Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a Christmas special). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. The reason is, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she executes with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
