Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan is like the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and delivering 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 company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but even so, after the degree of attention she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to change or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a everyday person, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
