Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's always open season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the series' earlier episodes to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a holiday episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and contributing 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 seems happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She knows her all subtle gestures, utterance and gaze will be analyzed and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, you know what?, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and over the top – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads appears to be impeccably styled.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with flair. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even tone down her shtick, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you are not obligated to. We don't have the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a data administrator, hardly any child truly appreciates the dedication and labor their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by envisioning the young royals' faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a chocolate.
