Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be dissected and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have national service these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
