Indeed, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a yuletide episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of attention she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
