Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex'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 general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, word and gaze will be analyzed and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including 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 wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even soften her routine, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their parent does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
