Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's always fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and delivering the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has faced since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to modify or even moderate her routine, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
