The Diplomat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kate is obviously modeled in part on Samantha Powell. Except Powell is married to uber nerd Cass Sunstein. An icon in his own way but nowhere near as hot as Hal.

The relationship between Hal and Kate is so interesting. Clearly he is a narcissist in many ways but he is also utterly devoted to her. It’s the inversion of the “nerdy man, supportive wifey.” And I don’t just mean the jokes about him being “the wife” because she’s ambassador. You can see how Kate is depicted as almost even spectrumy, with her difficulty with social graces and need for sameness in her clothes, forgetting to attend to eating. There are moments in the beginning where you can see how she turns to Hal to get emotional and practical support for those things, like how he helps her through the photo shoot.

Power. Samantha Power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching?

Rufus is a gem!

I love Keri Russell, but I’m not loving this character. She speaks too fast, is too harsh, and the only emotions this character seems to have make her seem weak and weird (the whole anti-dress and anti-social thing are weird for a diplomat).

And while I loved her wardrobe and hair in both the Americans and Felicity, I don’t get her look in this series at all—especially since her husband is all dolled up.

I love the London setting and the plot. I hope it gets better.

I just finished season one. WOW OP. Way to miss the point. I mean, really.

Nobody “missed the point.”

Some of us think the point/premise is stupid and unrealistic.

Some of us think Keri’s character in The Americans was stronger and more interesting. She seems like a weirdo in this series.

You're missing the point because the whole point is that she IS a weirdo. That's literally, the whole point. Fish out of water. The whole premise of the show.

Nobody missed the point.

Some of us think the point/premise is just stupid. Her character is too over the top to be interesting of likable. I wanted to love this show and her character specifically because I’m a big fan of the actress, but I find her character to be weak, silly, and irritating. Others do as well.

I hope they focus more on her brain than her silly lack of hygiene and grooming next season. And I hope they tweak the plot related to her husband who is clearly the more interesting character who adds humor as well as depth to her own character.

So not playing well with the misogynists. Got it! It’s fine for you not to like a show but pretty silly to demand it be a … completely different show than was obviously intended. Like saying “Well, Bridgerton was OK but it would have been better set during the reign of James II and focused less on romance.” The show is about a policy wonk thrust into the spotlight previously occupied by her narcissistic husband.

Uh, we know.

I guess as a policy wonk (albeit with a JD) I’m baffled by why the fish out of water premise needed to be underscored by a woman with unkempt hair, sweaty stinky pits, and the attitude of a petulant teen who refuses to acknowledge professional mores. It’s particularly odd given that she really isn’t a greenhorn since she’s been attached at the hip to a politically savvy ambassador by marriage for a decade plus.

Silly way to drill down on unnecessary details that distract from the plot. You can still use the premise without making her character off-putting. Just like you can make a character smart without making her wear glasses and downplay her appearance. I mean, Keri played the brilliant badass in The Americans.

Because you don’t actually know any truly brilliant people. They often have eccentricities. You just seem offended to see a woman character represented as something other than “f-able.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finished it. Was waiting the whole 8 episodes to see Kate with at least washed hair. Alas, they wouldn't even throw us a bone. It was fine the first 1-2 episodes, but then it just got so distractingly, aggressively stringy and unkempt, that it became its own character.



Spoiler:



I think Kate's call to Roilyn got the MP killed. And Kate was teary b/c she realized what had happened and her role in it.

Agree! That’s exactly what I was thinking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finished it. Was waiting the whole 8 episodes to see Kate with at least washed hair. Alas, they wouldn't even throw us a bone. It was fine the first 1-2 episodes, but then it just got so distractingly, aggressively stringy and unkempt, that it became its own character.



Spoiler:



I think Kate's call to Roilyn got the MP killed. And Kate was teary b/c she realized what had happened and her role in it.

