Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a yuletide episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears content; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be dissected and criticised, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a everyday person, no kid fully understands the time and energy their parent expends in December. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
