No considering the season, it's always open season for commentary on the Duchess of Sussex's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion was that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be dissected and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to change or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. There isn't the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.