User Reviews

Pros: the primary characters are not parents Cons: extremely soap opera Political thriller that does just enough to keep you engaged.

An interesting story, not my favorite but it keeps my interest, its fun to watch. The actors do a very good job.

Keri Rusell is magic and the script is smart and witty. But the story gets bogged down in the relationship between the ambassador and Hal and there is no levity, as the subplots are equally dour and serious.

For fans of House of Cards. Although it has a more serious tone, the romantic dynamics add a touch of unlikely, unreal fantasy. But it's greatly written, and the cast is MAGNIFICENT!

Watched the first season and found it too Sorkin-esque for my taste. Would have preferred more depth in the characters and less of the labored banter that sounds nothing like real people talk.

Yes, it's exaggerated. Yes, it's overly dramatic, But it's well-acted and extremely entertaining.

Keri Russell stalks around the upper levels of US and British government, shouting at everyone, because she is the only intelligent person, evidently, in a sea of absolute idiots. You see, she *needs* to shout at them to make them understand that she is always right and they are always wrong, that she is the person who cares about the important things, and they are the shortsighted people who don't. In this idiotic script, the characters around her - including the President of the United States (!) - are duly chastened by her abrasive verbal upbraidings, and they turn to her and say, "Gee, you're right. I never realized that I was wrong this whole time, and your shouting has made me see that you're right and I'm wrong, so let's just do what you say we should do." Somehow, the people who make this show think that this is what constitutes diplomacy. It is the dumbest, most insufferable thing imaginable.

First season, first episode, first scene: "We built something with thousands of soldiers in Kabul." Seems to be a comedy.

Boring word salad acting in a show that could have been good. It's annoying when the wokeness is all so predictable and just gets dull. The 2 main characters are very good with the excellent Ato Essandoh. Just gets too hammy and too predictable fast.

I really enjoyed the politics. But I found the relationships (bickering, love triangles, will-they-wont-they) tiringly cliche. I'm interested to see where the political story goes.

I thought Russell was really good in The Americans, but she really nails it in this show! She really has NEVER been better, and who doesn't love anything with Rufus Sewell!

A segunda temporada de A Diplomata surpreende ao elevar a qualidade narrativa em um ritmo acelerado e com dois episódios a menos, provando que um roteiro bem construído consegue cativar o espectador com menos tempo de tela. Debora Cahn retoma a intensidade dos diálogos e aprofunda a “guerra de poder” nos bastidores políticos, entregando uma trama ainda mais intrigante e complexa. Cada episódio traz novas camadas ao mistério, adicionando suspeitos e revelações, além de responder perguntas com outras, garantindo que o público se mantenha atento e **** o terreno já bem estabelecido na primeira temporada, a narrativa desta nova leva se permite explorar seus personagens com maior liberdade. O roteiro, simples em estrutura, mas impactante na execução, guia o espectador em um verdadeiro “xadrez político” onde cada nova descoberta vira o jogo. As reviravoltas são bem distribuídas, mantendo o suspense ao longo da temporada e permitindo uma imersão maior na investigação e nas tramas de poder.O elenco principal brilha, mantendo o mesmo nível da temporada passada e garantindo a coesão entre os personagens. Poucas, mas relevantes adições ao casting ajudam a solidificar o arco, enquanto a química do elenco principal, em especial, se destaca. A segunda temporada também assume uma abordagem menos dramática, equilibrando o peso da política com humor leve, o que torna a série mais envolvente e menos densa. A dinâmica dos personagens é, sem dúvida, um dos pontos altos, facilitando a conexão com o público.A temporada mostra como uma série bem desenvolvida pode se reinventar sem perder sua essência. A Diplomata não apenas alcança, mas supera as expectativas, e finaliza com um desfecho surpreendente que prepara o público para o que pode vir a seguir. Entre um roteiro ágil, atuações fortes e uma narrativa instigante, A Diplomata confirma seu lugar como uma das melhores séries do ano.

