The Diplomat's Shocking Finale: A Diplomatic Disaster or a Masterful Twist?
Spoiler Alert: This article discusses major plot points from Season 3 of 'The Diplomat'.
After three gripping seasons, the writers of 'The Diplomat' have delivered yet another jaw-dropping finale that will leave fans on the edge of their seats. But this time, the stakes are higher, and the consequences are far-reaching. So, do the US and the UK manage to mend their strained relationship, or does it all fall apart?
In the season's penultimate episode, 'Schrodinger's Wife', the show takes a bold turn as Nichol Trowbridge (played by Rory Kinnear) deviates from the plan, implicating the US and the late President Rayburn in the attack on the HMS Courageous. This revelation sets off a chain of events that could make or break the delicate diplomatic dance between the two nations.
At a joint press conference, Trowbridge and now-President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) announce Rayburn's involvement, but Kate (Keri Russell) and Hal (Rufus Sewell) have other plans. They work tirelessly to control the narrative, keeping the real mastermind, Penn, out of the spotlight.
As the US and the UK sit down to negotiate, Trowbridge is hesitant to cooperate. The US intends to leverage its knowledge of a Russian nuclear-powered submarine near England's coast. However, Trowbridge reveals he already knows about the Russian presence, but he's unaware of the submarine's deadly cargo—the Poseidon, a nuclear-powered drone capable of devastating the UK.
Here's where it gets controversial. Instead of seeking help from China, Penn offers US assistance, which Trowbridge dismisses by storming out. This forces Kate to involve her British spy boyfriend, Callum (Aidan Turner), whose source has been feeding crucial information about the threat. Kate pleads with Callum to convince Trowbridge of the danger, but this puts Callum's career, freedom, and source at risk.
In a risky move, Kate and the Americans decide to send a US submarine into British waters without permission, which Penn warns could be seen as an act of war. Their mission: to photograph the sunken Russian ship and prove the threat's legitimacy. Fortunately, this spares Callum from a dangerous mission.
With the photo evidence in hand, Penn and her team confront Trowbridge, who concedes his mistake but refuses US help. Kate suggests a solution inspired by Cold War history—burying the submarine and the Poseidon in concrete on the ocean floor, similar to the containment of a radioactive testing site on the Marshall Islands.
And this is the part most people miss—the Poseidon has vanished, possibly into Russian hands. Radiation levels around the submarine have dropped significantly since the agreement between the US and the UK, indicating the weapon's disappearance. Kate soon realizes that Hal and Penn are responsible, setting the stage for potential retaliation from Russia.
As the season concludes, Hal informs Penn that Kate knows, leading to a tense moment. The audience is left with a chilling question: Will the US's actions, including stealing a doomsday weapon, lead to an international crisis?
The ending of Season 3 sets the stage for an explosive Season 4, both literally and metaphorically. Will the US and the UK find common ground, or will their diplomatic efforts crumble? Only time will tell.
And don't forget, you can catch all the action of 'The Diplomat' Season 3 on Netflix, with subscription plans starting at $7.99/month for standard with ads and going up to $24.99/month for premium ad-free streaming in 4K UHD quality.
