La Diplomate

Oh my goodness! Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger with of gigantic proportions. Season 2 had me almost in a heart attack in the closing few minutes of Season 2.

I do not know if my heart can take a Season 3.

I initially thought this was a lo key, slow burn political drama. Maybe another kind of *feel good* tv drama like Madame Secretary.

Boy, was I wrong. The Diplomat will have you on the edge of your seat each episode. Binge watching them like a starved animal.

This is political theatre at its very finest. It's even more cut throat than my wildest dreams.

And, even if it's only 1 tenth true of what REALLY happens in USA politics and the various agencies (CIA, Secret Service, Diplomacy) it is still a wild ride.

Keri Russell is once again in a strong female protagonist role that reminded me why I loved her performance so much in "The Americans" She is outstanding!

The characters are phenomenally written and all of them are an enigma to some degree. Their dialogue is fast paced and engaging, and the storyline keeps evolving in chaotic political directions.

It doesn't have a strong tone like other similar shows do. I want to compare it slightly to House of Cards but that doesn't fit the bill. It has a hint of Succession but again not a true fit. It felt similar to the Night Agent but wayyyy better.

I see reviews complaining about the lead and her disheveled appearance and abrasive behavior, but that's her hole thing! "You want people in power who don't *want* to be in power".

Kate is focused on the mission and cause at hand, where people's lives are hanging in the balance. What she's wearing, how she looks, and even when she sleeps all come second to the primary mission. She's good at her job so no one dwells about her decorum. I thought her style fit the narrative perfectly, and it was a refreshing change of pace.

The best part of the show is the relationships they all have with one another. It's rare I like all of the characters in a show but this one did it for me. Really hopeful we'll see a s2.

Keri Russell's performance here is nothing short of a revelation. Her characterization of American career diplomat Kate Wyler is a mesmerizing mash-up of strength, humor, intelligence, vulnerability and, oh my, sexiness. "The Diplomat" deftly caricatures the realm of international diplomacy and its denizens. And while the world hasn't yet descended to the chicanery of the storyline's plot, the wonderfully talented, diverse cast makes it easy to believe that most governments are overrun by people who never emotionally escaped middle school. This series looks good, sounds good, feels good -- it is sublimely fun and smart adult entertainment. All Netflix needs to do now is announce Season 2, and let Ms. Russell and company continue to work their magic.

There's a moment, I think it was about mid-way through Season 1 of the series, that one of the sub-plots went slightly in a different direction than I had expected, and it was a good thing.

Otherwise, the dysfunctional relationships - both personal and professional - among the major characters somehow works and I like it. The writers did a good job of keeping the action tightly focused.

Both the characters and plots work. Sure, it's not very believable but it's fun and at times tense. "Madam Secretary" this is not; nor is it "Veep". And that's a very good thing.

I should also mention that the acting and dialogues are also quite good. The casting was well done. Are they believable? Again, no. But that's ok. Very fast I understood that this is a fantasy, not reality.

Netflix did a good job on this one. I'm really looking forward to Season 2. Please don't f--- it up.

The Diplomat has everything you want in a great series...it has comedy, drama, great acting and writing, etc, etc. The series is about a diplomat (Keri Russell) who has a new job as an ambassador to the United Kingdom after an international crisis happens when an aircraft carrier is attacked. She also has do deal with her husband (Rufus Sewell) who's already a political star and their rocky marriage. I liked this show so much I binged the entire eight episodes over the course of one weekend. It's been doing so good and it's been so well received that it's already gotten an early renewal for another season. I'll definitely be looking forward to watching that and seeing where this show goes.