Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a candy.
