Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a yuletide episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not precisely what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she creates is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even moderate her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are consumed by envy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a chocolate.
