Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's always fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping 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, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you aren't required 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 willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child fully understands the dedication and labor their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a chocolate.
