Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering 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 seems happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be analyzed and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is about? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of attention she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to modify or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her message, a point that will certainly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their mum puts in in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
