Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unasked-for guidance, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be analyzed and criticised, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of attention she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
