Harry & Meghan: Volume Two
The second half of Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan is here. Much like the first three episodes, Volume Two doesn’t contain any groundbreaking revelations that weren’t already public knowledge. What it does do, though, is substantially build upon its scathing critique of tabloid journalism and the deep-rooted issues of racism within British culture and history.
The series picks up where the last part left off. It’s the Sussexes’ wedding day: the streets are lined with cheering crowds and, despite previous harassment from the media, there is a tangible excitement that positive change is coming to bring the royals into the modern age. It would have been the perfect end to a fairytale love story, but this was only the start of the couple’s troubles. The harassment campaign from the media only intensified, and that was the couple’s sign that it was time to take a step back from the spotlight.
There’s a lot more ground to cover in the last episodes, which touch on some hard-hitting personal issues like Meghan’s miscarriage and the rift that formed between Harry and his brother. The soap opera-like drama of the couple’s story will undoubtedly be what will draw many viewers in to watch. However, this show’s primarily function is to highlight issues surrounding misinformation in the media alongside unethical journalistic practices. Whereas Volume One centred these talking points entirely around the tabloids, Volume Two expands its reach to incorporate digital and social media into the discussion. The news of social media being used to weaponise misinformation for profit may not be a surprise to most viewers, however Harry & Meghan cleverly uses this point to underscore the wider damage it can cause.
The drawback of having more to talk about is the second volume isn’t as tightly constructed as the previous episodes. There’s no main talking point for each episode here like before. Rather, the script rambles on, moving form one point to the next, which makes Volume Two feel a lot longer than it is.
Now that the series is complete, Harry & Meghan is the titular couple’s opportunity to go in-depth about the obstacles they’ve faced. The show is their love story, but it’s also an eye-opening lesson about the sleazy and dangerous synergy between tabloid journalism and the royal institution.
Andrew Murray
Harry & Meghan: Volume Two is released on Netflix on 15th December 2022.
Watch the trailer for Harry & Meghan: Volume Two here:
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