Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's always open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the wreath she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent does in December. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
