Indeed, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's initial installments to pieces. The general consensus was that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a Christmas special). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of examination she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a candy.
