Indeed, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but set of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – dispensing 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their mother does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
