Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, and delivering 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 quite a personality, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's causing any harm.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, syllable and look will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the intensity of examination she has endured since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are consumed by envy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their parent expends in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
