Warning, spoilers! This article details the plot and finale of The Diplomat Season 3. If you haven’t seen it and don’t want to know what it contains, read no further.
It became a trademark of Deborah Kahn, creator of The Diplomate, and an extension of the series itself. He has a knack for ending his seasons with a twist that leaves us speechless. And the third season is no exception. Characters don’t learn from their mistakes, and that’s part of their charm.
What happens in season 3 of The Diplomat?
Grace Penn (Allison Janney) learns two stories at once: that she is now the President of the United States because the incumbent William Rayburn (Michael McKinney) has died; And that Rayburn had a heart attack while on the phone with Hal (Rufus Sewell).
Grace understands what this means: Hal calls Rayburn and tells him that it was he, his untrustworthy vice president, who orchestrated the bombing of a British submarine behind his back, killing 41 sailors.
So the new president is furious, especially with Kate, played by the always strong Keri Russell, because Kate was the messenger, but also because Grace always hated Kate, who wanted her position. And instead of naming Kate as vice president, Grace Penn nominates her husband, Hal.
Scenes from married life
This causes a crisis in the Wyler couple. Hal, in love with his brilliant and beautiful wife, declares that he will turn down the vice presidency if that’s what Kate wants, and Kate, though angry, tells him to take it. What else could he say?
Hallie is also upset: she understands how hard it is for Kate to see that she got the job instead of her, and that now she will have to take on the role of second lady of the USA, and not ambassador to England, where she is considered “the darling of England”.
Long story short, Grace Penn is sworn in, Kate says goodbye to the staff at the embassy, and then she and Hal head to the airport. Hal walks up the stairs to the plane, but Kate doesn’t follow him. He remains on the asphalt, teary-eyed. Hal waits a moment, their eyes meet, then he gets on the plane and leaves Kate.
Chain crisis situations
A few months pass and Hal takes Kate to England for their anniversary. But he’s in for a nasty surprise when he discovers that Kate is having an affair with young MI6 agent Callum Ellis (Aidan Turner) and seems happy.
Hal and Kate, who still have to share a room to keep up appearances, argue about it that night: they’ve agreed to stay married on the surface, but separated on the inside, so why the jealousy?
Meanwhile, CIA station chief Aidra Park (Ali Ahn) learns from a source that a Russian official believes an American was involved in the bombing of a British submarine. The source has been verified and it is clear that this information will be released to the public.
Kate, Hal, and Eydra fly to join Grace Penn at her home on Long Island, where they meet Grace Penn’s husband, Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford), who really hates what he calls “being first lady.” Todd doesn’t trust his wife or the new VP and seems almost jealous of her.
Saving the Transatlantic Alliance
The time comes when it is necessary to inform the British Prime Minister Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear), whose impulsive nature cannot plunge the two countries into an unprecedented political crisis. During a discreet meeting between the two leaders to seal their reconciliation, they face a new obstacle. A Russian submarine carrying a secret nuclear weapon is said to have sunk off the British coast…
We need to take care of it before China or Russia take it over. Especially since Trowbridge is getting closer to China. Grace Penn is tasked with apologizing to Trowbridge for what Trowbridge sees as Rayburn’s actions, after which the two countries can deal with a submarine and guns.
Only Trowbridge thinks that this is another manipulation of the Americans. But Kate has an idea to send an American submarine to photograph the Russian car and thereby prove their bona fides. Finally convinced that Trowbridge still refuses to help the Americans. But Hal has a plan…
Hull, Machiavelli’s pupil
Just then Hal whispers to Kate to talk to Trowbridge. Apparently they hatched a plan the night before where Kate would convince Trowbridge to bury the Russian submarine so that no nation could ever recover it. Trowbridge agrees to Kate’s plan.
It’s the teamwork that Hall and Kate have excelled at over the years and that makes their wedding so electrifying. When Hallie winks at Kate across the negotiating table, she’s clearly pleased.
Soon after, Kate breaks down and apologizes to Hal and begs him to take her back. he takes It is understood that she will give up her job in England and return to Washington with her husband.
As the cars load up, Calum pulls Kate aside and tells her that he thinks the Russians have stolen a secret weapon: the radiation level near the submarine has dropped by 60%, and the only possible explanation is that the weapon is no longer there. Kate tells Hal that the Russians found the submarine and took the weapons. Hal runs off, apparently to warn Grace Penn.
At this point, Todd Penn approaches Kate and asks if she’s worried about Hal and Grace Penn’s relationship. Kate says no, why does that bother her? But when he looks at Hal and Grace Penn standing together and whispering, he realizes: it wasn’t the Russians who stole the secret weapon, but Grace Penn and Hal.
“he knows”
He confronts Hal and sees everything: the British will consider this an act of war. The Russians will think that the British have stolen weapons and attacked. Additionally, Hal used Keith to convince Trowbridge to bury the submarine, implicating him in the plot.
Hal tells Kate to shut up, then walks over to Grace Penn. He asks if everything is okay, and Hal refuses. He replies, “He knows.”
Did Hal use Kate to get a nuke? Was he so angry with her that he seemed to want her back? Deborah Kahn answers these pressing questions Diversity :”Hal used Kate to make a deal to bury the submarine empty. But he wanted her back. He fully accepts it. I have a lot of sympathy for Hal; He tried so hard to let her go.”
But is he really bad? “There is nothing in the actions of the heroes of this series that we cannot justify” Deborah Kahn concludes, and with that, the audience returns to the long wait for season 4, which may finally answer this question.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
