Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to shreds. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even soften her shtick, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
