Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the lifestyle show's earlier episodes to pieces. The prevailing view held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back for another round with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – vague self-help platitudes, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 pleased; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be analyzed and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks delicious, the wreath she makes is stunning, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – including the way she secures her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the form of a Christmas ring?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, naturally, but despite that, after the level of examination she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her decision to alter or even soften her shtick, even though it being so persistently, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you don't have to. We don't have national service in this country, and if there were, it would be doubtful to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, few children fully understands the effort and hard work their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
