The second part of the documentation, already available on the platform, had a much greater impact than the first.
The final episodes of the documentary about Harry & Meghan aired on Netflix on Thursday (12/15).
The second part of the series (episodes four through six) had a much greater impact than the first.
The viewer gets a deeper look behind the scenes of the life of the couple.
After almost six hours in front of the television my conclusion:
1. Onesided, but in solidarity
The show reveals the emotional toll the couple has taken at the hands of the press and the royal family.
They talk about Meghan’s struggle with suicidal thoughts. Harry admits he “didn’t handle it well”. Meghan’s mother Doria breaks down in tears as she says it “broke my heart” to hear her daughter attempted suicide.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share their belief that Meghan’s miscarriage was caused by stress resulting from the Associated Newspapers court case.
The two film to capture the paparazzi in helicopters, boats and cars around their home in Canada. They discuss how they were afraid.
Most viewers can’t help but be sympathetic. Of course, the narrative is onesided. We only listen to their perspective.
The show’s creators opt for an emotionally charged soundtrack to ensure people understand their plight. (At one point we intentionally hear the lyrics of the song Do What You Gotta Do by Roberta Flack saying “I loved you better than your own relatives”, which can be translated as “I loved you more than your own family”) .
But while we may be manipulated, her pain is clear.
2. Lots of unanswered questions
One of the most biased parts of the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey was the allegations of racism within the royal family.
After six episodes of Harry & Meghan, we still don’t know who allegedly questioned how dark Archie’s skin would be. Meghan is only addressing the bullying allegations against her as an example of how the palace machinery has worked to vilify her.
We also don’t know what Prince William allegedly yelled at his brother in Sandringham, the royal estate of Norfolk, when they met to discuss the couple’s future.
The day after Oprah’s bombshell interview, Netflix cameras appear to be rolling when Harry receives a text message from his brother.
“I wish I knew what to do,” he says, looking tense.
We’d like to know what the message said, but we don’t know. The series leaves a lot up in the air.
3. A tragic story
Anyone who saw the princes as children walking behind their mother’s coffin on their way to the funeral will probably be deeply saddened that their relationship is so strained now.
In this second part of the series, Harry criticizes his brother much more directly. He believes what he calls the “foul play” of negative briefings that would be leaked by royal communications teams to members of the press has spread to Prince William’s office.
He says when the boys saw the father’s team give information to harm their mother, they agreed they would never do it. The implication is that William put his own interests above all else.
The two’s relationship has broken down — and it doesn’t look like things are going to get any better any time soon.
4. The story is more complicated, but…
That is their “truth”, not the whole truth. There are contradictions. We heard there was jealousy that Meghan and Harry made all the headlines. We are told that “they” have started giving out information to harm them. Then we also heard that the palace had approved an entire documentary about Meghan and Harry, made by British television network ITV, in which they shared their suffering.
But life is not binary.
One can feel that the narrative isn’t as straightforward as they make it out to be, while also feeling that their departure is a great loss to the royal family and to Britain as a whole.
Who doesn’t remember the joy felt by so many at the couple’s union? The gospel choir at the abbey, the vision of Meghan working to create a cookbook with the community of Grenfell (a building in London destroyed by a fire that killed 72 people), the possibilities, a mixedrace woman the royal family offered Britain and the Commonwealth to have at heart.
What happened may seem like a missed opportunity for the royals to step into a more representative 21st century.
5. Was it always Harry’s destiny?
In Episode 6, Harry says, “Whatever happened to us would always happen to us. If you tell the truth to those in power, this is how they react.”
But his story began much earlier. Losing his mother, freefalling presumably to ease the pain (making some shady decisions along the way), finding a woman to project the lost mother onto — and a whole lot of therapy.
Perhaps Harry’s “journey” would always end here in California, separated from his family and licking wounds that took decades to form.
He clearly feels that by defending Meghan, against the tabloids, against family, he is righting wrongs on behalf of his dead mother.
In his eyes, Meghan is Diana’s heiress. Discussing how difficult it is for them when they’ve portrayed elderly royals in glittery capes in the press (before, they say, they’re thrown to the wolves), the couple says, “My mum left it the same.”
Regardless of whether he was right or not, Meghan filled the void left by her mother. And he’s clearly still grappling with the pain and anger that Diana’s death caused.
6. A declaration of love to California
We get to know the socalled “Golden State” in all its glory beaches, palm trees, skylines (and a bit of yoga and meditation along the way).
It’s impossible not to contrast with the more formal life we see in Britain, as well as the series’ common thread that racism was a major factor in what they went through.
This show is geared towards the US, where the couple is most popular.
California and her life are revealed in cinematic colour. (And let’s not forget that regardless of the personal expense, her life is pretty good — a big house, a fat Netflix check, two adorable kids, famous friends.)
They are sending a clear message to the UK about the warm welcome they have received in the US. Great Britain, on the other hand, appears grayer and less free.
7. What will the next chapter be?
At one point Harry says as a sign that he has put all his faith in therapy in response that “a lot of pain has to happen and surface for anything to change. In order for us to continue, you must complete the first chapter to go to the next chapter”.
Perhaps it’s a confirmation that the couple’s history with the royal family will come to an end after the release of their memoir.
The book is called Spare (O que Sobra, no Brasil), a title that has been seen as a provocation to aristocratic protocol, the heir, and the (despised) spare or reserve (possible translations for the word ‘spare’).
But watching the series makes me wonder if Harry is the lucky one. As a substitute, he can go, break the connection. As a substitute, he can sell his story to Netflix. He can choose to embark on the “Flight of Freedom” he has described.
It’s ridiculous to say we should feel sorry for William and Kate. In many ways, they have a golden life that the rest of us can only dream of.
But are they too caught up in a story they can’t change? It is unlikely that we will hear her “truth”, her side.
In the meantime, if Harry and Meghan have any common sense, they will put this behind them and move on to the next chapter of their lives.