Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, 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 – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even moderate her persona, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent expends in December. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
