Admittedly, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes apart. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, word and look will be analyzed and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but is that not just what Christmas is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of attention she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have national service in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child fully understands the dedication and labor their parent expends in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
