The Diplomat Season Premiere: The President Is Dead, Long Live the President

by

Hello and welcome back to *The Diplomat* for season three! Get ready for another season filled with unexpected twists and turns – you can expect something surprising to happen in every episode.

The new season starts just ten seconds after the last one ended, so let’s quickly recap what happened before Kate (Keri Russell) runs across the lawn after hearing about President Rayburn’s (Michael McKean) death. A lot was happening – complex plans were being made – but everything was thrown into disarray by the sudden loss of the president and the new president taking office. Kate tried to convince Grace Penn (Allison Janney) she wasn’t after the vice-presidency and wouldn’t reveal anything about Grace’s involvement in the attack on the HMS *Courageous*, but Grace didn’t believe her. Meanwhile, in Britain, Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) had agreed to secretly investigate a conspiracy within his own government, but hadn’t started yet, and Dennison (David Gyasi) was once again supporting Trowbridge, despite his uncertain position.

This episode features two major plot developments with surprising turns. It’s remarkable to see Grace go from viewing Hal Wyler as a hindrance to offering him a key leadership position – and kudos to Netflix for keeping that change a secret in the trailers! Similarly shocking is Margaret Roylin’s decision to end her life with a medication overdose, presented with a quiet dignity that initially downplays the impact it will have. Both events are deeply impactful and dramatically change the direction of the season, leaving viewers with much to consider.

It’s unclear why Grace suddenly changed her mind about Hal, especially since the story focuses so heavily on Kate. However, President Penn likely has a strategic reason. Hal’s extensive and well-known service record would make him easily acceptable to Congress. Since someone is going to be challenging Penn’s authority anyway, she might as well put Hal in a position of power while keeping Kate close. Simply put, Hal is a man, and recent elections suggest voters are hesitant about a female president. He has the experience and charisma to lead, and could even become Grace’s running mate in the future if things go well.

Hal is unpredictable and often acts impulsively, which is immediately apparent at the start of the new season. As Kate rushes towards a secure room at Winfield House, she’s thinking quickly and instructs Hal to share as little information as possible during his questioning by Rayburn’s doctors and an FBI agent.

It’s unfortunate that a crisis is what brings out Kate’s strong leadership qualities. However, she truly excels under pressure, immediately taking charge by securing the embassy, calling for additional police support, and clarifying that the usual safe room isn’t a secure communication space. She quickly directs the team to create a temporary, secure area for confidential phone calls.

Could the Emmys create a category for non-living things? I’m joking, but the SCIF – it’s a very solid, reliable set piece – is endlessly amusing because characters keep dramatically pulling back its tent flap to sneak out for private talks, then return. Janney and Russell are both fantastic at physical comedy, and I’d love to see more of those goofy, lighthearted moments throughout the season.

As soon as everyone gathered in the secure room, Grace immediately demanded to know who Rayburn had been with and spoken to before he died. This led Kate to reluctantly mention Hal. She quickly tried to steer the conversation toward the idea that getting Hal out of his current meeting would benefit everyone, and she pulled Grace aside for a private conversation to emphasize this. Soon after, Kate asked Eidra to excuse Hal from his debriefing. I was struck by how loyal Kate was to Grace in this moment. While Hal could get into trouble if their conversation became public, the President of the United States could potentially face treason charges – which seemed like a far more serious consequence, even to me as a non-lawyer.

Once everyone returned to the embassy – a success largely due to Kate’s thorough and immediate assessment of its superior security and presentation compared to Winfield House – we learn more about Hal’s involvement in the chaotic morning and Kate’s attempts to shield him, calm Grace, and ensure the rest of the day went smoothly. We also see Grace absorbing everything Hal tells her as she comes to terms with her unexpected new role as President.

Hal is upset and feels responsible for Rayburn’s death, but he doesn’t regret telling the former president that his top aide had acted recklessly. Despite his attempts at appearing calm and diplomatic, Hal is deeply committed to following the Constitution. Kate reminds Grace that while she can get revenge on the Wylers, she has more pressing problems to handle right now.

