Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the program's earlier episodes apart. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, utterance and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she executes with panache. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is breathtaking, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her decision to modify or even moderate her persona, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always 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 don't have to. We don't have the draft in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child fully understands the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, rather than a candy.
