Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother expends in December. So you can console yourself by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
