Admittedly, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she seems pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. We don't have national service these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their parent does in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
