Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments apart. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – offering unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her persona, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children completely grasps the time and energy their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' 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.
