With Love, Meghan Review: I Wish Meghan Markle's New Netflix Show Was As Authentic & Imperfect As It Wanted To Be
With Love, Meghan presents an aesthetically delightful lifestyle show with guidance on hosting, but it couldn't be more out of touch and bizarre. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex — as she goes by in the credits — attempts to display a sense of homeliness, warmth, comfort, and peace, but it's difficult to disregard the fact that none of this is normal. As a result, the series comes across as a wealthy socialite playing house, while the world is forced to stand by and watch how the other half lives.
In preparation for setting up a new business, the nature of which is never explicitly mentioned in the series, Meghan Markle entertains friends, acquaintances, and idols on eight separate occasions. With each new guest, Meghan seeks to find ways to elevate their experience, beautify her surroundings, and provide the guests with lessons about flower arrangements, candle-making, cooking, gift wrapping, and more. All while effortlessly exhibiting these skills in an unencumbered, relaxed, and playful manner. The issue is that everything is surreal.
With Love, Meghan Aims For Authenticity While Putting On A Facade
In the very first episode, Markle acknowledges the house the show is being shot is not her own. That isn't an issue in and of itself. Why invite a camera crew into your private space and disrupt your family's privacy? However, the show continually pushes the idea of real, authentic, and genuine experiences. However, this inauthentic presentation goes deeper: from expressions of endearment, friendship, and praise to the concept that Meghan is constantly entertaining and hanging out with these friends, while many acknowledge not seeing each other for some time or knowing Meghan on a personal level.
It's evident from the nature of each episode that Markle has no concept of how ordinary people may have to approach these events with some faint semblance of frugality.
Then, With Love, Meghan is designed as a sort of how-to for preparing to host parties, dinners, and general gatherings. But it's evident from the nature of each episode that Markle has no concept of how ordinary people may have to approach these events with some faint semblance of frugality. Even for ambitious party planners, it's hard to imagine they would first spend hundreds of dollars on flower arrangements before spending anything on the actual food for the gathering. Yet, that is exactly how Markle approaches these events, with an effort to feed the eyes before the belly.
Again, this is not inherently wrong, though it does highlight a detachment from reality. As pointed out by some of Markle's guests, the people she is attempting to teach these lessons to are of a certain status who pay professionals to come and do it for them. Meanwhile, a savvy enthusiast watching Markle's Netflix series will likely be deeply disappointed by the lack of useful guidance. Some recipes may be worth trying, but even in these, there are edible flower pieces used as a way to decorate them that, while aesthetically pleasant, are impractical and a needless additional expense.
Meghan Markle's Hosting Leans Hard Into The Visuals At Any Cost
There is no denying that, visually, With Love, Meghan is delightful. It's bright, warm, and inviting. However, as soon as the guest arrives, and Markle delivers her insights, things start to unwind. For some guests, like Mindy Kaling and Roy Choi, the contrast between them and Markle is illuminating, as these down-to-earth individuals contrast with the former royal to such an extent that it's bizarre to see them hanging out together. Then, when Meghan's other friends appear, conversations dissolve into platitudes and niceties that feel hollow.
The result is not aspirational; it's grating and tiresome, as pleasant ideas for hosting are packaged with unattainable and frankly impractical additions.
I believe Markle has a genuine enthusiasm and passion for cooking. I even believe that passion extends to hosting, feeding others, and spoiling friends. The issue is that she is not a relatable figure, and her lived experience places her in a completely different category to the potential audience tuning in to watch on Netflix. The result is not aspirational; it's grating and tiresome, as pleasant ideas for hosting are packaged with unattainable and frankly impractical additions.
The show is farcical in nature. With Love, Meghan espouses something the majority of viewers will feel alienated from while trying to present itself as relevant and important. But the show isn't important. Instead of inspiring, it serves as a way to prop up Markle, though the series fails to do that well. The outcome is a useless, often lifeless show that runs skin deep. With Love, Meghanis not worth the time it takes to watch, which would be better spent following practical short tutorials on YouTube from just about anyone.
Meghan Markle invites viewers into her Montecito home, sharing cooking, gardening, and lifestyle tips alongside celebrity guests like Mindy Kaling and Roy Choi. The series emphasizes joy over perfection, offering intimate glimpses into Meghan's personal passions and hosting skills.
- Cast
- Meghan Markle
- The show is beautiful, with gorgeous aesthethics throughout.
- Beauty runs skin deep as the show feels hollow and inauthentic.
- The dissonance between the "simple" crafts and the exorbitant costs is palpable.
- The series is an affront to it's intended audience.
