Kate puts her best foot forward after pillow talk with Hal forces her to face hard truths, and Vice President Penn offers a blunt lesson in geopolitics.Kate puts her best foot forward after pillow talk with Hal forces her to face hard truths, and Vice President Penn offers a blunt lesson in geopolitics.Kate puts her best foot forward after pillow talk with Hal forces her to face hard truths, and Vice President Penn offers a blunt lesson in geopolitics.
Featured reviews
On season 2 overall: for a six-episode season, it wasn't bad in the bad sense of the word, just more like a political spy-warish 'The Crown' than a paper / binder clip 'The Diplomat'.
If you have to wait the end of the season for something juicy to happen and that was just improbable sensation, not (even) remotely credible or logical, then it's a good series for a pass time in all that beautiful setting and set up with lots of security.
If only it had two-three pairs of Dobermans following the main characters at all times then it would have been more than satisfying.
This season was better, more talks, less action, but still with dreadful though informative plots, so still unsatisfying until a new round of six episodes.
If you have to wait the end of the season for something juicy to happen and that was just improbable sensation, not (even) remotely credible or logical, then it's a good series for a pass time in all that beautiful setting and set up with lots of security.
If only it had two-three pairs of Dobermans following the main characters at all times then it would have been more than satisfying.
This season was better, more talks, less action, but still with dreadful though informative plots, so still unsatisfying until a new round of six episodes.
- Screenplay/storyline/plots: 6.5
- Production value/impact: 7
- Development: 7.5
- Realism: 7
- Entertainment: 7
- Acting: 7.5
- Filming/photography/cinematography: 8.5
- VFX: 7.5
- Music/score/sound: 6.5
- Depth: 7
- Logic: 5.5
- Flow: 6.5
- Dark political drama/mini comedy/spy/thriller: 7
- Ending: 8.
Well now i have even more to react to, having read the featured review for this episode...
i think it's inconsiderate to do cliffhangers when the next episode is a year and a half away. To be honest, i'm old...and i may not get to see the next episode...not the top of my list of things i might worry about, but...
AND...by the time THIS season rolled around, i had to review what happened at the end of the last season so that this season's pilot would make sense...and i DON'T think that was because i'm old...i can still find my way home after i leave...but a year and a HALF???
No. Sorry. But between that and CANCELLING really good programs...i wish there was a way for the viewers to have more control over programing... ok. Now the reason i actually came here to write a review...in the beginning of this episode, one of the main characters says, 'democracy is going out of style'. I'd like to say that American democracy is a sham. A carrot on a stick to help corporations and the rich lead the people to where they want them to go...at least at THIS point in history...but, if it hasn't ALways been this way, then it's certainly true since WWII... let's start with the supposed 'cornerstone of democracy'. The vote...it was denied to women and blacks for how many years? And blacks are STILL disciminated against through gerrymandering and voter registration tampering...true with almost every election... then...there's the many...and i mean at least 20...at LEAST...illegal invasions of other countries...to 'make the world safe for democracy'...when it's to acquire that country's resources or attain better footing for purposes of attacking certain 'targets'... and do the rich send THEIR kids to fight this war? Not that I'VE ever noticed...btw...they TRIED to send me to Vietnam...what a joke THAT was...but not so for many people i went to high school with who came back either in flag draped boxes or too mentally unstable to ever have ANY sort of enjoyable or productive life... yes. I think 'the diplomat' is a GREAT series...and they DO point the finger at themselves as being 'culprits'...but they just said something that was FAR from the truth...that would destroy America if it were TRUly exposed...there IS no democracy. It's still nobles and serfs...in GREAT disguises...with inCREdible media/propaganda on its side...and if you doubt what i'm saying here...then read some Noam Chomsky(boring) or(much better) William Blum...one last thing...it's what i said here that deprived my rating of its, otherwise, deserved 10.
No. Sorry. But between that and CANCELLING really good programs...i wish there was a way for the viewers to have more control over programing... ok. Now the reason i actually came here to write a review...in the beginning of this episode, one of the main characters says, 'democracy is going out of style'. I'd like to say that American democracy is a sham. A carrot on a stick to help corporations and the rich lead the people to where they want them to go...at least at THIS point in history...but, if it hasn't ALways been this way, then it's certainly true since WWII... let's start with the supposed 'cornerstone of democracy'. The vote...it was denied to women and blacks for how many years? And blacks are STILL disciminated against through gerrymandering and voter registration tampering...true with almost every election... then...there's the many...and i mean at least 20...at LEAST...illegal invasions of other countries...to 'make the world safe for democracy'...when it's to acquire that country's resources or attain better footing for purposes of attacking certain 'targets'... and do the rich send THEIR kids to fight this war? Not that I'VE ever noticed...btw...they TRIED to send me to Vietnam...what a joke THAT was...but not so for many people i went to high school with who came back either in flag draped boxes or too mentally unstable to ever have ANY sort of enjoyable or productive life... yes. I think 'the diplomat' is a GREAT series...and they DO point the finger at themselves as being 'culprits'...but they just said something that was FAR from the truth...that would destroy America if it were TRUly exposed...there IS no democracy. It's still nobles and serfs...in GREAT disguises...with inCREdible media/propaganda on its side...and if you doubt what i'm saying here...then read some Noam Chomsky(boring) or(much better) William Blum...one last thing...it's what i said here that deprived my rating of its, otherwise, deserved 10.
