Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments apart. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, 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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that just what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has endured from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even soften her routine, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the time and energy their mother does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.