Indeed, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering unasked-for guidance, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her routine, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
