IT WAS expected to be a devastating zinger of a show, with transatlantic TV bombs hurled in a fresh declaration of war on the royal family - and there certainly were eyebrow-raising moments in Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary.
But what stood out above all else wasn't revenge and betrayal of the royals - instead the overwhelming theme was one of love.
Finally, here were the Sussexes, telling their story in their own words, interspersed with many never-before-seen pictures documenting their early romance and their transition to family life.
And there's no denying it: they're clearly crazy about each other.
Prince Harry, long tortured by the trauma of his past, looks happier than he has in years warmer, more relaxed, smiling easily, laughing often, in his element as a husband and family man. Meghan is all sunshine smiles and loving looks, a wife is still smitten with her guy.
The documentary, released in two volumes of three one-hour episodes each, is Harry and Meghan doing what they've long wanted to do: tell their "truth".
Which they do, of course, unpacking many raw, complex and sensitive issu that are bound to have ramifications for the future. But it's the story of their relationship that's the main takeaway from all this.
Even viewers jaded from the ongoing narrative of the Sussexes being hellbent on destroying the royal family found themselves being swept up in the romance.
Netflix reportedly paid $100 million (R1,7 billion) for them to dig deep and tell their "truth" - but the streamer could've paid that money for a work of fiction and it wouldn't have had the same impact.
In fact, if they'd taken the bones of the Sussexes' tale and transferred it into a mini-series, it would've looked downright far-fetched.
Denne historien er fra 22 December 2022-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra 22 December 2022-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life