Admittedly, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons apart. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan has become the quirky relative 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her persona, despite it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. There isn't national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
