Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – 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 perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and contributing 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's causing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and criticised, but still appears unburdened and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is stunning, her gifts are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the intensity of scrutiny she has endured from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her decision to change or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
