Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even moderate her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
