Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Adore Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the time of year, it's always fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have rarely been so united as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had hardly ever taken place than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback for another round with a "Christmas Special" (also known as a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen together; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She understands her each tiny facial movement, word and look will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks carefree and too blessed to be stressed.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – could actually be true. Because, let's face it, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and extravagant – but is that not exactly what Christmas is for? And the words she speaks might be laughable, but the life she leads genuinely looks impeccably styled.
Anything she attempts, she pulls off with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she creates is gorgeous, her presents are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a meal in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself throughout. How could any hate-watcher not be convinced, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for personalized Christmas crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is positioned in the shape of a festive circle?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has endured from the moment she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her unwillingness to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're not yet convinced by what she's selling, a point that will certainly come as a relief: you are not obligated to. There isn't national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing the young royals' faces when they unfold a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a chocolate.
