Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's constantly hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to pieces. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of attention she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to change or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a candy.
