Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a Christmas special). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 strangely comforting. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what the holiday season is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of attention she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. There isn't 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 overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
