Yes, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (or a Christmas special). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and supplying 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 happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and look will be dissected and judged, but nonetheless looks relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the wreath she crafts is stunning, her gifts are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "goes for a spin", and she creases gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, filled with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but despite that, after the level of scrutiny she has weathered since she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even tone down her persona, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a point that will surely come as a relief: you don't have to. We don't have the draft in this country, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are consumed by longing about her idyllic Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum does in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.
