Admittedly, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view held that a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she seems content; she's not doing any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to alter or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are consumed by envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their mother expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
