Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and contributing 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even 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 creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their parent expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
