The Diplomat 2022

A big recommendation for the drama/comedy THE DIPLOMAT on Netflix. We binged five or six hours of it before exhaustion got to us. it’s a show that demands attention and is intelligently written by someone with exquisite inside information about the functions and manipulations of the diplomatic service. Unlike some American shows, it doesn’t play with mythical countries, but goes directly to the core of current world problems and names, Russia, China, Iran and the Middle East as the protagonists try to unravel a Gordian knot likely to lead to nuclear warfare. it is very contemporary and a clever relationship saga that seems inspired by Tracy/Hepburn movies of the fifties (DESK SET comes to mind). It has the pace, power and intelligence of a WEST WING in unravelling the machinations and recognising the perpetrator of an international incident. And the cast is very watchable. Keri Russell is an absolute star (must now watch The Americans) and Rufus Sewell plays ‘the difficult wife’ with great and measured timing. Its terrific to see intelligent and engaging programming appearing on the streaming networks. For me it is the script that shines through and is utterly contemporary with reference to Russia’s attempt to invade Ukraine and the instability of Iran. very worthy of bingeing.