Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be analyzed and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of attention she has endured since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to change or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the dedication and labor their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
