Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's always hunting season for commentary 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 earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing 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 unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but is that not just what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she creates is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of examination she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her routine, even though it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mum expends 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 handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
