Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's first and second seasons apart. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent puts in in December. So you can find comfort by picturing 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.