I posted a review in IMDb of the first series of The Diplomat 18 months ago and suggested the whole gang of them were trying a little too hard, especially when pretty much everyone felt it necessary to drop the F-bomb every few minutes. In brief, I was underwhelmed and gave it a 5/10.
Strictly, 5/10 is 'average' - by definition - but here on IMDb I suspect average would be 6/10 and that 5 more than hinted at 'must try harder'.
Well, I finished watching the second series last night and am happy to report that I was not the only one to suggest there was room for improvement because improvement there has been, all round, and then some.
It's not quite as frenetic as it came across in the first series, a tendency betrayed by all that incessant 'my, aren't we so modern' F-bombing.
Yes, there are still F-bombs along the way, but now they seem - as odd as it might sound - 'relevant'. Folk F-bomb in the second series in the way ordinary folk F-bomb, though probably mainly in private.
I also detect less freneticism in the plotting. I've previously seen the US version of House of Cards - excellent for the first three or four series - and I've heard about The West Wing, and if you like that kind of pseudo-sophisticated political intrigue, and I do, this second series is far more up-to-scratch than Version One, i.e. The first series.
It's as though the various characters, from Keri Russell's US ambassador in Britain, her canny ex-ambassador Rufus Sewell - always best value in my book whatever he does - and all the rest of the cast (can't be bothered to look up the names, but you know who you are) - have finally settled in and feel far more comfortable in their skins.
Being a Netflix series, production values are sky-high, but I must add that pertinently all the thesps, the director, the crew, the script and every other aspect do those production values proud. So stand easy, Netflix, all the moolah you sprayed on this one was worth it.
OK, the 'story' is superficially fantastical, but from the memoirs of politicos and the research by historians we know full well that 'the real thing' - the tooings and frooings of real politicos, their bed hopping, their betrayals, the horse-trading, the shifting alliances, the loyalties and the lying - is often equally as fantastical.
If, like me your were a tad disappointed by round one, don't give up: the second series redeems itself and I, for one, am looking forward to the third series.
In it, apparently, a distinct oddball billionaire who paints his face orange every morning, attempted to rig a national election and has been convicted of fraud and might well be a rapist makes it to the rule the roost in the White House and proceeds to ruin his nation's economy. Or something.
So if you can settle for that kind of make-believe, The Diplomat does the biz and - now, the second time round - does it rather well.
Strictly, 5/10 is 'average' - by definition - but here on IMDb I suspect average would be 6/10 and that 5 more than hinted at 'must try harder'.
Well, I finished watching the second series last night and am happy to report that I was not the only one to suggest there was room for improvement because improvement there has been, all round, and then some.
It's not quite as frenetic as it came across in the first series, a tendency betrayed by all that incessant 'my, aren't we so modern' F-bombing.
Yes, there are still F-bombs along the way, but now they seem - as odd as it might sound - 'relevant'. Folk F-bomb in the second series in the way ordinary folk F-bomb, though probably mainly in private.
I also detect less freneticism in the plotting. I've previously seen the US version of House of Cards - excellent for the first three or four series - and I've heard about The West Wing, and if you like that kind of pseudo-sophisticated political intrigue, and I do, this second series is far more up-to-scratch than Version One, i.e. The first series.
It's as though the various characters, from Keri Russell's US ambassador in Britain, her canny ex-ambassador Rufus Sewell - always best value in my book whatever he does - and all the rest of the cast (can't be bothered to look up the names, but you know who you are) - have finally settled in and feel far more comfortable in their skins.
Being a Netflix series, production values are sky-high, but I must add that pertinently all the thesps, the director, the crew, the script and every other aspect do those production values proud. So stand easy, Netflix, all the moolah you sprayed on this one was worth it.
OK, the 'story' is superficially fantastical, but from the memoirs of politicos and the research by historians we know full well that 'the real thing' - the tooings and frooings of real politicos, their bed hopping, their betrayals, the horse-trading, the shifting alliances, the loyalties and the lying - is often equally as fantastical.
If, like me your were a tad disappointed by round one, don't give up: the second series redeems itself and I, for one, am looking forward to the third series.
In it, apparently, a distinct oddball billionaire who paints his face orange every morning, attempted to rig a national election and has been convicted of fraud and might well be a rapist makes it to the rule the roost in the White House and proceeds to ruin his nation's economy. Or something.
