Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she seems content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically shop-bought.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to alter or even soften her persona, even though it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. There isn't the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum puts in in December. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
