Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – 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.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
