Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the program's first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps 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, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her recipes looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Nothing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but even so, after the level of scrutiny she has faced ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch 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 puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning her children's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a candy.
