Admittedly, it's Brimming with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Adore Meghan's Holiday Special.
No considering the season, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion was that a bigger monarchy-related faux pas had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, as a festive rebel, she makes a comeback with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). But this time, the dynamic has changed. The familiar ingredients viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – persist, but set of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at most festive family gatherings – providing 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 aura is known and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be analyzed and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. Since, let's face it, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but doesn't that represent exactly what Christmas is for? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she pulls off with flair. Her recipes looks tasty, the festive decoration she crafts is gorgeous, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Not a single thing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – including the way she fastens her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is arranged in the form of a festive circle?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the level of examination she has weathered from the moment she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of two legendary actresses would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to change or even soften her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our uncertain world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will consistently know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. There isn't the draft in this country, and if there were, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a office worker, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their mother puts in in December. So you can console yourself by picturing Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, instead of a sweet treat.