Okay, so in the last few minutes of the episode, it’s pretty obvious Kate’s going to be Grace’s VP! And Hal? He’s *totally* in campaign mode for her – it’s hilarious and sweet how much he’s pushing for her, really leaning into that supportive husband/manager role. He even tells Stuart to make sure Kate gets on the plane with Grace and gives Grace this whole speech about how vital Kate will be to her presidency. It’s just…a lot, but you can tell he really believes in her!

Throughout this episode, small scenes build the case for Hal’s point of view. A particularly strong moment is Kate’s constant pushing for Grace to go to the embassy, and the charming scene where they fashion a makeshift neck covering from a shirt found in a drawer. It’s significant that Grace asks for help, and Kate provides it quickly and without unnecessary conversation. Grace needs an outfit for her inauguration that doesn’t look too formal, and Kate understands that the president looking her best will benefit everyone – both within the White House and in terms of the country’s image abroad.

These scenes are what truly hold the show together. While the dramatic plot points drive the headlines and spark frantic conversations, it’s the smaller details – like deciding where to hold the inauguration, the meaning behind what we see, and the interactions between Billie, Grace’s security, and her staff – that make the show feel both exciting and real, despite its over-the-top nature. The hustle to find a judge, robes, and a Bible adds to this effect.

I’m completely hooked on ‘Little Moments,’ and right now, Nicol Trowbridge as the Prime Minister is just killing it! Seriously, nobody delivers their lines with as much joy or gets as many laughs as Kinnear. He had me absolutely doubled over with two bits in the premiere – his super-serious take on ‘Cleopatra’s Lament’ as a way to process Rayburn’s death, and his completely heartfelt delivery of ‘Jesus did not write the Bible.’ It’s such a tricky thing to be both totally sincere and hilariously silly, but he nails it. I’ve already watched this episode three times, and those moments just keep getting funnier each time!

Trowbridge points out a difficult situation for Grace: if she seems calm, people will think she’s heartless, but any sign of sadness will be seen as emotional instability. This harsh assessment is followed by a shocking announcement – Trowbridge intends to gain custody of Margaret. After spending much of last season effectively held captive by the CIA, Kate and Eidra are eager to be rid of her, but handing her over to Trowbridge doesn’t seem like a good solution anymore. Several people – Nicol and Lydia Trowbridge, Austin Dennison, and Tom Libby from MI6 – are aware of Margaret’s involvement in the bombing of the *Courageous*, and her only leverage is Grace’s participation in that flawed plan. Now that things have changed, what reason does Margaret have to stay silent?

Kate’s quick decision to offer Margaret asylum, with Grace’s approval, seems like a good plan, but it quickly becomes problematic. While it makes sense Kate can’t reveal the full reason for the offer to Eidra, pushing Grace to make it before getting confirmation from Langley feels reckless and insensitive. Margaret isn’t naive, and even with Hal present, she’s deeply disturbed by these events, preferring to face the consequences in the U.K. – a significant statement considering she was nearly killed by Trowbridge just days prior. Ultimately, her choice to end her own life is a desperate attempt to regain control. This act of self-destruction is shocking and clearly demonstrates her rejection of her involvement in the bombing of the HMS Courageous, and it’s the most dramatic twist in the episode – until Grace unexpectedly nominates Hal as her vice-president.

Intrigue and Crumpets

• Is the portable SCIF The Diplomat’s answer to The Americans’ mail robot of blessed memory?

Janney delivered a fantastic performance, convincingly showing Grace’s initial shock at the news, quickly processing it, and then immediately focusing on what comes next. It was a brilliant, eight-second display of physical acting skill.

The scene echoes an element from *The West Wing*: just like President Bartlet’s second inauguration, a Gutenberg Bible is used during Grace’s swearing-in ceremony. It’s a fun nod to that earlier moment in the show’s fourth season.

During the inauguration, Eidra and Stuart held hands, which was a lovely moment! I’m a big fan of Ali Ahn and Ato Essandoh as a couple, and I’m excited to see what happens next.

• We get exactly one brief scene with Bradley Whitford playing Grace’s husband, Todd Penn.

Read More

2025-10-16 11:56