Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to modify or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have national service in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
