Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's always open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with festive joy and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their mum expends in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
