Indeed, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be dissected and judged, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain 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 still not buying her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished the draft in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother does in December. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
