Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary 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 prevailing view held that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's causing any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be analyzed and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to alter or even soften her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the dedication and labor their mum does in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a chocolate.
