Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's constantly open season for scrutiny 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 gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and supplying 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not just what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss 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 from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
