Indeed, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's always open season 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 enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and contributing 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 seems pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has endured ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even moderate her routine, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
