Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and delivering the odd random outburst. ("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 unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, word and glance will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that just what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of scrutiny she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her decision to modify or even tone down her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent does in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
