Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
