Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but still appears relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. The reason is, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but is that not just what Christmas is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the intensity of attention she has faced since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to change or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mum expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining 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, instead of a chocolate.
