Admittedly, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The prevailing view held that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – are still present, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – 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 an interesting figure, but her aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her every micro expression, utterance and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Granted, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and over the top – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of attention she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is weirdly comforting. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will forever know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their parent does in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.