Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism 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 gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not just what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
