With Love, Meghan review: You are neither fancy nor rich enough for Markle's show 

With Love, Meghan could have been a lovely show about cooking and lifestyle, but it becomes a window into Markle's pretentiousness. It can't do away with its elitism, the one thing that Markle stood against during her stint at the royal palace.

In Short

• Netflix released 'With Love, Meghan', an eight-episode series
• The focus of the show was on Meghan Markle's life, cooking, and 'joy'
• The series attempted to portray Markle's struggle and lifestyle, but felt superficial

Netflix premiered the highly-anticipated 'With Love, Meghan' on Wednesday. The eight-episode series gives a glimpse into the life of the Duchess of Sussex, and focusses on the 'joy' that she finds while cooking at her stunning Montecito house with a sprawling garden overlooking the sea. However, in its attempt to give a feel-good vibe, the series ends up being a dry promotional tool to establish Markle as this go-to housewife who loves feeding people, especially those who can talk her up on camera.

The series begins with Markle harvesting honey. But, nothing in the show is what it is. It has to have a subtle metaphor, something to learn from in life. Like harvesting honey becomes a "reminder to do what scares you sometimes", and a non-glazed, exposed cake becomes a reference to staying "beautiful inside". This is Meghan Markle's world, laced with prettiness, the most exquisite kind. But, it has just that. The prettiness, nothing more.

Ironically, the more you get into this world, the more you feel distant from it. This is not something a regular American woman can relate to, let alone an Indian one. It has to be essentially a cooking show, where Markle tells everyone how feeding people and caring for her family make her the happiest woman in the world. But, it fails to do exactly that. The 'good wife', 'good mother' image that she tries to build through the show, looks counterproductive to who she is.

Remember Markle is a woman who decided to step away from the royal family to establish her independent identity. She said she didn't get to make choices to lead her own life the way she wanted to. She said she was subjected to racism in the elite monarchy setup. She also said she had lost control over her own family because the decisions were being taken by others. How is she honouring this newfound life then? By cooking? By inviting guests to the show, who could talk about her brilliant fashion sense, and compliment her for her amazing flower-arranging skills?

In a few episodes, Markle manages to mention the many odd jobs that she did before finally making it to the screen. She talks about the little donut shop she worked at, and recalls the time when she had no agency backing her, and she would do her own makeup. All that is fine, because that helps you know her better. But, how many times would you mention it? No, you are not a struggler any more. You are the Duchess of Sussex. Your financial struggle ended ages ago.

In 'With Love, Meghan', Meghan Markle puts flowers on everything. The idea is to make everything look pretty. Even the most basic cucumber sandwich. But, hey, who puts flowers on an omelette? (No, we don't have the concept of Frittata in India, it is basically an ornamented omelette). Or a regular glazed donut? This is the kind of prettiness that gives you migraine. Our nahi-dekhne-ganne-ke-khet-moment!

To add to the cringe in the show, you get guests like Mindy Kaling being told to address Markle as the 'Duchess'. "It's so funny too, that you keep saying 'Meghan Markle'. You know I am Sussex now," she tells Kaling as they both prepare 'ladybug crostini' in episode 2. It could have been a simple and colourful sandwich for the kids, by the way, but then what's the point of being Meghan Markle with so much time at hand?

No, seriously, does this woman have some extra 12 hours a day or something? How is she managing to normalise preparing so much food with extra fanciness and 'finding joy' in everything? Even as a housewife, there's so much that a woman has to do. Why would you make a rainbow out of a fruit salad when you can really save some time and make a nice regular one? Equally tasty and nutritious.

The concept of 'With Love, Meghan' is not alien. It's a lifestyle show. It will be colourful and organised, and will attempt to make you feel good at the end of the day. But, this one is probably the only lifestyle show that makes you realise you are too poor and too simple to even aspire to be there.

Take, for example, the other celebrity-based lifestyle shows available on Netflix. There's 'The Home Edit', which has two friends visiting celebrity homes and helping them manage a cluttered space. There's a rhythm to how Joanna and Clea do things once they are in their organising mode. There's so much to see, be wowed at and learn from each episode, even if you don't own such large enough mansions to boast a messy space that needs fixing.

Another beautiful example is Marie Kondo's show, which features Kondo, the world-renowned Japanese professional organiser, teaching you to respect every corner of your house before de-cluttering it. We are not saying that every show has to teach you something, but let it at least leave you with some thoughts to linger on! The only thing that 'With Love, Meghan' does to you, is make you feel more inferior to Markle and her friends' lifestyle ways. And worst, it makes you feel that you are not doing enough for your family and children as a woman.

At one point in the show, the guests in Markle's kitchen seem to be only interested in hyping her. Abigail Spencer, Markle's 'Suits' co-star, and a close friend, asks her if she enjoys "cooking socially or alone". Her answer: "I think there are parts of it that can be really meditative."

In another episode, her friend appreciates her skills at creating a 'harvest basket' and how she always loves to spread happiness in other people's lives by gifting them this home-grown goodness. Not to mention the very awkward exchange between Kaling and Markle where the former tells her how she is a fan of her mix-and-match style, referring to how she pairs high-end fashion brands with something basic like Zara.

This is not the fault of the series. The problem lies in its intention. By all means, get us your fantastic recipes, show us the brilliant ways to cook the kind of food that will never become regular in our family kitchen, but don't dance on our heads holding your flashy ladle. The prettiness of 'With Love, Meghan' is so much in your face that it becomes ugly to look at. The sunshine is not calming any more and those home-made candles reek of haughtiness.

1.5 out of 5 stars to 'With Love, Meghan'