Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the season, it's always open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that just what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of attention she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to alter or even soften her routine, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother does in the holiday season. So you can take heart by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
