Kerri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and Allison Janney Steer ‘The Diplomat’ Into Its Best Season Yet

Alci Rengifo

The world never stops changing for Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), who initially took a job as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom with almost no prior warning. As “The Diplomat” reaches season four, she is almost a one-person coup d’état. Governments tremble on two continents over arguments Kate makes or resists. World leaders risk their careers and lives in her proximity. Creator Debora Cahn allows the international drama to grow, but without much time to catch a breath.

The action picks up in the immediate aftermath of a sniper attack on President Grace Penn (Allison Janney). This temporarily leaves the fate of America in the hands of Kate’s husband, Hal (Rufus Sewell), the vice president. British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) puts aside legitimate grievances about U.S. involvement in a sunken Russian submarine in British territorial waters to lead the search for the attempted assassin. Kinnear imbues Trowbridge with such intricate inner dilemmas it ultimately becomes an operatic tour de force. This is one troubled head of state, now doubly indebted to an increasingly bullying country, and hiding his own secrets.

Created by Debora Cahn, “The Diplomat” excels in selling the mechanics of subterfuge. At the heart of an impending faceoff at sea is a series of lies to bury a covert operation to steal a nuclear weapon called Poseidon off a Russian vessel that sank in British territory. The dealings and the coverups are enough to make Kate sick to her stomach, which for a minute and a half lead to the humorous conclusion she is pregnant. As charged as events become, “The Diplomat” liberally incorporates a very naturalistic humor into whoever is acting on them.

The new season taps into modern political themes both subtly and overtly. The underlying threat in ongoing international relations is an unyielding president alienating international allies. The setting is the G7, and there are rumors about it becoming the G6. President Penn grows increasingly combative after recovering from the assassination attempt, and even the staff is bullied beyond the scope of presidential powers. Janney plays this perfectly. The change is believable because it comes from a perfectly reasoned conclusion given with a rational perspective, and the added weight of incredible responsibility. 

Then Janney lets Grace break down, breaking governmental restrictions, giving in to paranoia, and even asking opinions on why her closest friends think she’s crazy. Bradley Whitford’s Todd, the first man, matches Grace flawlessly, even as he is the first to notice a change. He still makes good on every promise, just as Janney and Whitford always deliver a little leftover “West Wing” magic to every scene they share. Their battles are gripping examples of artistic range.

True to its name, “The Diplomat” relies heavily on the power of words. This doesn’t hinder suspense, or even terror, to break into the most carefully planned operation. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, usually so urgent, it could change the fate of the world. The few action sequences included are staged extremely well. The initial sniper attack, along with the reaction on the ground and followed into surgery, is tense, complicated, and imprecise in the best ways. It effectively reflects the confusion of the moment, and the emotions of the players.

For all the political diplomacy Kate employs in her duties, the best results occur when the gloves come off. It’s not easy being married to the vice president, and Kate and Hal’s marriage has been a ticking time bomb since the first season. The couple’s discussions, arguments, and conflict resolution offer some of the best true acting in the series. Russell and Sewell swing midsentence into thoughts of the two roles each are playing without ever breaking a tight bond of attraction and rejection. They’ve both inflicted and endured every extreme and weaponized it. So, when Kate agrees to act the part of second lady, going as far as scheduling State of the Relationship chats, it takes some edge off the banter. Luckily, it is a springboard to some of the most demanding exchanges. 

Every character is given license to be complicated. Political players bring personal curves to every plot twist. Governmental agents may resort to casual blackmail over tea, and a false flag operation over drinks. Everyone can be reckless, cold, distant both personally and professionally, yet there are no truly irredeemable villains. The performances are as nuanced as the motivations. Except for Stuart, Ato Essandoh allows him to wear it on his sleeves, whether during informal but work-related sit-downs, or more personal ones. Stuart’s relationship with Eidra (Ali Ahn) is as complex as any international intrigue, but comes with a field of romantic Sticky Notes.

“The Diplomat’s” fourth season is a phenomenal payoff to the comparative diplomacy exhibited previously. The momentum never stops, whether it rises incrementally under the surface or appears the instant before a major disruption. The pacing is so multilayered, each episode flies by faster than a hasty decision can come down the chain of command.

 “The Diplomat” season 4 begins streaming Oct. 15 on Netflix.