Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of examination she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
