Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view held that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and supplying the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but is that not just what Christmas is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of attention she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to change or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their mother expends in December. So you can find comfort by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
