Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unasked-for guidance, and delivering the occasional strange exclamation. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to change or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the time and energy their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
