Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments apart. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a Christmas special). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and contributing the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced since she met Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even tone down her routine, even though it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