So if you can settle for that kind of make-believe, The Diplomat does the biz and - now, the second time round - does it rather well.
Just like all other episodes, the Diplomat balances moments of pure adrenaline and interesting and well thought through storytelling. This last episode of season 2 is no different. The end of this episode is certainly unexpected, it might even be a bit too far fetched. The cliff hanger at the end gave the feeling it will be followed up by a season full of drama, more adrenaline, more excitement and more of what we already have so much of. Let's hope the next season will continue in the path of the previous seasons. That's what makes The Diplomat such an interesting and good series.
Although the last episode has a quite unexpected and possibly bit far fetched cliff hanger, it is most certainly a good way to keep the audience ready waiting for season 3.
Although the last episode has a quite unexpected and possibly bit far fetched cliff hanger, it is most certainly a good way to keep the audience ready waiting for season 3.
The Diplomat - Series 2
Netflix
My Rating 9/10
I've added my review below of Series 1 of this compelling and absorbing series starring the wonderful Keri Russell as Ambassador to Britain Kate Wyler and Rufus Sewell as her husband Hal .
Series 2 for me really surpassed its predecessor with the continued role of Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylan a powerful and influential advisor to the problematical British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge played by Rory Kinnear.
Later in the series we have the fabulous Allison Janney playing Vice President Grace Penn and her entry really heats up the action in the battle of two ambitious women.
A well deserved series 3 is already in production I'm pleased to hear after the startling finale of series 2 .
It's so refreshing to see a political oriented series that features equally powerful roles for women as well as men in today's world political spectrum.
The Diplomat also is a series that cleverly reflects actual political events and the drama behind closed doors we never get to see.
Case in point series 2 features an Australian political hot potato when the French contract for building nuclear submarines was cancelled and given to the USA.
Of course all the actual key game players are fictitious but the context and drama are cleverly portrayed .
My Review - The Diplomat Series 1 on Netflix My Rating. 8/10
The Diplomat is a British Political thriller series which the Brits seem to excel so well at. Most of the cast is British apart from Keri Russell who plays the slightly unkempt Kate Wyler the unorthodox inexperienced but very effective newly appointed U. S. Ambassador to the British Court of St James .
Kate is married to a former Ambassador Hal Wyler played charmingly and raffishly by Rufus Sewell.
Kate prefers her smart working uniform or black trousers jacket and plain easy comb hairstyle resisting attempts to restyle her appearance to suit the smart magazine journalists or her male colleagues perception of professional women.
However wait till later in the series when she stuns everyone in a dramatic fire engine red couture gown at a Government Heads reception to suit her own agenda .
The Wyler's marriage is rocky due to career rivalry and gender rôle expectations and jealousy but it's not on the quite on the rocks they obviously have affection for each other.
They are a very interesting pair as Kate establishes her credibility in her new role as the American Ambassador and it soon becomes apparent that she is short listed for a Vice President role if successful.
Debora Cahn the writer and creator of The Diplomat knows her craft she has written and co produced scripts for The West Wing and Greys Anatomy. She is assisted in this production by a team of writers who have created a fictional but spookily uncanny scenario that resembles so closely the ,Political world we all inhabit today.
This had to be intentional I think as we have an ageing American President William Rayburn played by Michael McKean who is looking for a replacement for his unpopular female Vice President .
We have a Mr Toad like bombastic British Prime Minister who even has a racy red sports car like Mr Toad that he races through the British countryside causing havoc when ever he pops in on vital strategic meetings .
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge or is it Boris J ? Is played so well by Rory Kinnear and he's intent on letting loose the dogs of war in retaliation to a perceived attack by Iran or is it Russia ? On a British War Ship that kills over 50 British Navy personnel.
Even The Lenkov Group referred to in this story is a reference to the real life Russian mercenary Wagner Group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The Russian War waging in The Ukraine is mentioned also making the fictional scenario even more topical and scary as we watch the Diplomatic incompetence of some of the elected officials thankfully in contrast to those with some common sense and intelligence who have the difficult task of finding safer strategies to guide the World towards more peaceful solutions to the conflicts that arise that don't involve nuclear superpower destruction.
There's some fine performances in The Diplomat apart from Keri Russell as The US Ambassador and Rufus Sewell as her husband Hal including David Gyasias cast as The British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison who impressed me . Also Ali Ahn as Eidra Graham an Intelligence Officer in a relationship with The Ambassador's Personal Assistant Stuart Heyford also played well by Ato Essandoh.
We even get the pleasure of a cameo from the delightful Celia Imrie playing Margaret Roylin a Left of Centre but charming Political gossip columnist who is more aware of the current regime than at first is apparent.
