Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to alter or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining 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 sweet treat.