Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she appears happy enough; she's causing any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, word and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she fastens her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to change or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mum does in the holiday season. So you can take heart by envisioning 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, instead of a chocolate.
