Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the program's initial installments to pieces. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she seems content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even tone down her persona, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
