Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary 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 first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be picked apart and judged, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
