Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
