Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering 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 hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to shreds. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (also known as a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mum expends in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
