Yes, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but set of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing 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 not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, few children fully understands the time and energy their parent expends in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
