When Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle show, “With Love, Meghan,” premiered on Netflix last week, the reactions were swift… and negative.

“‘With Love, Meghan’ Is a Montecito Ego Trip Not Worth Taking,” declared Variety. “Meghan Markle Pioneers New Frontiers in Unrelatability,” said Vulture. The Guardian called the show “toe-curlingly unlovable TV.” Audience reactions were largely even less charitable (and considerably more racist) than the critical ones.

These are big feelings elicited by a show that can best be described as placid ASMR; the kind of television programming perfect for half-watching at the nail salon or while you’re doing laundry. “With Love, Meghan” is full of color-coordinated platters, celebrity cameos, Montecito kitchen-core, wooden monologues, a few delicious-sounding simple recipes, and SO MANY FLOWER SPRINKLES. The content is a little boring, wholly inoffensive, and falls soundly in the grand tradition of domestic arts lifestyle content targeted towards women. So why the collective freakout instead of a collective yawn?

We had to dig through the discourse and sort out what it is about Meghan Markle Sussex that makes everyone lose their minds. Hope you enjoy! Xo

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