Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly open 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 initial installments to pieces. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – remain, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she fastens her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to change or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know our position 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. The UK has abolished national service these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
