Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she seems content; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, word and look will be dissected and criticised, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she executes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the intensity of attention she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
