Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the program's earlier episodes apart. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unasked-for guidance, 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and gaze will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her decision to change or even tone down her routine, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a chocolate.
