Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a Christmas special). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 oddly reassuring. And she looks content; she's causing any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but is that not just what the holiday season is about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a intense desire for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her decision to alter or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their parent does in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a chocolate.