Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' earlier episodes apart. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and contributing the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her persona, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. We don't have national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their parent does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
