Admittedly, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the series' earlier episodes to shreds. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing random tips, 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what Christmas is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of examination she has weathered from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to alter or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