Considering the dramatic cliff hanger finale of episode 8 titled The James Bond Clause I'd be very disappointed if there's not a Series 2 of The Diplomat it hasn't been commissioned yet but the quality of series 1 deserves an encore season in my opinion.
Even if you're not into Political intrigue there's enough human interest in the characters in this story to make if less dry and more entertaining than just your average Political thriller .
Series 2 for me really surpassed its predecessor with the continued role of Celia Imrie as Margaret Roylan a powerful and influential advisor to the problematical British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge played by Rory Kinnear.
Later in the series we have the fabulous Allison Janney playing Vice President Grace Penn and her entry really heats up the action in the battle of two ambitious women.
A well deserved series 3 is already in production I'm pleased to hear after the startling finale of series 2 .
It's so refreshing to see a political oriented series that features equally powerful roles for women as well as men in today's world political spectrum.
The Diplomat also is a series that cleverly reflects actual political events and the drama behind closed doors we never get to see.
Case in point series 2 features an Australian political hot potato when the French contract for building nuclear submarines was cancelled and given to the USA.
Of course all the actual key game players are fictitious but the context and drama are cleverly portrayed .
My Review - The Diplomat Series 1 on Netflix My Rating. 8/10
The Diplomat is a British Political thriller series which the Brits seem to excel so well at. Most of the cast is British apart from Keri Russell who plays the slightly unkempt Kate Wyler the unorthodox inexperienced but very effective newly appointed U. S. Ambassador to the British Court of St James .
Kate is married to a former Ambassador Hal Wyler played charmingly and raffishly by Rufus Sewell.
Kate prefers her smart working uniform or black trousers jacket and plain easy comb hairstyle resisting attempts to restyle her appearance to suit the smart magazine journalists or her male colleagues perception of professional women.
However wait till later in the series when she stuns everyone in a dramatic fire engine red couture gown at a Government Heads reception to suit her own agenda .
The Wyler's marriage is rocky due to career rivalry and gender rôle expectations and jealousy but it's not on the quite on the rocks they obviously have affection for each other.
They are a very interesting pair as Kate establishes her credibility in her new role as the American Ambassador and it soon becomes apparent that she is short listed for a Vice President role if successful.
Debora Cahn the writer and creator of The Diplomat knows her craft she has written and co produced scripts for The West Wing and Greys Anatomy. She is assisted in this production by a team of writers who have created a fictional but spookily uncanny scenario that resembles so closely the ,Political world we all inhabit today.
This had to be intentional I think as we have an ageing American President William Rayburn played by Michael McKean who is looking for a replacement for his unpopular female Vice President .
We have a Mr Toad like bombastic British Prime Minister who even has a racy red sports car like Mr Toad that he races through the British countryside causing havoc when ever he pops in on vital strategic meetings .
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge or is it Boris J ? Is played so well by Rory Kinnear and he's intent on letting loose the dogs of war in retaliation to a perceived attack by Iran or is it Russia ? On a British War Ship that kills over 50 British Navy personnel.
Even The Lenkov Group referred to in this story is a reference to the real life Russian mercenary Wagner Group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The Russian War waging in The Ukraine is mentioned also making the fictional scenario even more topical and scary as we watch the Diplomatic incompetence of some of the elected officials thankfully in contrast to those with some common sense and intelligence who have the difficult task of finding safer strategies to guide the World towards more peaceful solutions to the conflicts that arise that don't involve nuclear superpower destruction.
There's some fine performances in The Diplomat apart from Keri Russell as The US Ambassador and Rufus Sewell as her husband Hal including David Gyasias cast as The British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison who impressed me . Also Ali Ahn as Eidra Graham an Intelligence Officer in a relationship with The Ambassador's Personal Assistant Stuart Heyford also played well by Ato Essandoh.
We even get the pleasure of a cameo from the delightful Celia Imrie playing Margaret Roylin a Left of Centre but charming Political gossip columnist who is more aware of the current regime than at first is apparent.
Considering the dramatic cliff hanger finale of episode 8 titled The James Bond Clause I'd be very disappointed if there's not a Series 2 of The Diplomat it hasn't been commissioned yet but the quality of series 1 deserves an encore season in my opinion.
Even if you're not into Political intrigue there's enough human interest in the characters in this story to make if less dry and more entertaining than just your average Political thriller .
Did you know
- TriviaThe Chief of the Royal Australian Navy is referred to as "Admiral" and wears admiral rank (one broad ring and three narrower ones) during the dinner at Blenheim Palace. The Chief of the Royal Australian Navy is only a Rear Admiral (one broad ring and two narrower ones). The Chief of the (Australian) Defence Force is the person to hold 4-star rank in the ADF.
- GoofsThe Vice President says that all of the UK's nuclear weapons are stored in one place--a fictitious naval base called Creegan. In fact, at least four different locations in the UK store its nuclear warheads.
Details
- Runtime52 minutes
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