Admittedly, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to shreds. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's not doing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be analyzed and judged, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in December. So you can find comfort by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
