Admittedly, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be dissected and criticised, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that just what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of attention she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
