[Editor’s note: This article discusses plot points from The Diplomat.]  

The opening of The Diplomat‘s third season is a whirlwind, beginning just moments after the shocking death of the President at the end of the second season. The episode titled “Emperor Dead” captures the chaotic atmosphere as VP Grace Penn (Allison Janney) is hastily sworn in during her visit to the U.K. at the residence of Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell). Amidst the urgency, Kate is caught up in the minor details of the ceremony at the Embassy, humorously struggling to find a judge’s robe (with suggestions ranging from a church to a Harry Potter store) and a so-called “adult-sized Bible, written by Jesus,” which Kate quips about. The quest for the Bible turns into a humorous side story amidst the broader crisis. Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear), who earlier corrected Kate’s biblical misquote, brings the 1455 Gutenberg Bible to the ceremony, amusingly positioning himself prominently in the camera shot as Grace takes her oath in a bizarrely comedic moment.

Comedy has always been woven into this darkly humorous Netflix series, particularly through the troubled marriage of Kate and Hal (Rufus Sewell). Creator Debora Cahn (The West Wing, Homeland) also uses humor to lighten the heavy political scenes. With the third season’s debut, the show leans heavily into absurdity. The Diplomat takes a melodramatic route similar to Scandal, Madam Secretary, and Designated Survivor. Despite its high-caliber origins, it feels more like a traditional network drama, packed with familiar dramatic twists. The series doesn’t pause to grieve President Rayburn (Michael McKean), as Hal and Stuart (Ato Essandoh) are busy proposing Kate for the VP role, Grace is preoccupied with international optics, and loyal White House staff are scrambling to manage the crisis. The ending with Grace choosing Hal as VP over Kate, leaving everyone in shock, further heightens the soap opera-like drama.

This unexpected turn boosts The Diplomat‘s entertainment value. The show capitalizes on the Wylers’ marital strife to amplify its dramatic flair, perhaps to the dismay of viewers expecting a more serious narrative akin to Russell’s earlier series, The Americans. Kate’s visible upset over Grace’s decision is palpable. Although Hal assures her that she won’t be relegated to the role of Second Lady, proposing a position as a Special Envoy to Europe, she remains unconvinced. By the end of the second episode, Kate leaves Hal on the airport tarmac as he departs for Washington, D.C., choosing to stay behind in London and initiating a “secret divorce.” This begins a series of bitter exchanges reminiscent of Scandal‘s dynamic between Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn), who despite their conflicts, couldn’t keep apart.

In Shonda Rhimes’ drama, Olivia and Fitz’s tumultuous relationship spawned numerous over-the-top storylines. He initiated a war for her and even had an old military friend spy on her, while she manipulated an election for him and later managed his ex-wife’s campaign. As Scandal progressed, it moved away from realistic political narratives, focusing instead on the chaos of their affair. Embracing this shift made it easier to engage with Rhimes’ increasingly extravagant plots. Similarly, by suspending disbelief, viewers can enjoy the ludicrous plots of The Diplomat, which links the ongoing crisis to Kate and Hal’s marital status. The show joins other nonsensical yet entertaining series like Apple TV’s Hijack and Netflix’s The Night Agent.

The third season intensifies the drama by creating physical distance between Kate and Hal, culminating in Kate’s kiss with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) after much anticipation. A subsequent five-month time jump reveals she’s covertly involved with a British spy who’s briefing her on a nuclear threat. This complicated love triangle sets the stage for more melodramatic developments. Other characters also contribute to the over-the-top drama, like when Cahn brings TWW’s Janney together with Bradley Whitford, who plays the exasperated First Gentleman. He suspects his wife and her new VP of having an affair, not knowing they’ve actually stolen a weapon from Russia. When Kate figures this out, she regrets her decision to reunite with Hal in the finale. As both couples head towards disaster, it seems The Diplomat is setting up an even more absurd fourth season.   

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Avery Sandridge

Avery Sandridge has an unmatched love for storytelling and the screen. From detailed analyses of your favorite shows to behind-the-scenes scoops, Avery offers a fresh and engaging take on everything TV series.