Co-produced by Oprah and Prince Harry, The Me You Can’t See is a documentary series comprised of hour-long episodes that go into intimate detail about their struggles with mental health and just how universal these feelings of helplessness and sadness are. This series is important, personal, and now available to stream on Apple TV+.
Expression
This is by far one of the most heartfelt and vulnerable series that is currently streaming on platforms today. I couldn’t get through the first episode without feeling my throat start to tighten up and my eyes start to water from the pure courage it took to lay their emotions bare (and inviting criticism in the process). Seeing how some of the most powerful people in entertainment put on brave faces and pretend like everything’s ok, when in reality they’re struggling to make it through the day, is heartbreaking. The series also shares the personal journeys of other public figures, including Lady Gaga, with more to be included throughout the various episodes.
Expression: 5 out of 5 stars
Daring
This series is one that needed to be made; it’s only a shame that it took until now to do so. The topic of mental health has taken on more importance over the last year when isolation and loneliness was universally felt at an all-time high. Throughout their candid sit down conversation, Prince Harry and Oprah explain how 2020 put a mirror in front of the grief that was already present in so many people, and their goal for the series is to shine a light on the “invisible injury” that is mental health.
Daring: 4 out of 5 stars
Craft
Technically speaking, The Me You Can’t See is a very traditional docu-series and visually, it can almost be confused for a 20/20 special. It relies heavily on the “talking heads” style of interview but when the talking heads are Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey, we don’t mind so much. The first episode is broken up into five chapters that highlight different people dealing with their own mental health struggles, none of which are alike. It’s a safe narrative structure, the driving force here isn’t the cinematic achievements but they stories they propel.
Craft: 2 out of 5 stars
Impact
Everyone who connects to this series in one way or another should feel comforted by the fact that we are all kindred spirits with struggles and insecurities of our own. Acting as a starting point towards collective healing and understanding, The Me You Can’t See proves that everyone is carrying some sort of emotional baggage that goes undetected. We shouldn’t go through life alone and with The Me You Can’t See, now we don’t have to.
Impact: 3 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
Whether or not you thought Oprah’s March tell-all interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was eye-opening (or eye-rolling), there is more to be discovered in their latest TV collaboration that aims to show the softer, more vulnerable side of these media moguls. It’s a series that should be embraced with an open mind and free of preconceived judgements.
Conclusion: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Me You Can’t See is now streaming on Apple TV+.
