Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred 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 yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. We don't have the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
