Indeed, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Critics, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The general consensus held that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). Yet now, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, 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.
Now, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering 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 quite a personality, but her company is customary and strangely comforting. And she appears pleased; she's causing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be dissected and criticised, but manages to seem carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the initial instance in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is lovely. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that exactly what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with style. Her recipes looks tasty, the holiday arrangement she makes is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, 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 skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of attention she has faced from the moment she met Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even moderate her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be doubtful to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you choose to watch and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mum does in December. So you can take heart by imagining Archie and Lilibet's faces when they open a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, instead of a chocolate.
