Indeed, it's Packed with Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. Yet I Truly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No considering the time of year, it's always hunting season for criticism on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, both professional and armchair, have rarely been so united as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's earlier episodes apart. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous snack re-labeling incident.
Currently, as a festive rebel, she is back once again with a "Festive Special" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, it's different. The standard components audiences anticipate – psychobabble word salads, extreme hosting – are still present, but set of a yuletide episode, it all clicks into place. The puzzle has come perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
Now, Meghan has become the oddball family member at the typical holiday get-together – providing random tips, 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 a bit of a character, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears content; she's inflicting a bit of damage.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and gaze will be picked apart and scrutinized, but still appears relaxed and serenely untroubled.
It could be this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – may well be true. The reason is, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels charming. Granted, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and extravagant – but is that not just what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.
Whatever she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her cooking looks scrumptious, the wreath she creates is breathtaking, her presents are practically too exquisite to unwrap. Nothing is average or ugly – including the way she ties her apron is artful and chic. She doesn't bung a meal in the microwave, it "takes a twirl", and she wraps wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a intense desire for personalized Christmas crackers or a crudites platter where greens is positioned in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the level of attention she has endured since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her decision to alter or even soften her persona, despite it being so constantly, globally mocked, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will always know our position with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will undoubtedly come as a relief: you don't have to. There isn't the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you decide to tune in and are consumed by jealousy about her picture-perfect Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a royal or a data administrator, few children fully understands the time and energy their parent does in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning her children's 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.
