Yes, it's Full of Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Cherish Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's constantly open season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, it's different. The usual elements we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the quirky relative at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, 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 aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears content; she's causing any harm.
She understands her all subtle gestures, syllable and gaze will be dissected and scrutinized, but still appears relaxed and remarkably at ease.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Because, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, foolishness and flamboyant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Christmas is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks delicious, the festive decoration she makes is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to tear into. Not a single thing is average or ugly – including the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be completely savoring herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, bursting with festive joy and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is arranged in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the intensity of attention she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her shtick, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is weirdly comforting. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you aren't required to. There isn't national service anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you willingly check it out and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the effort and hard work their mum puts in in December. So you can find comfort by imagining Archie and Lilibet'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 chocolate.
