The Diplomat, Netflix’s political thriller, has returned for a second season of fraught political tensions, manipulative personal relationships, and a healthy dose of political satire. While the first season saw the newly appointed ambassador to the UK, Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), reluctantly thrust into the international spotlight, things are no less complex in season 2 as new international crises lead to more issues while she balances her fractured marriage with her former diplomat husband. While the acting has remained phenomenal, and the dialogue is as sharp as ever,The DiplomatSeason 2 sometimes feels overloaded and needlessly complex.
Cast
The Diplomat’ssophomore seasonpicks right back up from where it left off, as the suspicious circumstances of theRussian war criminal Roman Lenkov’s deathimplied an inside job.The chaos of the car explosion that took place at the end of the season 1 finale is still in full swing, and it’s uncertain which characters will make it out alive and just what spurred such a devastating attack in central London. This incident lays the groundwork for the entire season as underhanded practices, shady political interests, and geopolitical concerns overlap in a dialogue-heavy and, at times, overtly convoluted narrative.
The Diplomat Season 2 Picks Right Back Up Where The Finale Left Off
The Explosion At The End Of Season 1 Lays The Groundwork For All That’s To Follow
The fallout from this attack saw three Americans blown up. Chief among the victims was Kate’s husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell). It’s uncertain whether Hal will survive, which would have doneThe Diplomata significant disservice, as the married couple’s interactions are a highlight of the series. Sadly, Stuart Hayford’s assistant, Ronnie, meets her end and the devastating event leaves a significant mark on her boss' psychology as he recovers throughout the season.This explosion puts new pieces in place forThe Diplomatas the aftereffects seem to wipe the slate clean for Kate and Hal’s planned separation.
While all the excitement around this impactful explosion setThe Diplomatup nicely for its second run, the series has not forgotten about the potential corruption of British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge. Through a nuanced performance from Rory Kinnear, many of the most urgent scenes come from Kinnear walking a fine line as we’re unsure whether he’s a self-aggrandizing mass murderer toying with the political system for his own benefit or simply a pawn in a much larger game. Through a sharp and clever script, this season hints at a story behind the story where nobody’s allegiances are certain.
However, despite all the charged political tensions between the cast of government workers, the most interesting dynamicis still betweenKate and Hal Wyler. While the previous season set Kate up for infidelity through a flirtatious connection with the UK Foreign Secretary, Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), this subplot takes a backseat to explore the couple’s semi-repaired relationship in the face of Hal’s near-death experience. While this might sound like a joyous reconnection, it is anything but, as Hal continues to attempt to pull the strings of Kate’s diplomatic career as he pushes her toward the Vice Presidency.
The Diplomatis never quite sure whether it wants to be a tense political thriller or a clever satire.
WhileThe Diplomatseason 2 presents itself as a carefully constructed chessboard filled with many conflicting pieces, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this series is going through an identity crisis. From one scene to the next,The Diplomatis never quite sure whether it wants to be a tense political thriller or a clever satire highlighting the absurdity at the center of the political decision-making system. By trying to do both at once, it never fully manages to excel at either.
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The supporting characters get some time in the spotlight, but it never feels like enough, as the reduced six-episode season forces things to move quickly without giving the ensemble space to develop. WhileBetter Call Saul’sMichael McKean as the President of the United States is exciting, I’d hoped to see more of him, but he barely gets a look. The addition ofThe West Wing’sAllison Janney as the Vice President is a welcome surprise, but it’sStuart Hayford and Eidra Park’s (Ali Ahn) continued workplace romance/breakupthat’s truly never given enough time.
The Diplomat Season 2 Is In Danger Of Being Overwhelmed By Its Ambition
There Are So Many Moving Pieces In Season 2 That It Can Be Hard To Keep Up
The Diplomatseason 2 has so many moving pieces that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. From a potential conspiracy involving the Prime Minister, a ploy to halt Scottish independence, a planned coup d’état within the British government, and Kate’s tentative offer of the Vice Presidency, it can sometimes feel likeThe Diplomatis in danger of being crushed under the weight of its own narrative ambitions. While the show does manage to keep its many plates spinning throughout the season, I can’t help but wonder if things would have been more engaging if there was a little less going on.
The Diplomathas yet to reach the heart-racing highs of Russell’s career-defining performance inThe Americans.
The Diplomatseason 2was not without its issues, but Keri Russell deserves praise for her fantastic performance, and series creator Debora Cahn should get credit for crafting one of the most impressive political series currently being made. AlthoughThe Diplomathas yet to reach the heart-racing highs of Russell’s career-defining performance inThe Americansor the bingeable intensity of Cahn’s previous work onHomeland, it’s slowly carving out a unique identity that’s not without its growing pains. With the excitinggroundwork already laid for Season 3,I know I’ll be tuning in for another lesson in diplomacy.
The Diplomatseason 2 is streaming on Netflix on October 31. The season consists of six episodes.
The Diplomat
Set within the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, The Diplomat follows the challenges and intricacies faced by an ambassador as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. The series explores the delicate balance between personal and professional responsibilities amidst global tensions and the pursuit of peace.
