Indeed, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the season, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks content; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even tone down her routine, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their parent does in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
