Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism 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 series' initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with longing about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in December. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
