Yes, it's Brimming with Nonsense, Over-the-Top Hospitality and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Cherish Meghan's Holiday Special.
No concerned with the season, it's always hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's televisual offering, With Love, Meghan. Commentators, expert and amateur alike, have rarely been so united as when gleefully ripping the series' first and second seasons to shreds. The prevailing view was that a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Currently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a holiday episode). But this time, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, intense hospitality – are still present, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan resembles the quirky relative at the typical holiday get-together – offering random tips, and supplying 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 presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing a bit of damage.
She understands her all subtle gestures, word and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. Because, you know what?, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration is charming. Yes, it's all awkwardly over-the-top, nonsense and over the top – but is that not precisely what Christmas is all about? And the talk she's talking might be ridiculous, but the walk she's walking appears to be shop-bought.
Anything she sets her mind to, she executes with flair. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to unwrap. Nothing is average or ugly – even the way she secures her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she creases gift paper like an craft master. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be convinced, filled with seasonal cheer and left with a deep longing for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where broccoli is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has weathered ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, the love child of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench would find it hard to appear this genuinely. Her refusal to alter or even tone down her routine, regardless of it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is strangely reassuring. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will consistently know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you don't have to. We don't have national service these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be improbable to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, conversely, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her picture-perfect Christmas, there is hope either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their mum puts in in the holiday season. So you can find comfort by picturing her children's faces when they open a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a homemade Advent calendar, rather than a sweet treat.
