Indeed, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and delivering the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of attention she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable 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 reminder that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished the draft in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
