Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and look will be picked apart and judged, but still appears unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the wreath she makes is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even moderate her routine, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.