The Diplomat season 2 ending, explained: What’s next for Kate after SPOILER’s death?

by

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for political dramas and a knack for unraveling intricate plots, I can confidently say that The Diplomat has taken me on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride this season. The writers have masterfully crafted a narrative where tension is palpable from start to finish, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers from The Diplomat season 2 finale.

In its swift yet powerful span of six episodes, Season 2 of The Diplomat delivers an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that keeps you guessing until the very end. As Kate maneuvers through a succession of challenging scenarios, she deftly dodges metaphorical landmines, keeping viewers on tenterhooks.

The new season starts following the events of the Season 1 finale attack, which put Hal, Stuart, and Ronnie in a precarious situation, and even more so for Hal’s life. It’s a tense and emotional starting point for the series, as there are subsequent shocking revelations that drastically change Kate’s storyline.

At the close of season 2, we’re left with our jaws agape, a state that seems permanent. It’s hard to exaggerate the suspenseful cliffhanger, one that surpasses even the one from the prior season. With Allison Janney’s performance, an unforeseen climax, and a myriad of open-ended questions for the already-confirmed season 3, there are countless mysteries yet to be resolved.

Here’s your last spoiler warning!

Grace Penn masterminded the UK attack

As Kate believes she has everything under control, a shocking revelation from Hal at the end of episode 5 in season 2 turns everything upside down. Following her conversation with Roylin earlier in the season and discovering the truth, Hal had deliberately omitted certain details he deemed unimportant to their primary objective. When Kate finally learns about this hidden information that Hal had kept secret, it dramatically alters the situation.

Prior to the climax in episode 5, Kate had crossed paths with Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) and was struck by her competence in her position. She found it unfair that Penn was ousted due to her husband’s indiscretions, as she believed Penn to be an exceptional leader. In a heated exchange with Hal, Kate warned him that if Penn wouldn’t remain Vice President, there was no way Kate could assume the role herself. She even threatened to contact Billie, the Chief of Staff, to express her intentions.

Kate was puzzled as to why Hal objected to her rescuing Penn and insisted she wait, until eventually Hal confided in her: “It wasn’t Roylin who planned the attack on the British ship, it was Grace Penn.” As he restrained Kate, preventing her from contacting Billie, Hal explained this secret to a perplexed Kate.

As Kate internalizes her new knowledge, she arrives at a startling revelation: she feels compelled and eager to become the Vice President. In the final episode, during a dinner with Prime Minister Trowbridge, Penn senses an unusual atmosphere, prompting Kate to let Hal in on the secret. Penn then privately talks to Kate for clarification. Allison Janney gives an outstanding performance in this role that undeniably deserves an Emmy Award nomination.

President Rayburn’s death casts a shadow on season 3

After Penn clarified her actions with Roylin, Kate came to understand the magnitude, burden, and extent of Penn’s responsibilities compared to her own. Once more, they found themselves at odds regarding the best course of action, given that Penn had facilitated the attack. Hal proposed revealing this information to Ganon, the Secretary of State, as a potential next step.

Hal contends that if Penn is so confident in her choice being the only possible one, then Ganon will comprehend and that will be the end of it. Conversely, Kate asserts that Penn made a decision similar to what Hal would have chosen, and he wouldn’t turn himself in to Ganon. Kate wants to avoid jeopardizing Penn’s career for the sake of making her own path to the White House smoother.

Hey Carole, I ran our conversation from last night over in my head this morning, and your insights about Hal and me were spot on. I see things more clearly now. There’s something important I need to share with Ganon, and it involves Penn. I’ve been pondering who should break the news, and it looks like Hal’s the one for the job. I’m gunning for a Vice President role myself, but this task isn’t for me this time around. Let’s hope Hal handles it well.

Hal chooses to keep Ganon in the dark and instead delivers the crucial information directly to President Rayburn during a video call. Upon learning what Penn had done, Rayburn was so overwhelmed with stress that he passed away instantly, making Grace Penn the immediate successor as the President of the United States.

Kate and Grace were strolling on the grass, their conversation tense and back-and-forth, when Stuart handed Kate her phone so she could listen to the news from Hal. At that instant, the Secret Service sprinted towards Penn to deliver what seemed to be an explosive succession announcement. Will Penn decide to keep Kate as his Vice President due to her knowledge of secrets, or is the fight merely escalating? The third season has taken on a completely different form now.

Watch The Diplomat only on Netflix.

Read More

2024-10-31 10:03