Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to pieces. The general consensus was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – persist, but set of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She understands her every micro expression, word and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. The reason is, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the example she sets seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with flair. Her cooking looks tasty, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an craft master. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by festive joy and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but even so, after the level of examination she has faced from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this naturally. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her routine, despite it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her message, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.
