Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism 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' earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and contributing the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't the draft in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, no kid truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
