Admittedly, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's initial installments apart. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 appears happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not just what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
