Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's always open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's first and second seasons apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so constantly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have the draft anymore, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the time and energy their mother does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
