyond the unimpressive font choice labeled “With Love, Meghan“, the advice given in the program appears just as outdated. From filling a second bag with peanut butter pretzels (tied with a bow, of course), inventing a tool to inflate balloons for a DIY balloon arch (because no one would have ever thought of that), to scattering petals on every dish as if her life hinged upon it, Meghan seems determined to rediscover Albert Einstein’s secrets about common knowledge. Is there a chance you’ll discover something new by watching “With Love, Meghan“? Likely not. Does the Netflix series offer an opportunity to get acquainted with Meghan on a deeper level? Regrettably, no, despite the possible intention. “With Love, Meghan is now streaming on Netflix“.

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2025-03-12 03:02