Agree! That’s exactly what I was thinking

The call to Roilyn was a bit weird. She met a woman who is known for her ultra right views and then calls her for some advice? It felt out of place at the time but, after the ending, it just feels a bit contrived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finished it. Was waiting the whole 8 episodes to see Kate with at least washed hair. Alas, they wouldn't even throw us a bone. It was fine the first 1-2 episodes, but then it just got so distractingly, aggressively stringy and unkempt, that it became its own character.



Spoiler:



I think Kate's call to Roilyn got the MP killed. And Kate was teary b/c she realized what had happened and her role in it.

Agree! That’s exactly what I was thinking

The call to Roilyn was a bit weird. She met a woman who is known for her ultra right views and then calls her for some advice? It felt out of place at the time but, after the ending, it just feels a bit contrived.

The call to Roilyn was definitely a plot device to support the bombing. But it worked for me. Roilyn gave Kate the info about the Scottish election and connected various dots for her, which made Kate trust her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching?

Rufus is a gem!

I love Keri Russell, but I’m not loving this character. She speaks too fast, is too harsh, and the only emotions this character seems to have make her seem weak and weird (the whole anti-dress and anti-social thing are weird for a diplomat).

And while I loved her wardrobe and hair in both the Americans and Felicity, I don’t get her look in this series at all—especially since her husband is all dolled up.

I love the London setting and the plot. I hope it gets better.

I just finished season one. WOW OP. Way to miss the point. I mean, really.

Nobody “missed the point.”

Some of us think the point/premise is stupid and unrealistic.

Some of us think Keri’s character in The Americans was stronger and more interesting. She seems like a weirdo in this series.

You're missing the point because the whole point is that she IS a weirdo. That's literally, the whole point. Fish out of water. The whole premise of the show.

Nobody missed the point.

Some of us think the point/premise is just stupid. Her character is too over the top to be interesting of likable. I wanted to love this show and her character specifically because I’m a big fan of the actress, but I find her character to be weak, silly, and irritating. Others do as well.

I hope they focus more on her brain than her silly lack of hygiene and grooming next season. And I hope they tweak the plot related to her husband who is clearly the more interesting character who adds humor as well as depth to her own character.

So not playing well with the misogynists. Got it! It’s fine for you not to like a show but pretty silly to demand it be a … completely different show than was obviously intended. Like saying “Well, Bridgerton was OK but it would have been better set during the reign of James II and focused less on romance.” The show is about a policy wonk thrust into the spotlight previously occupied by her narcissistic husband.

Uh, we know.

I guess as a policy wonk (albeit with a JD) I’m baffled by why the fish out of water premise needed to be underscored by a woman with unkempt hair, sweaty stinky pits, and the attitude of a petulant teen who refuses to acknowledge professional mores. It’s particularly odd given that she really isn’t a greenhorn since she’s been attached at the hip to a politically savvy ambassador by marriage for a decade plus.

Silly way to drill down on unnecessary details that distract from the plot. You can still use the premise without making her character off-putting. Just like you can make a character smart without making her wear glasses and downplay her appearance. I mean, Keri played the brilliant badass in The Americans.

Because you don’t actually know any truly brilliant people. They often have eccentricities. You just seem offended to see a woman character represented as something other than “f-able.”

DP. I'm not convinced she's truly brilliant in the sense of IQ=160. She's definitely super smart and a really hard worker. It helps that she has a single focus in life, and that's foreign policy. I know plenty of people in the 120-140 range who fit this description.

I also know plenty of people who are probably 110 who have eccentricities.

I like her character, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

This show is a bit boring and hard to watch

[Anonymous]

I was bored just watching the previews.

I was a huge fan of The Americans until the anti-climactic ending. Is this show better or at least as good as The Americans?

[Anonymous]

Kind of boring to tell the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You women commenting are the worst. What a bunch of misogynists you all are judging a woman on her looks not her talent!

Horrible horrible commenters you are.

