Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, it's different. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her persona, despite it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with longing about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their mother expends in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
