Yes, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 causing any harm.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she executes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will always know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
