We already know critics have slammed it, and reviews have been nothing short of brutal. In upcoming videos, I’ll be discussing the PR missteps, the most cringe-worthy moments, and how this series is affecting Meghan’s public image. But for now, I thought it would be interesting to analyze it from a different perspective—through the lens of a homemaker, a mom, and a home cook.
From childhood, I was always drawn to the domestic arts—cooking, cleaning, organizing, and creating a warm home environment. So naturally, when I heard about Meghan’s show, which revolves around similar themes, I was intrigued. Who was her target audience? It seemed to be aimed at the ultra-wealthy in Montecito, but perhaps she was also trying to appeal to those genuinely interested in homemaking, hosting, and cooking. If that was the case, let’s see if she delivered anything of value.
Since I don’t have the time to binge-watch the entire series in one sitting (nor the patience, quite frankly), I’ll be rolling out episode recaps gradually. But let’s get into episode one, where Meghan starts off by making bath salts and bath tea bags. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, things quickly go off the rails.
Meghan begins by mixing Epsom salt, pink Himalayan salt, and oils in a bowl with a wooden spoon. So far, so good. But then she tries to fill a large jar and realizes she made too little. Instead of making a second batch properly, she just dumps in more Epsom and pink salt without mixing, skipping the oil entirely. The result? A haphazard, half-hearted attempt that looked amateur at best.
Why would you cut corners when you’re being filmed for a professionally produced show? This is your one shot to prove yourself in this space, and you can’t even properly mix bath salts? It’s just a strange choice that reflects the overall tone of the series—rushed, sloppy, and lacking in authenticity.
Throughout the episode, Meghan repeatedly emphasizes how everything she does is a reflection of herself. Instead of framing her efforts around making others feel welcome, she constantly highlights how she expresses love and care through these small acts. A simple shift in phrasing—like focusing on how her guests might feel comfortable—would have made a world of difference. But instead, we get a running commentary of “Look what I made! Look what I did!”
This pattern continues when she serves her guest, makeup artist Daniel Martin, a snack tray. He tries her homemade jam, but before he can even react, she declares, “It’s good!”—robbing him of the chance to form his own opinion. Similarly, when she prepares a snack tray with microwave popcorn and bagged peanut butter pretzels, she re-bags the pretzels into a plastic bag (why?) and then dramatically states, “Since we put all our effort into making that [popcorn], we’ll just use these pretzels.”
Effort? For microwaved popcorn? If that’s her definition of effort, this series is doomed.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the episode is Meghan’s complete lack of kitchen skills. She clumsily chops garlic and chard in a way that looks downright dangerous. Now, there’s nothing wrong with not being a culinary expert, but when you’re producing a show that involves cooking, at least demonstrate some level of competence. Watching someone fumble through basic tasks isn’t entertaining—it’s irritating.
Later, she makes a pasta dish with Daniel and casually mentions that her kids don’t eat “heaps of noodles,” as if that would be some kind of tragedy. It almost felt like a performative moment meant to appease the health-conscious Montecito moms who might be watching. But instead of using this moment to share what she does feed her kids, she lets the opportunity slip away.
Perhaps the biggest issue with the show is the complete lack of engaging conversation. There’s no depth, no storytelling, no real insights—just Meghan reminiscing about the past and redirecting every topic back to herself. At one point, Daniel brings up The Tig, Meghan’s now-defunct lifestyle blog, and instead of letting him discuss his role as the beauty editor, she immediately shifts the focus back to herself. The conversation dies right there.
Compare this to Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, a show directed by the same filmmaker. Bourdain’s series was immersive, dynamic, and full of insightful discussions about food, culture, and life experiences. Meghan’s show, on the other hand, is the opposite—self-indulgent, surface-level, and lacking any compelling narrative.
At the end of the day, Meghan Markle’s Netflix series feels like an overly polished, yet completely uninspired vanity project. There’s no real expertise, no engaging conversations, and no unique perspective that makes it worth watching. If this was meant to be her grand reintroduction into the world of lifestyle content, it falls flat.
The only saving grace? The cinematography. The director did a fantastic job making the show look visually appealing. But even the best lighting and angles can’t mask the fact that this series is empty at its core.
