Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing 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 strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a reminder that will surely come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.