Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of attention she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to change or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. There isn't national service in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
