Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always open season for criticism 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 common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and look will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not just what Yuletide is about? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has faced since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her shtick, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a duchess or a office worker, few children completely grasps the dedication and labor their parent does in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
