Yes, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' initial installments to pieces. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing random tips, and supplying 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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's inflicting any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be dissected and judged, but nonetheless looks unburdened and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, nonsense and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of attention she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this authentically. Her unwillingness to change or even soften her shtick, even though it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you don't have to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are consumed by jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother expends in December. So you can take heart by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a chocolate.
