Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, filled with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their parent does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
