Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's always fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a candy.
