Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments apart. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that just what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mum does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
