Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she is back for another round with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unasked-for guidance, and supplying 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and look will be analyzed and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of attention she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to alter or even moderate her shtick, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
