Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be dissected and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her persona, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
