Indeed, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to shreds. The general consensus was that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – offering unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 looks content; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to change or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
