Yes, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the program's earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). But this time, it's different. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – offering random tips, and contributing the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but manages to seem relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – could actually be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and flamboyant – but is that not precisely what Christmas is for? And the talk she's talking might be laughable, but the walk she's walking genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the wreath she makes is gorgeous, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of attention she has weathered since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her refusal to modify or even soften her routine, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying her brand, a thought that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the time and energy their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a sweet treat.
