Yes, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, 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 absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to modify or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
