Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, word and gaze will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even tone down her persona, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother does in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
