Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's always fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments apart. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she has returned for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid together; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, and contributing 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 unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and look will be analyzed and criticised, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and over the top – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with flair. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the effort and hard work their mother expends in December. So you can console yourself by picturing the young royals' faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.