'The Diplomat' Review: Keri Russell stuns in Netflix's engaging political drama laced with romance
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix is known for several political dramas and is set to expand its catalog with its latest series ‘The Diplomat’. The series primarily focuses on a diplomat named Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) who is given a task to decrease the problems between two nations so that a war can be avoided. However, a lot of people believe that she is unsuited for this job because she wasn’t the one who was supposed to do this difficult job. Now, as soon as you hear the word ‘Diplomat’, you know that the show is going feature gritty storylines about a person trying to do anything and everything to avert a war.
A political drama will be incomplete without having references to whatever is happening around the world and ‘The Diplomat’ is no different. The series is stuffed with many themes, from international relations to policy to relationships, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and more. For making a successful political drama, you need to make it feel like it’s relevant. So, you have to be on your toes and you need to give proper attention to every little detail. That’s where ‘The Diplomat’ turns out to be the victor. There is no doubt that it will take a few episodes to figure out how the aforementioned title distinguishes itself from the other international productions based on politics, but once the series starts gathering steam, you realize that it is much better than everything that you have seen before in this sub-genre.
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So, Kate Wyler has a lot of experience in crisis zones and she is set to go to Kabul, Afghanistan, for her first ambassadorial posting. However, the plan gets changed and she is sent to the UK for an unknown reason. She didn’t know why she was being sent to the UK, but soon she realizes that this needs her attention. A British warship, the HMS Courageous, has been attacked off the coast of Iran by a person unknown, but the entire world assumes that the attack was carried out by the Iranians. The attack was retaliation to something that the American government did a few years back. Kate has been sent there to calm everyone down and make people understand that war is not the answer. At first, she poses for British Vogue wearing dresses and spends her days drinking tea. However, she doesn’t take much time in changing her gears and start her work. But things go downhill when she found herself tangled in a conspiracy that threatens war between three nations. On the other hand, she is also trying to save a failed marriage to her beloved husband, Hal (Rufus Sewell).
'The Diplomat' is engaging than most international projects
‘The Diplomat’ works because of its engaging storytelling and the way it moves between genres with so much enthusiasm. The writing team did a wonderful job in mixing all the elements of life together and presenting them in a way that’s not just riveting but thought-provoking as well. The most extraordinary moments of the show happen when people are sitting in dining halls or private chambers to talk about the current situation and real politics. Amongst all of that, the show also focuses on Kate’s tumultuous life and how helpless she feels once her failing marriage also becomes the talk of the town.
Creator Debora Cahn has done a tremendous job in creating a show that’s more than just a show about a diplomat doing serious things. No, the Netflix series is quite witty and there are moments where viewers will realize that she has taken inspiration from her previous projects such as ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Homeland’.
As far as acting is concerned, Keri Russell gives a scintillating performance as a diplomat who is torn between two of the most important things in her life: averting a war and saving her marriage. She is obviously great and no one could have played the role of Kate Wyler better. However, it’s Rufus Sewell who steals the show with his mesmerizing acting skills. Both actors do a phenomenal job of bringing forward a story that is filled with thorns.
Is 'The Diplomat' worth watching?
All in all, ‘The Diplomat’ is one of those rare international productions that gets almost everything right. It’s smart, it’s funny, and it’s exceptionally good. The writing is crisp and will keep you hooked if you are patient enough. You might find it slow in the beginning, but if you stick, you’d soon realize that you are watching something special.
Highly recommended!
**** stars for ‘The Diplomat’.
'The Diplomat' is currently streaming on Netflix.
