Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas 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" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and delivering 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 company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be dissected and criticised, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to modify or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the time and energy their mum expends in December. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a chocolate.
