Indeed, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The general consensus held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The standard components we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering 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 strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent precisely what Yuletide is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – 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 creases wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is organized in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but even so, after the degree of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even moderate her routine, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished national service anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their mum does in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a candy.
