Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to pieces. The general consensus was that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a Christmas special). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, and contributing the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 looks pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what the holiday season is about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
