Indeed, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's initial installments to shreds. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). But this time, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and supplying 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 an interesting figure, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not just what Yuletide is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she creates is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will certainly come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have national service anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
