Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, 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 aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears content; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, filled with festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has faced since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even moderate her persona, even though it being so persistently, 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 always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
