Admittedly, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Christmas Special.
No matter the season, it's always open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The usual elements audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a Christmas special, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – dispensing random tips, and delivering 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 a bit of a character, but her aura is known and oddly reassuring. And she looks pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and look will be analyzed and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Maybe this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – may well be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not just what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is average or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, overcome by seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the form of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to change or even soften her routine, even though it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, no matter what. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a everyday person, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their parent does in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a candy.
