Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually fair game 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 eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view seemed to be a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to modify or even moderate her persona, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mum puts in in December. 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 handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.
