Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
