The Diplomat (2023)

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 20, 2023
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 11 out of 37

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User Reviews

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  1. pukka
    Apr 28, 2023
    0
    Sounded promising with such a cast. Unfortunately the script is plagued by stereotypes. The authors try so desperately to provide a supposedly sharp and witty script that they force their actors to deliver it as robots reading an Ikea manual. Since they are diplomats, they have to look constipated and show as much empathy and feelings as my kitchen freezer. There is only one tempo to theirSounded promising with such a cast. Unfortunately the script is plagued by stereotypes. The authors try so desperately to provide a supposedly sharp and witty script that they force their actors to deliver it as robots reading an Ikea manual. Since they are diplomats, they have to look constipated and show as much empathy and feelings as my kitchen freezer. There is only one tempo to their exchanges : no silences, my line is supposed to be more clever than your line, and I'm supposed to be vulgar in private so I can blow off steam to relieve the anxiety of my "Oooh so stressful" work environment. The scenario turns out to be quite puerile and the decorum doesn't save this dive into the diplomatic word that looks more like a showy fantasy of "the elite" than the daily life of an ambassador. I love Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell but they overact in a major way as soon as they hit the set and their director obviously loves it...… Expand
  2. OlivierPiel
    Apr 25, 2023
    0
    Well, let's just say, this is "bollocks" and sagging boring ones at that. And, as an other reviewer observed, Keri Russel still playing the same "uncompromising, strong yet constipated woman" character.
  3. skwel
    Apr 24, 2023
    3
    Another victim of 'netflixation' by algorithms catering to all, instead trying to find it own footing. Promising premise at first, then diluted. Not really an espionage, neither Sorkin's White House bored down to some office melodrama. Fortunately you can keep fast forwarding those parts. Script feels like written by AI, pretends to be smart, but quite empty and meaningless. CriticsAnother victim of 'netflixation' by algorithms catering to all, instead trying to find it own footing. Promising premise at first, then diluted. Not really an espionage, neither Sorkin's White House bored down to some office melodrama. Fortunately you can keep fast forwarding those parts. Script feels like written by AI, pretends to be smart, but quite empty and meaningless. Critics calling it 'extraordinarily smart' are either joking or not too smart.… Expand
  4. portobellojim
    Jul 7, 2023
    3
    It's ridiculous to score a show like this 0 (0r 10) out of 10. It's not incompetent and it's also not in any way witty or original.
    What it is, is a really mediocre show with predictable characters, stupid storylines and a central premise and character that are no where near as cute or clever as the writers seem to believe. This is Aaron Sorkin lite; it fails as comedy or satire and    It's ridiculous to score a show like this 0 (0r 10) out of 10. It's not incompetent and it's also not in any way witty or original.
    What it is, is a really mediocre show with predictable characters, stupid storylines and a central premise and character that are no where near as cute or clever as the writers seem to believe. This is Aaron Sorkin lite; it fails as comedy or satire and it fails as espionage.
    I have no idea why it's getting such good reviews.    … Expand
  5. Ewestre01
    Jul 17, 2023
    3
    I understand that displaying a hard working strong-willed female character who does not wash her hair is forward thinking, but then she is also consistently abrasively attacking anyone who can help her, repeatedly betraying the one person who seems to genuinely appreciate her talents, and then going back to the man who obviously lies and manipulates her multiple times per day. TheI understand that displaying a hard working strong-willed female character who does not wash her hair is forward thinking, but then she is also consistently abrasively attacking anyone who can help her, repeatedly betraying the one person who seems to genuinely appreciate her talents, and then going back to the man who obviously lies and manipulates her multiple times per day. The protagonist's defining leadership characteristic seems to be talking down to everyone who does not immediately agree with her point of view and want to do her bidding. She just does not seem to develop. The rhythm of these exchanges is so consistent and repetitive it becomes comedic, so it was sort of fun to predict the ups and downs of each conversation. Her: "You are stupid, I was in the trenches! Children dying before my eyes!" Other: "Gosh that would be breaking the rules!" Her: "Well the rules were made by idiots! Now do it my way!"

    There is a good amount of time spent showing her shoving food in her face like an animal (why?) and quite a bit of allusion to her not bathing consistently. I guess that does happen and I would also be critical if she was perfect, gorgeous, well mannered and well dressed at all times, but it seems really overdone and unrealistic. We get it! These things are not her priority!

    There are a few oddly out of place scenes in later episodes that seem to be attempting to show the characters attending to the little things in life in awkward ways (they are still just people I guess!), one being a midnight "raid" by husband and wife on the kitchen pantry as if they had not eaten in years. Such fun and frivolity! Cramming pies and tarts in our faces with no utensils!! You scoundrels, still just kids at heart! Ugh, so very forced and out of place.

    Finally the supposed undeniable attraction between the main character and another central character (whom she has betrayed professionally multiple times to get her way) really has no chemistry whatsoever. It does not make sense, feels really forced, and when they are physically close to each other I actually cringe... it seems like the actors both are not feeling it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best TV Season of 2023
27
#27 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Fred Kaplan
    Oct 31, 2024
    70
    The pace is crisp; the acting is fine, striking a balance between dramatic immersion and wink-and-nudge rom-com. I went with it, binged all eight episodes of Season 1, and didn’t hate myself afterward (except until the very end of the final episode, with its three cliffhangers, none of which makes the slightest bit of sense).
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Reviewed by: Barbara Ellen
    Sep 10, 2024
    40
    A few episodes in, The Diplomat feels laboured and dated. If you want to watch people standing in posh rooms pointlessly arguing and furthering British stereotypes, you’re better off sticking on a Downton Abbey repeat.
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  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    May 24, 2023
    80
    The pleasure of The Diplomat, Netflix’s zippy new geopolitical drama, is how enticingly it ties together tropes and tricks from shows gone by, a TV bouquet that’s undeniably familiar and yet still seems fresh.
    Read full review
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