Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription these days, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
