Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be analyzed and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to modify or even soften her routine, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mother puts in in December. So you can take heart by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
