Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – remain, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – offering unasked-for guidance, 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her every micro expression, word and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her kitchen garment is creative and fashionable. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her routine, even though it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a royal or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a chocolate.