Yes, it's Packed with Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually hunting season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel-bagging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – providing random tips, and contributing 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 looks happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She is aware her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be analyzed and scrutinized, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. The reason is, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Granted, it's all painfully excessive, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not just what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her culinary efforts looks tasty, the wreath she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to tear into. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be convinced, overcome by festive joy and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, obviously, but despite that, after the intensity of examination she has weathered ever since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would find it hard to appear this authentically. Her refusal to modify or even soften her persona, regardless of it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will stay true to form, whatever happens. We will always know what to expect with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will undoubtedly come as a relief: 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, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Be you a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mother expends in December. So you can take heart by imagining the young royals' faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.
