Admittedly, it's Brimming with Absurdity, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No matter the season, it's perpetually 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 lifestyle show's earlier episodes to shreds. The general consensus seemed to be a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (or a yuletide episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients we've come to expect – meaningless jargon salads, overzealous entertaining – persist, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a perfect snow storm.
Now, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – offering unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and delivering the odd random outburst. ("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 the slightest hurt.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and look will be analyzed and scrutinized, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, let's face it, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, silliness and over the top – but isn't that just what the holiday season is all about? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the walk she's walking seems authentically impeccably styled.
Anything she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her presents are almost too pretty to open. Not a single thing is average or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be completely savoring herself throughout. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the likeness of a Christmas ring?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, obviously, but nonetheless, after the level of examination she has endured from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would find it hard to appear this naturally. Her refusal to modify or even moderate her routine, despite it being so relentlessly, widely parodied, is weirdly comforting. In our uncertain world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a thought that will undoubtedly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished national service in this country, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with envy about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, few children completely grasps the effort and hard work their parent does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a beautifully scripted letter that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.