Yes, it's Packed with Gibberish, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game 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 pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, like a merry renegade master, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a holiday episode). However on this occasion, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but within the context of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan is like the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and delivering 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 presence is familiar and oddly reassuring. And she seems happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Since, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she executes with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she makes is gorgeous, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the degree of examination she has endured ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are gripped with jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, few children truly appreciates the effort and hard work their parent puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
