Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. But I Do Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the time of year, it's constantly fair game for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, both professional and armchair, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the program's earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed snack re-labeling incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Festive Special" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, intense hospitality – remain, but within the context of a yuletide episode, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – 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 aura is known and strangely comforting. And she looks content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, utterance and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and remarkably at ease.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is delightful. Admittedly, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Yuletide is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she creates is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't throw a meal in the oven, it "goes for a spin", and she wraps gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself throughout. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with seasonal cheer and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is arranged in the likeness of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the degree of attention 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 refusal to modify or even soften her shtick, even though it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, whatever happens. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a thought that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are consumed by longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Whether you're a duchess or a data administrator, no kid fully understands the dedication and labor their mother does in December. So you can console yourself by imagining her children's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a chocolate.
