Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's always open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' earlier episodes apart. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – remain, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and look will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not just what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", 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 charmed, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't 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 picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mum does in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
