Indeed, it's Full of Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the time of year, it's perpetually fair game for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' initial installments to shreds. The prevailing view seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had hardly ever taken place than the notorious snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, like a merry renegade master, she is back with a new offering with a "Christmas Special" (or a Christmas special). Yet now, things have shifted. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – persist, but framed of a holiday show, it all clicks into place. The elements have slid together; it's a perfect snow storm.
By this point, Meghan resembles the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering random tips, and supplying the periodic peculiar declaration. ("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 oddly reassuring. And she appears happy enough; she's causing a bit of damage.
She understands her every micro expression, utterance and look will be picked apart and judged, but manages to seem relaxed and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the first occasion in history where that well-worn saying – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Yes, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and over the top – but is that not exactly what Christmas is all about? And the advice she gives might be laughable, but the example she sets appears to be impeccably styled.
Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she executes with style. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the festive decoration she creates is stunning, her presents are nearly too beautiful to open. Not a single thing is average or visually unappealing – even the way she secures her apron is creative and fashionable. She doesn't throw a meal in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she folds gift paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any hate-watcher not be won over, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of scrutiny she has weathered since she became involved with Prince Harry, even a hypothetical offspring of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to change or even soften her shtick, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is something we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, come what may. We will always know where we are with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a reminder that will surely come as a reassurance: you don't have to. The UK has abolished national service these days, and if there were, it would be improbable to include streaming With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are overcome with jealousy about her flawless Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a everyday person, no kid completely grasps the effort and hard work their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning the young royals' faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, in place of a candy.