No concerned with the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The prevailing view held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, 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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that exactly what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her shtick, even though it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their mum puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
