Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons apart. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering the odd random outburst. ("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 looks pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and look will be dissected and criticised, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not just what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you don't have to. There isn't national service these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
