Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the program's first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but is that not just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has endured since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to alter or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
