No concerned with the season, it's perpetually hunting season for commentary on the Meghan Markle's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, expert and amateur alike, have seldom found such common ground as when enthusiastically shredding the series' initial installments to pieces. The common opinion seemed to be a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the much-discussed pretzel-bagging incident.
Now, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she has returned for another round with a "Holiday Celebration" (aka a yuletide episode). Yet now, the dynamic has changed. The standard components viewers are accustomed to – vague self-help platitudes, overzealous entertaining – remain, but set of a Christmas special, the purpose becomes clear. The pieces have fallen perfectly; it's a ideal seasonal storm.
At this stage, Meghan resembles the eccentric aunt at the typical holiday get-together – providing 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 a bit of a character, but her company is customary and unexpectedly soothing. And she seems happy enough; she's not doing the slightest hurt.
She is aware her each tiny facial movement, word and glance will be picked apart and criticised, but still appears carefree and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that clichéd phrase – "Pay no mind, it's only envy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, each element in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels delightful. Yes, it's all painfully excessive, silliness and over the top – but isn't that precisely what the holiday season is for? And the words she speaks might be absurd, but the life she leads seems authentically impeccably styled.
Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes with style. Her cooking looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are almost too pretty to unwrap. Not a single thing is mediocre or ugly – even the way she ties her kitchen garment is stylish and elegant. 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 completely savoring herself the entire time. How could any cynical observer not be won over, filled with holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for crafted festive snaps or a vegetable display where greens is positioned in the form of a wreath?
Meghan had a career in acting for a living, of course, but even so, after the intensity of examination she has faced ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this genuinely. Her decision to change or even tone down her routine, despite it being so constantly, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our unpredictable world, here is one thing we can rely on: Meghan will stay true to form, no matter what. We will always know our position with her.
If you're not yet convinced by her brand, a point that will certainly come as a comfort: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft anymore, and should it be reinstated, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you decide to tune in and are gripped with longing about her flawless Christmas, there is hope either. If you are a royal or a office worker, no kid fully understands the time and energy their mother puts in in December. So you can find comfort by envisioning her children's faces when they open a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a DIY festive calendar, in place of a sweet treat.
