Admittedly, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that just what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of attention she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her unwillingness to modify or even tone down her persona, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.