Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and delivering 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of attention she has faced since she started dating Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her routine, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have the draft anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can take heart by imagining her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
