Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and supplying 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but even so, after the level of attention she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their parent puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
