Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing unasked-for guidance, and contributing the occasional strange exclamation. ("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 company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the talk she's talking might be absurd, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her recipes looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her shtick, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining her children's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a sweet treat.
