Indeed, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The common opinion was that a greater royal outrage had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, it's different. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
Now, Meghan has become the oddball family member at most festive family gatherings – providing 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and strangely comforting. And she seems pleased; she's causing a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what Yuletide is about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with panache. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she folds wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with 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 festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would struggle to act this naturally. Her decision to modify or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing 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 what she's selling, a point that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a royal or a office worker, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mother expends in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they reveal a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, rather than a sweet treat.