Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – 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 genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of examination she has endured since she met Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their parent expends in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
