Ever since the Nord Stream pipeline burst incident happened in 2022, the world has seen different viewpoints of whodunnit. Russia claims that MI6 was involved in this but who listens a Russian anyways. The CIA has been involved in many world events ranging from assassinations to toppling leadership of undesirable (for the US) foreign governments. After the Nord Stream sabotage (or say in the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict), the American oil was floated in the European markets and worldwide along with the weapons. It’s not very difficult to guess who benefitted. See the whodunnit clause is not always about what we will know but more about how much we will be allowed to know in the public domain. The Diplomat attempts to portray the backroom discussions on a similar premise.

The series starts with the lead character Kate Wyler (played by Keri Russell) embarking on a mission to the UK as an ambassador. The mission was to instill confidence in the British counterparts after the Persian Gulf incident where 41 British sailors were killed. The obvious enemy was Iran and to which the British government was keen to set an example. Wyler knew that Iran could not be responsible as it would obviously push the US to take adverse steps. The entire whodunnit premise takes twists and turns in a hilarious way, but like in any Hollywood movie or series, the obvious whodunnit is always somehow an independent Russian who is not connected to the Russian government directly.

While Mr. Hal Wyler (a former ambassador) tries everything in his book to reconcile with his wife Kate Wyler (a recent ambassador), the series pivots its twists and turns on this failed marriage giving it shades of a cute little family drama. The premise of a political thriller with a pinch of family drama is exciting enough to call for its second installment. The series has a lot to offer in the second season given the twist in the last episode. The second season would or rather should focus on independent decisions and actions taken by Kate Wyler considering she is left with no choice.

There’s no second thoughts about the acting, screenplay, direction, and the background score. All works in a way to make it even more watchable.