Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be dissected and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she crafts is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her shtick, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
