Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (or a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened 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, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of attention she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even tone down her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can console yourself 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 handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.
