Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and look will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her persona, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, hardly any child completely grasps the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing 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, in place of a sweet treat.
