Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, 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 Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even 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 creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to modify or even moderate her persona, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a royal or a office worker, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their parent does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.