Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus was that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent precisely what the holiday season is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. There isn't the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum does in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
