Admittedly, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's causing any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to modify or even tone down her persona, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum does in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
