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- Netflix
- Feb 20, 2023
- Netflix
- Feb 20, 2023
Summary Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, tries to handle international crises and her marriage to fellow diplomat Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) in this political drama from Debora Cahn.
Created By: Debora Cahn
- Netflix
- Feb 20, 2023
- Netflix
- Feb 20, 2023
Summary Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, tries to handle international crises and her marriage to fellow diplomat Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) in this political drama from Debora Cahn.
Created By: Debora Cahn
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
75
76% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
24% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
75
76% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
24% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The series is extraordinarily smart, it understands the value of comedy within a dramatic context and it moves at a hell of a clip. ... “The Diplomat” is the best in its class.
The Diplomat isn't perfect — it's not directed in a way that will garner much attention, and some of the plotting is a tad predictable — but the show is more than captivating for eight episodes. In fact, the main draw here is that the show is tightly scripted, well acted, and doesn't overstay its welcome.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
6.7
66% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
8% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
26% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
6.7
66% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
8% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
26% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
Absolutely fantastic show. The relatable and grounded characters, Sorkin-style witty dialogue and the well-thought out story twists that never get too ludicrous, elevate this notable above similar shows like Madame Secretary. I work in foreign policy, and while this is of course far exaggerated fiction, the overall tone and mood was realistic and well captured. I found every single episode absolutely delightful. Can’t wait for Season 2!
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SEASON 1
It’s intelligent and soapy and loopy all at once, a show of many influences that nonetheless walks at its own weird gait.
Russell and Sewell are worth the price of admission, and if you treat The Diplomat as the story of a really screwed up marriage, rather than a tale of international intrigue, you’ll come away pleased.
“The Diplomat” loses a bit of its luster every time Russell and Sewell are kept apart too long, which becomes a more glaring issue when the international crisis reaches its climax in the final two episodes. Even so, I can’t help rooting for a second season of ”The Diplomat,” which ends with a satisfyingly twist and game-changing, if emotionally manipulative cliffhanger. As long as you go into your next binge looking for a series more akin to “Scandal” than “Bodyguard,” you’re in for an entertaining ride.
The supporting cast is solid, from Sewell’s smarmy Hal on down. The show has a mild sense of humor that can alleviate some of the seriousness. But there’s nothing about the show that makes it a buzzy must-watch.
For every grounded and harrowing development it introduces, The Diplomat becomes a hollow theatrical performance based upon shaky dramatic developments that only end up undercutting the tension it seemed to be going for. ... Through all of this noise, Russell still manages to find some way to bring emotion out of the clunky story.
A smart show in an age of simplistic dross, and one with a convincing air of authenticity. The plot is almost real-time in its references to current events, and people with a solid knowledge of American foreign affairs may recognize some of the real-world people that clearly influenced the creation of the the main characters. The acting is excellent, and the production quality seamless. I was quite quite annoyed to realize that I had just watched the season finale.
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SEASON 1
I just think it can be more organised and providing more details to the viewers. The acting is good though. (I would like to give a 6.5 out of 10).Season 2 is coming soon and I hope it would be better.
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SEASON 1
I understand that displaying a hard working strong-willed female character who does not wash her hair is forward thinking, but then she is also consistently abrasively attacking anyone who can help her, repeatedly betraying the one person who seems to genuinely appreciate her talents, and then going back to the man who obviously lies and manipulates her multiple times per day. The protagonist's defining leadership characteristic seems to be talking down to everyone who does not immediately agree with her point of view and want to do her bidding. She just does not seem to develop. The rhythm of these exchanges is so consistent and repetitive it becomes comedic, so it was sort of fun to predict the ups and downs of each conversation. Her: "You are stupid, I was in the trenches! Children dying before my eyes!" Other: "Gosh that would be breaking the rules!" Her: "Well the rules were made by idiots! Now do it my way!"
There is a good amount of time spent showing her shoving food in her face like an animal (why?) and quite a bit of allusion to her not bathing consistently. I guess that does happen and I would also be critical if she was perfect, gorgeous, well mannered and well dressed at all times, but it seems really overdone and unrealistic. We get it! These things are not her priority!
There are a few oddly out of place scenes in later episodes that seem to be attempting to show the characters attending to the little things in life in awkward ways (they are still just people I guess!), one being a midnight "raid" by husband and wife on the kitchen pantry as if they had not eaten in years. Such fun and frivolity! Cramming pies and tarts in our faces with no utensils!! You scoundrels, still just kids at heart! Ugh, so very forced and out of place.
Finally the supposed undeniable attraction between the main character and another central character (whom she has betrayed professionally multiple times to get her way) really has no chemistry whatsoever. It does not make sense, feels really forced, and when they are physically close to each other I actually cringe... it seems like the actors both are not feeling it.
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SEASON 1
It's ridiculous to score a show like this 0 (0r 10) out of 10. It's not incompetent and it's also not in any way witty or original.
What it is, is a really mediocre show with predictable characters, stupid storylines and a central premise and character that are no where near as cute or clever as the writers seem to believe. This is Aaron Sorkin lite; it fails as comedy or satire and it fails as espionage.
I have no idea why it's getting such good reviews.
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SEASON 1
Another victim of 'netflixation' by algorithms catering to all, instead trying to find it own footing. Promising premise at first, then diluted. Not really an espionage, neither Sorkin's White House bored down to some office melodrama. Fortunately you can keep fast forwarding those parts. Script feels like written by AI, pretends to be smart, but quite empty and meaningless. Critics calling it 'extraordinarily smart' are either joking or not too smart.
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SEASON 1