It’s not unreasonable to think, if a show has bad ratings and even worse reviews, it most likely will not get a new season. But what happens when it involves members of the royal family?
According to the New York Post, Netflix has extended, but also restructured its deal with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex for future projects. Under this new agreement, Netflix will have the first opportunity to say yes or no to potential projects. Likewise, they are to receive less under the new deal.
Despite the rumored reduced payout and reported restrictions, this is an interesting move considering the reviews, both from critics and fans, that their shows received. Then, when you factor in the supposed ratings. There is nothing to suggest, Netflix should continue its partnership with the royal couple. Yet, here we are, with Netflix taking another shot.
Which begs the question. Why?
Are the reviews or ratings a true representation of the show’s quality, or is it unjustifiable hate?
To be honest, despite being a food lover, I didn’t watch With Love, Meghan simply because of the reviews. But for the sake of understanding why such mixed reviews, I decided it was time to do so.
My reaction to the show is mixed. On one hand, I can understand why some online chatter accuses the show of feeling disconnected from reality. In the first episode. Meghan prepares a salt mixture for her friend to use when taking a bath. It’s sweet and simple enough to follow and do at home for yourself or loved ones. But then she made a pasta dish with her friend that, in all fairness, should appeal to most people; it certainly appealed to me. Then candles made from the wax of honey she harvested, and a cake. Afterwards, they sit on her patio, the mountains in the foreground.
I also wanted to note something before I continue. As a former chef, I couldn’t help but notice her expensive tools. From her Shun knife, to a Le Creuset pot and even a copper pot hanging by a hook. For many, these items are a luxury.
Currently, the show stands at 38% with critics and 32% with fans on Rotten Tomatoes.
As for the ratings, it premiered to just over 5 million viewers, ranking 383rd overall.
My final impressions of the show’s first episode are that despite it feeling like it could be a successful show, something you might expect in the afternoon on one of the Big Three Television networks, ABC, CBS, or NBC, what we get instead is a show that feels disconnected from reality. Showing a famous person with money who fails to relate to the everyday person but tries desperately to do so.
Polo, another show from Prince Harry and Meghan was poorly received. I had intended to watch only the first episode, turned into watching three. I immediately became hooked on the lives of athletes playing a sport I’ve never shown interest in before. Polo, as I see it, belonged to the elite. Those who can afford to live in the Hamptons and have a second home on Cape Cod. I admittedly was ignorant in my thinking. Upon watching the show for the second time, I was left confused as to the negative reception it had received. 25% rating from fans.
What seemed to be the issue with With Love, Meghan seemed to plague Polo’s first season. Polo is an unequivocally a niche show that most will find pretentious, unappealing, and lacking the excitement that Formula 1: Drive to Survive or Full Swing delivered in its depiction of their respected sports and their athletes. What would have been nice to see was a show depicting the love of the sport, and possibly educating those who aren’t as familiar, but we got was a show depicting individuals with a ton of money, opportunity, and a selfish, all I care about is winning attitude that made you feel as though the purpose of the show was to flaunt their wealth with their little hobby.
Polo is not a hobby. It’s a sport that is incredibly impressive to watch, but outside of a few players, you are left with a bad taste in your mouth. There was a moment in the show that rightfully turned me off. It happened when one player claimed not to know his horses’ names. It seemed to be a complete disregard for the animal. Even though I continued watching the show, I began disliking the player so much, I rooted against him the remainder of the show.
Many of my feelings were the reasons many reviewers wrote on Rotten Tomatoes.
So again, why Netflix?
The numbers don’t add up, and the reviews are terrible.
The only sensible reason for continuing to extend their agreement is that they’re royalty. No matter what, people will always be interested in the royal family. With these shows in particular, it’s less about the quality or material and more about capitalizing on public fascination with the royal family.
Netflix has already had success with the royal family through its original series, The Crown, but looks to capitalize further. Since other members are unwilling to do so, why not take what you can get? Perhaps, With Love, Meghan season 2 will be far better than the first season, and any further projects. For now, all we can do is be puzzled by Netflix’s recent actions and wonder if they know something we don’t. Doubtful. But time will tell.
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