Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is for? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she executes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will certainly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
