The Diplomat season 2 episode 6 recap and ending explained: ‘Dreadnought’

As a long-time political analyst with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the season 2 finale of The Diplomat has left me absolutely spellbound! The intricate plot twists and the masterful way the writers have tied up loose ends from the first season are nothing short of brilliant.

The Diplomat season 2 finale is a game-changing episode for the series! I truly can’t believe everything that happened in this episode, and now, I can’t wait to see what creator Debora Cahn and the team have planned in The Diplomat season 3.

In episode 6 of “The Diplomat” season 2, titled “Dreadnought,” opens with Kate and Hal Wyler (portrayed by Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell) delving into the significant disclosure from episode 5’s end. It is revealed that Vice President Grace Penn (played by Allison Janney) and her team, along with the Americans, orchestrated the attack on HMS Courageous and were responsible for the death of the Scottish independence movement.

Hal additionally discloses that the President is unaware of Grace’s actions. Hal attempts to restrain Kate from escalating the situation. However, she wishes to exaggerate it and create a major incident, yet Hal discourages her from doing so.

Kate tells Stuart that he wants to be Vice President

It dawns on Kate that it’s essential for her, rather than Grace, to assume the role of Vice President.

The following morning at breakfast, Kate communicates to Stuart Heyford (Eto Assandoh) her aspiration of becoming the Vice President. Should the White House present this opportunity, she is prepared to accept. She encourages Stuart to exert all efforts to facilitate this outcome, suggesting a fresh wardrobe for Kate, a new hairstyle, and more enhancements as well.

Grace communicates to Kate that she values her ongoing assistance, as Grace remains Vice President. It’s clear that Grace recognizes Kate’s efforts to project a more Vice Presidential image.

Stuart tries to get back together with Eidra

Following breakfast with Kate, Stuart heads to Eidra Park (Ali Ahn) to discuss Kate’s intention to pursue the Vice Presidency. Initially, Eidra shows enthusiasm, but later, Stuart employs this information as an opportunity to rekindle their relationship.

Eidra storms off in annoyance after this incident. Upon catching up with her, she demands that Stuart cease such behavior at the workplace. There’s a lot of history between them. Time will tell if they reconcile. The answer lies ahead.

Dennison tells Trowbridge to resign

In this scenario, Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) is summoned to the office of Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear), who happens to be Trowbridge’s son. Trowbridge’s wife is urging him to step down, but Nicol is against it.

As a gamer, I’ve found myself in a tricky situation where I (Trowbridge) am seeking advice from Dennison. However, he’s not keen on dispensing it. After some persistent persuasion, he finally suggests that I should step down. But the thought of resigning isn’t sitting well with me; I’m reluctant to let go. I seem to be stuck in this decision-making process.

Later on, he takes a few more steps accompanied by another MP. However, Trowbridge remains silent about the incident as he wishes to avoid any repercussions. Dennison presses for an answer regarding when Trowbridge will act, but Trowbridge responds that it’s not the appropriate moment yet.

Trowbridge called President Rayburn and suggested Grace Penn to be the Nuclear Czar between the two nations

Unexpectedly, Trowbridge phoned President Rayburn (Michael McKean) and remarked that Grace excelled in her position. Additionally, he proposed that Grace would be an ideal candidate for the new role of “Nuclear Liaison” between the UK and US. It’s rumored that the President is pondering this suggestion, while Trowbridge plans to extol Grace’s virtues during his address at a significant upcoming event.

Hal and Kate become alarmed and advise Trowbridge to omit the “Nuclear Czar” segment from his speech, surprising Grace. Grace then inquires as to why Kate is intentionally undermining her fresh role, causing some tension.

Upon Kate’s prompting, Hal shares with Grace that we have learned about the bombing incident and the individual responsible for devising the plan.

In the other room, Grace brings in a big giant map from somewhere, grabs a piece of charred wood from the fire place, and puts on a show for Kate. Grace describes the situation with Russia.

Essentially, there’s a straight route from Russia to New York City, which passes over the northern ocean near Creegan, a British naval base in Scotland that stores nuclear weapons. This is the sole barrier protecting Russia’s nuclear submarines.

If Scotland had become independent, it would have meant relocating the U.S. nuclear base there, potentially providing Russia with a straight route for attacking cities on the Eastern coast of the United States, including New York City.

Apart from sharing with Kate that she possesses the names of every victim lost in the tragic ship explosion, Grace openly acknowledges that this entire catastrophe rests on her shoulders. However, she’s privy to the potential consequences had Scotland chosen to separate.

Instead, she informs Kate that the entire globe serves as her “playing field,” and then she highlights the United Kingdom on the map and explains that it’s under her control.

This time around, it’s a significant setback for Kate as she missed the whole scope of things once again this season, leaving her with a lesson learned the hard way.

Kate shuts down Hal’s plan to kill Grace Penn’s career

After the party, the Wylers find themselves embroiled in a heated disagreement as they ponder their next steps. Kate advocates for giving Grace freedom of action, while Hal believes it would be more appropriate to forward her actions to Miguel Ganon.

Following a conversation with her friend, Kate ultimately supports Hal’s scheme. Hal plans on confiding in Miguel Ganon, the Secretary of State, to ensure that Kate maintains a spotless reputation. Her ambition lies in becoming the Vice President.

Hal heads to the embassy to place a call to Ganon, as Kate engages with Grace. Subsequently, they take a stroll through the garden. During their walk, Kate confides in Grace that she has no intention of becoming Vice President and promises to maintain the shared knowledge confidential.

Grace doesn’t find her trustworthy, and Kate becomes annoyed in response. She stated that she would agree if the President requested her service, yet Grace continues to aspire for the position of Vice President. She hopes that Kate will decline the offer.

Hal doesn’t call the Secretary of State, though. He calls President Rayburn first.

Then, all hell breaks loose!

President Rayburn dies after Hal tells him about Grace Penn’s involvement in the HMS Courageous bombing

20 Secret Service agents are sprinting through the garden, protecting Vice President Grace Penn. However, neither Kate nor Grace have any idea about the situation unfolding.

In the end, Hal successfully reached Kate over the phone. He disclosed that the president had suffered a fatal heart attack following his revelation that Grace Penn was in fact the one who sparked the bombing of the HMS Courageous.

This ending and cliffhanger are simply stunning! The plotline from the initial episodes of the series, where the President’s heart condition was a central theme, unfolded brilliantly in the finale of season 2. I didn’t anticipate it would turn out like this, but looking back, I can see that they were subtly foreshadowing it as early as season 1.

This has HUGE ramifications for The Diplomat season 3. So, what happens now?

It appears quite likely that Grace will eventually become the President of the United States. Currently, only a handful of individuals, including Hal, Kate, Roylin, and a few others, are privy to what Grace has done. Therefore, Grace is not facing immediate impeachment, but there might be a chance of it happening later in the series.

There are also a few big questions about The Diplomat season 3 raised by the season 2 ending.

Will Grace select Kate as her Vice President?

All I know that we’re in good hands for The Diplomat season 3.

2024-10-31 10:59

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