Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and look will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum does in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
