Yes, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be dissected and criticised, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – including the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
