Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and supplying 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks content; she's causing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a everyday person, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
