Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum does in December. So you can take heart by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
