Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not just what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her routine, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a office worker, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent puts in in December. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
