On Thursday, the last Harry & Meghan episodes were released on Netflix.
Volume Two's (episodes four through six) punch was significantly bigger than Volume One.
A more thorough behind-the-scenes peek at the couple's lives was provided.
These were my main takeaways after watching television for over six hours.
1. One-sided yet evoking compassion
The documentary shows the couple's emotional toll they believe the media and the royal family inflicted on them.
They discuss Meghan's battle with suicidal ideation. Harry acknowledges that he "didn't handle it properly." Doria, Meghan's mother, sobs as she claims to learn that her daughter intended to commit herself "broke my heart."
They both agree that stress related to the legal battle against Associated Newspapers had a role in Meghan's loss.
They film the paparazzi who surround their Canadian house in helicopters, boats, and autos. They talk about their fears.
Most viewers couldn't help but feel a great deal of pity. Of course, the story is biased. Only their point of view is being presented.
To ensure that we are aware of their pain, the program's creators use music that is emotionally charged. (At one point, we notice that Roberta Flack's song Do What You Gotta Do has the line, "I loved you more than your relatives did.")
But although they may be manipulating us, their suffering is obvious.
2. Numerous unsolved questions
The assertion that there is racism in the royal family was one of the most devastating aspects of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
We still don't know who purportedly questioned how black Archie's complexion would be after six episodes of Harry & Meghan. Apart from using it as an illustration of how the Palace apparatus tried to discredit her, Meghan doesn't address the allegations of bullying made against her.
We also don't know what Prince William allegedly said to his brother during their meeting to discuss the future of Sandringham.
The Netflix cameras are reportedly shooting when Harry receives a text from his brother the day following the shocking Oprah appearance. His expression is strained as he continues, "I wish I knew what to do."
We wish we could read the text, but we are unable to do so. These shows still leave a lot of things unanswered.
3. A sad story
Anyone who saw the princes as youngsters accompanying their mother's casket to her burial would probably feel extremely saddened by the state of their relationship now.
Harry is considerably more openly critical of his brother in this second collection of episodes. He thinks that Prince William's office was involved in what he terms the "dirty game" of negative media briefings by the royal communications staff.
The boys had decided they would never do that after seeing how his father's team would brief against their mother, according to him. The message is that William placed himself above everyone else.
The pair's relationship is ruined, and it doesn't seem like things will get better any time soon.
4. A dark tale
This is their version of reality, not the whole truth. There are inconsistencies. We've heard rumors of envy because Meghan and Harry were dominating the news. According to our source, "they" began to brief against them. Additionally, we learn that the palace gave its approval to an entire Meghan and Harry documentary produced by ITV, in which she notably discussed her struggles.
Life is not binary, however.
The story may not be as straightforward as they believe it to be, but it's also easy to sense that their departure will be a significant loss for the royal family and Britain as a whole.
Who could ever forget the happiness that surrounded their union? The gospel choir in the Abbey, the perception that Meghan was working on a cookbook with the Grenfell neighborhood, and the opportunities that a biracial woman at the center of the royal family gave to Britain and the Commonwealth are just a few of the reasons why.
What transpired seemed like a lost chance to bring aristocracy into the 21st Century in a more representational way.
5. Is Harry's fate set in stone?
Episode 6 quotes Harry "Every single thing that occurred to us was inevitable. When you challenge the status quo, it is how they react."
Losing his mother, freefalling to dull the sorrow (while making some questionable decisions along the way), finding a lady he could project his mother onto, and a lot of counseling.
He believes that by defending Meghan, against the press, and the family, he is putting things right for his late mother.
He sees Meghan as Diana's successor.
And it's obvious that he's still processing the sorrow and rage Diana's passing triggered.
6. A message of love for California
We are shown the golden state in all its splendor, with its beaches, palm palms, and expansive sky (and a bit of yoga and meditation along the way).
It's tough to avoid drawing comparisons between it and the more formal life we've seen shown in the UK and the theme running through the series that racism had a significant role in what they experienced.
The target audience for this show is America, where the pair is more well-known.
In vibrant cinematic color, California and their lives are made clear. (And let's not forget that despite the personal cost, their lives are very wonderful — they have a large home, a sizable Netflix check, two adorable kids, and famous friends.)
They are emphasizing to Britain how warmly they are welcomed in the United States. In comparison, the UK seems more gloomy and constrained.
7. What chapter follows this one?
At one point, Harry expresses his belief that therapy would provide the solution by stating that "A great deal of suffering must occur and emerge for transformation to occur. You must complete the first chapter before we can go on to the next."
Perhaps it's an admission that the couple's relationship with the royal family will cease once his book is out.
The title of the book, Spare, is seen as a jab at aristocratic customs, namely the heir and the (slighted) spare.
However, when I watch these shows, I begin to question whether Harry is the fortunate one. He may go since he is the spare. He may pitch his narrative to Netflix as the spare. He has the option of taking the "freedom flight" he suggests.
To suggest that we should feel sorry for William and Kate is absurd. They live a life that the rest of us can only dream of in many respects.
But are they also confined to a narrative that they cannot alter? We are unlikely to hear their "truth," or their side of the story.
Harry and Meghan will put it behind them and begin the next phase of their life if they have any sense at all.
