Season 2 of The Diplomat unraveled the mystery of who attacked a British submarine, why, and what the political repercussions would be. Keri Russell’s Kate Wyler led the way through the ups and downs of international politics, slowly unwinding the complicated conspiracy behind the matter.
By the last episode of the season, Kate was ready to embrace her potential role as Vice President of the United States, while her husband, Hal (played by Rufus Sewell), went rogue to try to make it happen. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) hedges on his political future, Stuart Heyford (Ato Essandoh) gets the last word with former girlfriend Eidra Park (Ali Ahn), and Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney in her latest political role) sees her career drastically change in an instant.
In the end, the Season 2 finale of The Diplomat brought the story arc full circle and left audiences with a cliffhanger that changed the game entirely. Here’s what went down and how The Diplomat upped the ante for Season 3.
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge Backtracked on What to Do — Again
Heading into the season finale of The Diplomat, British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge looks as though he is willing to have MI6 investigate the conspiracy behind the bombing of HMS Courageous. The advice from his wife, Lydia (Pandora Colin), and his frenemy, Foreign Minister Austin Dennison (David Gaysi), to resign has left Trowbridge visibly disappointed and bitter about what he needs to do. When it comes time to tell Tom Libby (Richard Dillane) from the British intelligence office about what happened to HMS Courageous, Trowbridge balks.
Unwilling to wager his future or that of his country’s government, Trowbridge does make one decision — to appoint US Vice President Grace Penn to the position of “nuclear czar.” Penn, who looked to be exiting the administration, is suddenly given the chance to stay in office. Ultimately, Trowbridge steps back from this decision, too, failing to announce the choice at the formal dinner at Blenheim Palace.
The state of British politics was left decidedly unclear. Trowbridge’s future continues to be in flux and his relationship with Dennison remains on a proverbial roller coaster. There’s no indication what will happen to Margaret Roylin (Celia Imrie), Trowbridge’s unofficial political advisor.
A Lesson in International Politics That Kate Wyler Will Never Forget
Kate Wyler, now dressed for the job she wants and not the job she used to have, comes to a decision of her own in The Diplomat season finale: she wants to be the next Vice President of the United States. After resisting the idea all along, Kate knows she has to take the position to get rid of sitting Vice President Grace Penn after Hal told her Penn was behind the bombing of HMS Courageous.
Of course, when Kate tells Stuart about her decision, he’s elated. Sans crutches and a new man of sorts, Stuart tells Eidra that he may go with Kate to Washington, DC. He also tells her they shouldn’t have broken up, but she can’t handle such an intense conversation at the workplace. Stuart seems to understand this, but he later tells Eidra — again in the workplace — that she’ll be alone forever if she doesn’t start embracing relationships.
Back at the political table, Hal and Kate tell Penn they know about what she has done and, in a huff, the Vice President gives Kate a stern reminder to stay in her lane. Penn lays out why the Scottish independence movement was potentially disastrous for the US, schooling her about what was really at stake — the ability to store nuclear weapons in Britain. Kate doesn’t back down from her decision, however, and confronts Penn at the end of the episode. Meanwhile, Hal is tasked with calling Secretary of State Miguel Ganon (Miguel Sandoval) to tell him what Penn has done.
Did Hal Wyler Kill The President of the United States?
Never one to make things simple for his wife, Hal doesn’t call the Secretary of State. Instead, he calls President Rayburn (Michael McKean). Rayburn, ignorant of Penn’s actions, had previously asked his Vice President what he thought of Kate as her replacement. Penn admitted, “I get the appeal… took me a minute.” Unfortunately, Hal’s conversation with Rayburn doesn’t go as smoothly.
As Kate and Penn talk about whether the Ambassador wants to be vice president, Hal is at the embassy. Suddenly, he runs out of the room where he was on the video call with Rayburn, yelling for someone to get him in touch with his wife. Stuart hands Kate a phone and Hal tells her, “I did something.”
Then, the reveal: What Hal told Rayburn upset him so much that he died. Dozens of Secret Service agents are seen running toward now-President of the United States Grace Penn.
Hal didn’t kill President Rayburn, of course, but he set in motion a chain of events that led to Grace Penn, the mastermind behind the conspiracy, heading up the free world. Everything changes in an instant, opening the door for an even more intense third season. Where does Kate’s career stand? What’s to become of Hal? Is there any hope for Stuart and Eidra? Only time will tell.
