Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, word and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of examination she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a chocolate.
