Indeed, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to pieces. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks content; she's causing a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that just what Yuletide is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
