Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's always hunting season for scrutiny 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 series' earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – remain, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not just what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of attention she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the time and energy their parent does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
