No concerned with the season, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, utterance and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her unwillingness to modify or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have the draft 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 decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mum does in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in trading and market research, specializing in technical analysis and risk management.