Indeed, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's always hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of attention she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her persona, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
