Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of examination she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to change or even tone down her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have national service in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in December. So you can take heart by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
