Yes, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
