Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The prevailing view was that a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but framed of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come together; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting any harm.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and glance will be analyzed and judged, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she attempts, she executes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she fastens her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, bursting with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has faced ever since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a thought that will certainly come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a chocolate.
