Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to modify or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
