It has been almost a year we have been witnessing several countries stand at the threshold of war while some have already gone for it. The Ukraine-Russian war is at its peak as we discuss Netflix’s The Diplomat. And while this is one of the deadliest wars of the decade so far, many other countries like Iran and America stand at a crucial political stage, too. The Diplomat picks these four countries and throws them into chaos metaphorically, simultaneously making the protagonist, Kate Wyler, take charge of the detonating situation.
In collaboration with Debora Cahn, Netflix recently premiered The Diplomat and let us witness the journey of Kate as she weaves through a flailing marriage and a struggling career. Though the series is quite engaging, it has left us with major cliffhangers and astounding questions. So, without wasting a second, let us dive into The Diplomat review and the ending explained!
The Diplomat Plot: How Does Kate Find Herself In London?
Kate Wyler isn’t a diplomat, not in the traditional sense anyway. She has vast experience handling risky situations and bringing peace. So, when an HMS Courageous, a British warship, is attacked in the middle of the ocean, the nuclear-weapon-laden country gets furious. The British president decides to attack Iran, assuming that Iran is behind the bombing of the warship. Now, he is looking for an ally in America, knowing full well that America and Iran don’t see eye-to-eye.
A surprising twist awaits Britain as American officials demand evidence to declare a war on Iran. America sends Kate Wyler as an ambassador to analyze the situation and make a wise decision. So, Kate and her husband, Hal, pack their bags and move to the U.K. with Hal sulking about the trip. Since Hal is a tactful diplomat, himself, his hulk-size ego is damaged and it put a strain on their already damaged relationship.
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Choices Change And Priorities Differ When Power Is Distributed Freely
As Hal and Kate settle in a place–or palace as I believe it is–where everyone is hiding several skeletons in their closet, Kate discovers a major truth. She isn’t just playing mediator but is also being tested for the position of the next American Vice President. However, the test isn’t as simple and Kate isn’t interested initially. Hal, being the megalomaniac he is, starts to meddle in Kate’s business extensively. Now, Kate is left to choose between her husband and the power millions of people desire.
As The Diplomat moves forward, Hal finds himself investigating Iran’s involvement in the HMS Courageous bombing. Britain is still adamant about attacking Iran and proving its power. The British Prime Minister, Nicol Trowbridge asserts his belief once again, leaving Kate and Hal in a compromising position. But then, Kate’s colleague tells her about Roman Lenkov and things go terribly awry.
The Attack On HMS Courageous Shakes London: Who Did It?
Kate and her team start to believe that Russia is behind the HMS Courageous bombing and is looking forward to disrupting the NATO pact. As we all know, Britain and America have been supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia, and the dynamics between these countries are challenged widely. Staging an attack on a British warship and blaming the destruction on Iran is Russia’s master plan to start a deadly war. However, Kate knows she has no evidence and sets on to find Lenkov.
As she comes closer to Lenkov and asks Dennison, about it, Kate quickly puts two and two together. She realizes it was Trowbridge’s carefully conceited plan to kill Lenkov and attack the HMS Courageous. As Dennison and Kate stabilize themselves after the initial shock, they realize Trowbridge has constituted the attack. Why? So that he could salvage his declining popularity. Also, since he needs to calm the chaos surfing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It makes sense that Nicol Trowbridge is the mastermind behind the HMS Courageous exploit.
The Diplomat Ending Explained: What Does Kate Choose? Husband Or Power?
Even though Netflix’s The Diplomat is a political thriller, it relies on Kate and Hal’s relationship immensely. It isn’t just the story of an American ambassador but a tale of reviving a flailing marriage. When Hal finds himself in this dangerous loop of power and position, he, too, decides to try and push his luck. Being driven ambitiously to achieving the position of the Secretary of State, Hal arranges a meeting with the Tory MP.
Even though Kate is strictly against it, Hal shows up for the meeting along with Stuart and that’s when the major twist of The Diplomat occurs! MP’s car explodes and the three of them are caught in the crossfire. Are they alive? Possibly, yes! Given that The Diplomat is yet to see an ending, the confirmed answer will be brought in the upcoming seasons.
But the major question still remains; when Kate is surrounded by vultures who hide their true intentions immaculately, will becoming a Vice President be a smart move? If she decides to choose power, she will have no option but to divorce Hal. If Kate chooses Hal and power, it would be a smart decision. But would it be easy to survive in such a complex world? Indeed, a diplomatic decision would need to be orchestrated!
The Diplomat Review: A Fast-Paced Political Thriller That Makes It Hard To Keep Up
While I have broken down The Diplomat, it was certainly no piece of cake. The pace of the series is quite rushed. Maybe, Cahn was trying to assemble too many story arcs into one that’s why. For an 8-episodes-long series that nearly demands 8 hours, the pace isn’t easy to keep up with. Aside from that, Keri Russell as Kate nails the show. It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t credit Russell enough for bringing out the smart yet sensitive Kate. The other cast members including Rufus Sewell and David Gyasi don’t disappoint as well.
The complaint from Netflix’s series remains its brisk pace and its genre. While initially, I believed it would be a romantic comedy–as the sources cite–it ended up being nothing but a political thriller that does not stress Kate and Hal’s lives enough. Rather, it is centred around mysteries and dual-faced people. Even though these drawbacks are quite profound, they are not enough to hold The Diplomat from garnering a 7.5 on 10 from my side.
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