Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, 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 apart. The prevailing view held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, word and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping 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 intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her decision to change or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent does in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
