Admittedly, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering random tips, and contributing 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 content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and look will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, you know what?, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not exactly what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she executes with panache. Her recipes looks delicious, the wreath she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent expends in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a candy.
