Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and delivering the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, word and glance will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but is that not exactly what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even soften her shtick, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their mum expends in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
