Yes, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – offering unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not just what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
