“The Diplomat” is a fierce political drama full of twists and turns that always leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. There’s one thing viewers can always count on from the show: the use of a good cliffhanger. The ending of both seasons one and two left off on cliffhangers, making the time between seasons feel like an eternity. The same is true for season three, which was released on Oct. 24.
“The Diplomat” season three picks up exactly where season two left off. President William Rayburn is dead and former Vice President Grace Penn must step up to the plate. This shift of power should make Kate Wyler, the American diplomat to England, Penn’s new vice president, however that is not the case. Would it really be “The Diplomat” if there was no twist?
Instead of Kate, Hal Wyler, her husband, is asked to be Vice President, a shock to everyone. Both seem to be quick, skilled politicians that think outside of the box to come up with solutions, but differ in their morals. Kate is more loyal and caring towards others. Though she may not show it all the time, she thinks about the people and how her actions could affect them. Differing from Hal, who tends to use people to get what he wants and is more keen to manipulate.
This decision sparks an important question for Kate: should she go back to the United States and serve as the second lady there or keep her job as the Ambassador to England and serve as the second lady from London? Kate tries to act content with the idea of serving, but knows deep down she cannot give up her political career she’s been working toward her whole life. She does not want to be stuck in Hal’s shadow, so in a dramatic scene she does not board the plane back to the United States with Hal. Instead staying on the tarmac and cementing her decision to stay Ambassador.
Part of what makes the show so turbulent is their toxic relationship. Kate and Hal continuously fight with one another over decisions, beliefs, and actions. Kate always seems to be disgusted by what Hal does, and Hal continues to push Kate to do things his way. The two never seem to be truly happy with one another, yet they are dependent on one another. Despite their moral differences, they rely on each other when making political decisions, and to think outside of the box. Hal gives Kate some of her best ideas and vice versa.
Their relationship is one of the main focuses of season three. The two finally seem to separate once and for all. Agreeing to have a public marriage, but private divorce, a decision Kate has always wanted, but Hal has not. Despite the fact their relationship is so volatile, Hal truly loves Kate. This season also showcases flashbacks into how Hal and Kate got together and married, offering additional insight into their unconventional relationship.
The overarching conflict of season three is a Russian submarine containing a nuclear weapon is discovered off the coast of England. The discovery prompts Kate into action and she begins trying to persuade the Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge into letting the United States help in moving it to which Trowbridge firmly objects. He no longer trusts the United States after a British citizen, Margaret Roylin, died while in a CIA safehouse. Trowbridge suspects the CIA London station chief, Eidra Park, had something to do with the death. Trowbridge is insistent in asking the Chinese government for help moving the submarine, but later decides to bury it on the ocean floor. He seems to realize no singular nation should possess such a powerful weapon, to the relief of Kate, Hal, and President Penn. However, this victory is short lived. In the final minutes of the last episode, it is revealed to Kate that the submarine has gone missing before cutting to black, leaving off the show on yet another cliffhanger.
Fortunately, “The Diplomat” has been renewed for a fourth season by Netflix and is set to start production this fall. Although it does not have an official release date, it can be expected in late 2026 or early 2027. For now, viewers can form their own theories about what will happen and try to predict the impending chaos.
