Indeed, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view was that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, and supplying 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 unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, word and look will be picked apart and judged, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even moderate her persona, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you don't have to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a candy.
