Admittedly, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons apart. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has endured since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
