Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly hunting season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – remain, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and supplying 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 unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that just what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of attention she has weathered since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even soften her persona, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.