Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's initial installments apart. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mum does in December. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a candy.
