The Diplomat’s second season premieres October 31 on Netflix.
By Elazar Abrahams
The Diplomat’s freshman outing was one of television’s strongest political thrillers in years, and an explosive conclusion (both figuratively and literally) left lots of fallout for the series to handle in the next batch of episodes. Sadly, the sophomore season doesn’t quite match the sharpness of what came before, but there’s still enough excitement to satiate.
Keri Russell remains a great anchor for the show, turning in a stellar performance as Kate Wyler, the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who once again needs to balance her personal and professional lives, each coming with a plethora of scandal and hijinks. Her chemistry with Rufus Sewell, who plays her husband Hal, is just as electric and central to The Diplomat as it was before, but with added tests of loyalty. Their tug of war marriage remains a highlight of the series.
Somehow, despite a shorter format than the first season, season 2 feels slower in parts, especially compared to the riveting pace viewers grew accustomed to. The plot still crackles with crafty government maneuvers and nuanced character work, but the middle episodes in particular seem to tread water. And given the way the finale ends, the season overall feels more like an interlude, bridging a gap to storylines far more exciting just over the horizon.
The last stretch of the six-episode season is given a boost with the addition of Allison Janney as the Vice President. She brings a commanding energy to her role, and her clashes with Russel again spotlight what the show does best, which is the muddying of the personal and professional in the world of government.
I give The Diplomat Season 2 a B.
TV and City 