Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The general consensus seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). But this time, things have shifted. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and oddly reassuring. And she appears pleased; she's inflicting any harm.
She knows her every micro expression, syllable and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but manages to seem unburdened and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – could actually be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but is that not precisely what Yuletide is about? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads appears to be beautifully curated.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the wreath she crafts is stunning, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has faced 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 unwillingness to modify or even tone down her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her message, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't national service these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, hardly any child completely grasps the dedication and labor their mum expends in December. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, instead of a sweet treat.
