Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's not doing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that just what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the degree of examination she has endured since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mother does in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.
