Indeed, it's Packed with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and supplying 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and look will be picked apart and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", 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 convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
