Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's always open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her shtick, despite it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have 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 overcome with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mother does in December. So you can take heart by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
