Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 company is customary and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a candy.
