Indeed, it's Full of Nonsense, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Festive Episode.
No concerned with the season, it's constantly open season for scrutiny on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a more egregious regal scandal had seldom occurred than the much-discussed pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she makes a comeback once again with a "Holiday Celebration" (also known as a Christmas special). However on this occasion, the dynamic has changed. The standard components audiences anticipate – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – are still present, but framed of a holiday show, suddenly it all makes sense. The elements have slid into place; it's a flawless festive blizzard.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at Christmas celebrations everywhere – offering unasked-for guidance, and delivering 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 an interesting figure, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears happy enough; she's inflicting the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, syllable and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but nonetheless looks unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Maybe this is the only time in history where that well-worn saying – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, silliness and flamboyant – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically beautifully curated.
Whatever she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with style. Her recipes looks delicious, the holiday arrangement she creates is stunning, her presents are almost too pretty to tear into. Not a single thing is mediocre or visually unappealing – even the way she ties her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't toss a dish in the microwave, it "has a moment", and she creases wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself from start to finish. How could any skeptical viewer not be won over, bursting with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a vegetable display where greens is organized in the likeness of a wreath?
Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but even so, after the intensity of examination she has faced ever since she met Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would struggle to act this genuinely. Her unwillingness to alter or even soften her shtick, despite it being so constantly, internationally ridiculed, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know our position with her.
If you're remaining skeptical of her brand, a point that will surely come as a comfort: you aren't required to. There isn't mandatory conscription these days, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you choose to watch and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. Be you a duchess or a office worker, few children truly appreciates the dedication and labor their mum puts in in December. So you can take heart by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
