Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to modify or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
