Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan has become the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent just what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of attention she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her persona, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are overcome with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
