Yes, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (also known as a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and delivering the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but still appears relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she fastens her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
