Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' earlier episodes apart. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems content; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and glance will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Yuletide is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to modify or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft these days, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent does in December. So you can console yourself by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