This show does a good job of doing that thing where the last 10 seconds of an episode pushes you to the next episode. Very, VERY entertaining. As a young someone that dreams of a high-profile career in diplomacy (and I am sorta on my way there), this show is ridiculous lol. It's outrageously silly nonsense at times, like momentarily turning your speakers on MAX during your favorite song and it hurting your ears. But sometimes that volume increase comes and you are like "oh yeah, this IS my favorite song," and you are just loving it -- that what the best moments of this show feel like. I wish this show did more foreign policy stuff and less House of Cards political intrigue, or Mad Men steamy soapiness , or Sorkin smarmy snarky quirky retorts. Overall, foreign policy, diplomacy and geopolitics is merely the setting of this show; the drama is the driver. And to speak specifically of political worldview of this show: I like that Americans are getting a popular show on Netflix that is currently trending #1 that puts out important messages such as "hey, it's not always Iran" and "hey, it's not always Russia," but the show doesn't do enough Western introspection. How do we as a public reconcile our identity with the sins of our Western fathers? How can we make a show interesting, while we're talking about the military every other time we talk about our so-called adversaries? That might just be me wanting everything from every piece of art I experience though. Diplomacy isn't just deciding whether or not to pull a trigger, running secret intel sources and life or death decisions... it's also the lovely crash of two different cultures doing their best to understand each others, talking to foreigners on their own lands, and compromise so that you can both serve your nation the best you can. The show is too English-peoples focused. It's hard to see a show called "The Diplomat" that is more a who-dunnit with your standard baddies list, as opposed to a show that more accurately represents our communications with foreign government officials. The main characters are CIA, embassy staff, Washington and London for Christ's sake lol.. so while extremely entertaining, the most damning critique I have of The Diplomat is that it feels like a neoliberal exceptionist's version what diplomacy is -- talking to yourself and people that look like you about topics already well-trodden, as opposed to talking to foreigners about complexity and working through that together. It often feels like a show about intelligence operations instead of diplomats and foreign service officers now that I think about it more! To be fair, the show treads being a UK ambassador fairly well given the setting, it's just a bit contrived to pick London for a show called The Diplomat, but that might just be me wanting more from modern Hollywood than they are willing to spend atm. Keri Russell (who kills it btw, awesome job) in Central Asia might have actually been a better show than her going to London though. And, you know, I think the story could have more overtly put out the message that there are alternatives to geostrategic military force balancing. Like the pre-season finale "this is my game board" thing just left a bad taste in my mouth like "oh God, is this what people think foreign policy is?" We aren't playing Risk and the stakes aren't always war. Foreign policy is people trying to coexist, deconflict and work together all around the planet... so the show foregoes some of its soul to make everything feel excitingly violent. And as a last word, I am so tired of shows slipping in references of "adversarial" nations' leaders being bloodthirsty, or authoritarian, or wantonly violent. Like get off your high-horse, Israel exists and we support them lol, Putin and Xi are people we can talk to if we really wanted to. You don't hate person sitting across from you just because you are playing chess. Different cultures produce different societies and different organizational patterns and I think its culturally paternalism to always be so judging, condescending and simplistic, like can we please get off our high horse! Colonialism and post-colonial nation buidling has its own fair share of body bags. Thanks for reading, and so sorry that was probably long af. Good show overall, just that you will like this show less the more you care about foreign policy and the less of a "democracy is the best, go West, go West, we make the rules and everyone should listen to our version of moralizing" kinda person you are.

If you're prone to being insulted by shows where characters continuously insert unrealistic and unnecessary dialogue in order to explain to viewers what just happened, or why something happened, don't bother with this one. I'm personally not a fan of shows that assume their audience is incapable of understanding plot twist. Russell, in particular, overplays her part condescendingly, at every turn. People in everyday life simply do not communicate in this word salad Aaron Sorkin-like way. It's annoying. This show COULD have actually been decent.

Although overreaching at times, most of its hits land, whether the stage it sets is a high stakes thriller, an office drama, or even a rom com. Strong Sorkin undertones with fast paced, sharp dialog, which comes to little surprise since Debora Cahn is a West Wing/Homeland alum. Russell and supporting cast are convincing, for the most part.

A good political thriller with unexpected comedy here and there. The acting is on par with what you'd expect from a series like this. The central mystery involves you in the story from the beginning.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Terrific dialog and pacing reminiscent of The West Wing (same writer). Some of the story lines are a bit far fetched, but still entertaining. The acting is first rate. I can only hope they have future episodes planned.

Like someone else said: Madame Secretary, but i would suggest, worse, more cartoon-ish with poor writing. Keri Russel -who i thought was really good in The Americans- gives (imv) an exaggerated, hackneyed performance. Whole thing is trying too hard. Surprised it gets the praise it does. But glad others are enjoying it.

