Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the season, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, word and glance will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, filled with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of examination she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to modify or even soften her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. We don't have the draft anymore, 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 overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, no kid completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
