Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's initial installments apart. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, utterance and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift 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 holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a candy.
