Yes, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the program's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan is like 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's not doing any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, word and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but isn't that just what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a chocolate.
