Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mother does in December. So you can find comfort by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
