Yes, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that just what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to alter or even tone down her persona, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
