Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's always fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears content; she's causing any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – 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 folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured ever since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
