In The Diplomat, actions have consequences, as events in the past two seasons dictate some lasting political dynamics. During the first season, American Ambassador to Britain Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) survives one of two terrorist attacks. She eventually finds out that one of the masterminds for both is then Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney). Kate’s husband Hal inadvertently kills the president, making Grace the new President, making some things quite different. On the one hand, Kate is aware of an open door policy for Russians wishing to defect Westward. On the other, Kate is cleaning up the messes of her husband, now VP Hal (Rufus Sewell).

Janney’s presence from last season gives this show West Wing vibes and that strengthens during this third season. That’s because the person playing Grace’s husband Todd is Obama fan Bradley Whitford, having a lot of fun when he’s on screen. Despite a growing cast, The Diplomat inches towards tonal change instead of shocking viewers. It doesn’t neglect the characters present from the beginning, like CIA’s London chief Eidra Park (Ali Ahn). Eidra and Kate don’t work together in the strictest sense but the show captures the rapport of two people witnessing change. The character speak similarly, showing 90s archetypes but within a timeline better than the one we have, but still with problems.

As it depicts said political trash fire, the changes within The Diplomat‘s tone usually comes via Kate. She’s either unexpectedly happy because of or despite losing Hal because he chooses to be the VP. An episode later, she spends a minute crying alone before facing the world’s political issues. Another aspect that the show touches on is Kate’s love life, as volatile as the the world she’s mending. Getting Hal out of the way because he’s in DC now means that she can pursue romances once again. The show depicts her with Aidan Dennison (David Gyasi) without turning into ‘Kate in London’.

The Diplomat’s mix of politics and romance is valid – people still talk about past emperor’s interesting love lives. Another reason why the romantic plots exist is to show off the characters’ chemistry with each other. Keri Russell makes for a great scene partner with the rest of the cast, David Gyasi and Rufus Sewell particularly. Chemistry also works when Russell shares scenes with Kate Wyler’s platonic coworker frenemies like Grace. During the first episode, Kate helps Grace make a top so that the latter looks good during her swear-in. The acting here reinforce the show’s worldview, that some people still care to mitigate political catastrophes.

Stream the third season of The Diplomat on Netflix.