Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting 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 eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – remain, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering the odd random outburst. ("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 strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