Very entertaining show. Good writing with some nice slightly surreal humour thrown in - plus some great quick-fire verbal exchanges. Top-notch acting from all concerned helps the scripts move along nicely. This shows owes a lot to "in the thick of it" and "in the loop" in terms of inspirations. Like everything though, it's far from perfect. The semi-serious political backdrop theme is stretching reality to breaking point and is arguably absurd. Of course, it may be intentionally so. However, a highly belligerent UK trying to **** the US into a gulf war is presumably trying to be ironic given recent history but as a storyline it doesn't quite work. Quite a few of the UK politics portrayals seem to be essentially US political cultural norms just with UK actors, a Union Jack and British accents stuck on top. It's not quite convincing. The big weakness though is the portrayal of the relationships(s). The ambassador and her husband have a relationship that's comically amusing but also slightly irritating and impossibly unlikely. The attraction between her and the UK minister (who had a wife that obligingly died just before things started - yes, that stale one has been wheeled out of storage again) is also awful and infantile. 1940s style "we've had two sips of whisky so are now instantly giggly & drunk just a few seconds after someone died in front of us and whoops, I've spilled some on your blouse so please let me wipe it off with a hanky thereby touching your breast..." Yawn - teenager level stuff really. It's not very sophisticated penning and seems painfully out of context with the remaining writing which is pretty much excellent. In spite of those few flaws, it's a celeverly crafted piece of work supported by some good acting. A welcome addition to the viewing list.

Tries being clever does not succeed. Tries being political thriller does not succeed.

"The Diplomat" (S01, 8 eps, 43-55 mins, Netflix) is a really good political thriller. It's got all the big chess pieces, the US president, Secy of State, Ambassador to the UK, the UK prime minister, etc - though no royals, nope, not here. There are several story threads in this pathetically short 8-ep season - yes, after four years of streaming, it's time to bring back 20+ episode seasons, not these dainty little larks that disappear in a wisp and may never come back or take their time after one or two years. Anyway, the main thread is on the world stage with a terror attack on a UK carrier which becomes a season long whodunnit. The pace is good, production values are good, it's a strong first season. But you know what I and others can't get past is that Keri Russell, who's the star and one of five exec producers, basically plays a man, and this is NOT an exaggeration. She ditches her femininity, hates dresses and blouses that show her top, talks in a deep voice, wears a scowl the entire time as she wears black pants/tops, refers to her husband who she basically hate/loves and is the former ambassador to UK, as "the wife" and even has HIM saying that! It's this CRAP that the viewing public can't stand being forced at them. But you know, even how sadly laughable all that is, it could've worked if she had stature, but she's a petite little 95-lb lady standing just over 5-ft totally overshadowed by all the other characters standing near 6-ft or taller. It's so absurdist. Again, fine show, would watch a sophomore season if/when it ever returns but the way she plays "Kate" detracts from what could've been an outstanding first season and is reflected in my "7" rating.

It's basically the Netflix version of "Madame Secretary" except the times it's trying to be "House of Cards".

The Diplomat plays like network TV on a streaming platform that permits as many **** phrases as the writers please. In fact, the emphatic overuse of the word is probably the most personality that the script offers. Keri Russell appears to have left her sense of humour in her trailer, while Rufus Sewell revels in his playful, opaque characterization. The series is a C or D level West Wing, a step down from the less engaging Madam Secretary. The final episode is certainly fodder for a second season, so we'll have to wait until the ratings and the kingmakers green light what is hardly necessary or enlightening.

Solid political thriller that will help fill the hole left by Homeland and The Americans. Keri is excellent as always. It’s well-balanced with suspense and humor, and is extremely timely. The excellent finale will leave you wanting more.

Mixed bag. Throws at you believable international political scenario (which is interesting) and two main great actors (really great!), but then 'netflixize' it to adjust to some kind of algorithm to please everyone watching. So the diplomats innerworkings become unrealistic soon enough and office melodrama becomes tiring and uninteresting. Plot twists becomes just silly. Promising show wants to be everything in one and in the end becomes diluted. Surprised some critics claim it's 'extraordinary smart' (Chicago Tribune) or 'rich stew' (San Frrisco Chronicle) - did we really lower our expectations so much or that's just nexus of critics and producers helping each other here? It's serviceable fun sometimes, but really helps you can fast forward scenes - otherwise would be too dull and painful to watch. If it's really extraordinary smart, rather 'new smart', nothing else.

This show is poor. The premise is daft, the characters ridiculous and it doesn't know whether it's an espionage thriller, a comedy, an Aaron Sorkin soap opera or whatever. The lead is a serious diplomat who wants to heal Afghanistan, but instead she's sent to London as the ambassador. She resents this because it's ceremonial - but she still has to solve the world's problems while reluctantly taking part in various luxurious activities while being served by various amusing flunkies ... Meanwhile her marriage may be on the rocks, the president is teeing her up to be his VP.... The whole thing is nonsense and fails on every front The cast has Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Rory kinnear and Michael McKean which makes the show's mediocrity surprising. Netflix has churned out a show that feels like it was written by committee or algorithm.