Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mother puts in in December. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a candy.
