Indeed, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – remain, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and delivering 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
