Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's always open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, and delivering 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Christmas is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her persona, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mother puts in in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
