Indeed, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have the draft in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a candy.
