Exhibits Like We Have been Liars Are Making an attempt to Persuade Me That Being Wealthy Is a Burden, and Sorry, That is Nonsense

The web has lengthy debated whether or not or not it’s higher to cry in a Rolls-Royce or chuckle on a bicycle and since I’ve carried out the latter, I’m able to expertise the previous. 

There are particular life experiences that it’s important to expertise for your self and I’m satisfied that being filthy wealthy is a type of for me. Nonetheless, because the high of the 12 months it looks as if there was a valiant effort from present creators to attempt to persuade us that having some huge cash isn’t all that it’s cracked as much as be. And whereas they are saying that cash doesn’t clear up all of your issues, I really feel in my coronary heart I would like to come back to that conclusion for myself. 

It first began with The Good Couple, which debuted on Netflix again in September 2024. The present adopted the Winburys as they ready to host their son’s marriage ceremony on their lavish Nantucket property. Issues started to go awry when a lifeless physique washed up on the shore, kicking off a hunt to search out the killer. Secrets and techniques had been uncovered, pregnant ladies turned suspects, infidelities had been revealed and the assassin is actually the final individual I anticipated it to be.

And whereas the present was all about this mysterious household’s tight maintain on a small city, I could not assist however discover simply how impeccable the aesthetics had been. It gave rich, polished, unapologetic luxurious and I used to be right here for it. I simply felt like, you understand, homicide apart, a day spent lounging by the pool, consuming recent fruit and taking within the summery ocean breeze would not be too shabby.

Then, in fact, got here White Lotus in February, and with it got here the chaotic Ratliffs, whose daughter was so burdened by her privileged life she wished to maneuver to Thailand and dwell in a Buddhist monastery, simply to really feel one thing. We proceeded to go on this eight-episode journey with Piper Ratliff (performed by Sarah Catherine Hook) solely to search out out that life is just not for her. It seems she enjoys natural meals, luxurious suites and all of the finer issues in life.

It is a second that the majority viewers discovered to be so humorous as a result of a mere few hours of the “uncomfortable life” her mother dreaded was sufficient to get Piper proper again consistent with her household’s values (and checking account).

And I assist it. In my eyes, Piper was an excellent individual going via an existential disaster and thought spirituality would give her the reply. And although her coronary heart was in the best place, it could be powerful for anybody to depart the luxurious White Lotus compound and never have second ideas nearly instantly.

Subsequent got here Sirens, one other Netflix providing that adopted Simone (performed by Milly Alcock), as she enmeshes herself in her wealthy boss’s life. Raised by a neglectful alcoholic father in Buffalo, N.Y. Simone takes a job because the assistant Michaela Kell, a rich philanthropist who’s on the high of the hierachy in her rich coastal enclave. Seeing the lifetime of opulence and luxurious Michaela leads, Simone leaves her previous behind and by no means returns, a lot to her sister’s chagrin. (Warning: spoilers within the subsequent two paragraphs!)

It feels just like the lesson Sirens was making an attempt to show us was that irrespective of how far you go and the way a lot you attempt to earn materials issues, your previous is your previous, and it must be handled. I agree with that. I do not, nevertheless, agree with the notion that having a bit of further money would not assist with that downside.

And whereas Simone’s new world comes its personal set of challenges, she at the very least acquired the life she wished. (Definitely, I do not condone going after married males — even when the person in query seems like Kevin Bacon and is tremendous, tremendous wealthy — however I do not blame Simone for eager to fake her darkish previous by no means occurred.) Will she be glad having knocked Michaela off her pedestal and ascending it herself? At the least she’ll be well-dressed whereas discovering out the reply to that query.

Now we have come to We Have been Liars, which was simply launched on Prime Video on June 18. We Have been Liars follows Cadence Sinclair as she recovers from an unnamed tragedy and tries to piece collectively the occasions that led her to lose her reminiscence.

We we see her seemingly put-together household collapse episode after episode — her mom who’s unable to deal with grief, amongst different issues; her grandfather a stoic businessman who runs the household with an iron fist; after which her aunts who’re strolling disasters themselves, to not point out her cousins who, liike her, try to navigate the chaotic circumstances all of them should develop up below.

What’s notably gratifying about this present for me is the truth that it proves my precise level: Life issues are life issues irrespective of who you’re. They’re only a wee bit simpler to get via whereas realizing you will get an excellent night time’s sleep in your palatial household property and loads of cash for retail remedy.

In fact, the purpose of those reveals is to spotlight the lure that’s being born to those rich households. In these circles, your title means all the pieces and appearances are likely to matter greater than emotional well-being and, certain, that is by no means good.

What I am saying, although, is that I have already got a robust basis for strong emotional intelligence. I perceive the worth of working exhausting and incomes your maintain, so for me, the objective is to cry over my issues whereas summering on a sprawling beachfront property in Nantucket. And no spooky, suspenseful and emotionally draining TV present starring Nicole Kidman goes to dissuade me from my dream.