Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.

No matter the time of year, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.

Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.

By this point, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's causing any harm.

She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.

Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.

Whatever she attempts, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?

Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her persona, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.

If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.