Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's always open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – providing 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be analyzed and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has faced since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't the draft in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their mother does in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
