Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing random tips, and contributing 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and look will be picked apart and judged, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent just what the holiday season is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is ordinary or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to alter or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have national service in this country, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a chocolate.
