Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like 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 looks pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her routine, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