We are commenting on a tv show that cast a gorgeous woman who is literally known for her hair as an ugly duckling “in need of a haircut” as the plot line with styling with greasy unbrushed hair, no makeup, and multiple scenes where they fixate on her armpits and smell.

We are not commenting on a real person.

Geez.

You’re such a dork with your “power move” fantasies. Let the people from State and…everyone else take over. Go hit that Nordie’s sale rack for your next #realbosswitch shift with the tummy control panel, our secret.

So people from State who are married to high-power ambassadors are too clueless to wash and brush their and they pitch a literal fit when confronted with an event that warrants dressing up and/or interacting with people?

Riiiiiiiiiiggghhhhttttt.

Here’s the thing about DC: most of us know people in these positions IRL. These people absolutely know how to behave. Nobody is showing up to a meeting in London with unwashed hair or dirty clothes.

There’s no need to compare Keri’s character to lower level people at State in other posts.

+100
I just now finished this show and couldn’t agree more. There’s nothing wrong with a female protagonist who isn’t interested in fashion or dressing up. However, Kate’s character was waaaaaay over the top in this way. The tantrum/sulking during the photo shoot? Seriously? The constantly messy/greasy hair? As a former ambassador’s wife, there is no way she wouldn’t understand the importance of presentation, even if she’s a serious policy wonk too. The writers/director really misfired with this part of her personality. And Keri Russell is an executive producer, so I have to blame her somewhat too!

Hal is the most annoying character, I kind of hope he won’t be back. Talk about constantly sabotaging her - what an ego.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny, I have not noticed the "fast talking."

Probably because I do it myself (from NY originally!).

When she takes her shirt off, she is SO thin, do men really find that look to be sexy?

“That look”? Great, a thin-shamer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone watching?

Rufus is a gem!

I love Keri Russell, but I’m not loving this character. She speaks too fast, is too harsh, and the only emotions this character seems to have make her seem weak and weird (the whole anti-dress and anti-social thing are weird for a diplomat).

And while I loved her wardrobe and hair in both the Americans and Felicity, I don’t get her look in this series at all—especially since her husband is all dolled up.

I love the London setting and the plot. I hope it gets better.

I just finished season one. WOW OP. Way to miss the point. I mean, really.

Nobody “missed the point.”

Some of us think the point/premise is stupid and unrealistic.

Some of us think Keri’s character in The Americans was stronger and more interesting. She seems like a weirdo in this series.

You're missing the point because the whole point is that she IS a weirdo. That's literally, the whole point. Fish out of water. The whole premise of the show.

Nobody missed the point.

Some of us think the point/premise is just stupid. Her character is too over the top to be interesting of likable. I wanted to love this show and her character specifically because I’m a big fan of the actress, but I find her character to be weak, silly, and irritating. Others do as well.

I hope they focus more on her brain than her silly lack of hygiene and grooming next season. And I hope they tweak the plot related to her husband who is clearly the more interesting character who adds humor as well as depth to her own character.

So not playing well with the misogynists. Got it! It’s fine for you not to like a show but pretty silly to demand it be a … completely different show than was obviously intended. Like saying “Well, Bridgerton was OK but it would have been better set during the reign of James II and focused less on romance.” The show is about a policy wonk thrust into the spotlight previously occupied by her narcissistic husband.

Uh, we know.

I guess as a policy wonk (albeit with a JD) I’m baffled by why the fish out of water premise needed to be underscored by a woman with unkempt hair, sweaty stinky pits, and the attitude of a petulant teen who refuses to acknowledge professional mores. It’s particularly odd given that she really isn’t a greenhorn since she’s been attached at the hip to a politically savvy ambassador by marriage for a decade plus.

Silly way to drill down on unnecessary details that distract from the plot. You can still use the premise without making her character off-putting. Just like you can make a character smart without making her wear glasses and downplay her appearance. I mean, Keri played the brilliant badass in The Americans.

THIS x 100
The laser focus on her hygiene and distaste for dresses is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

The scene where Hal was swimming with Dennison's sister and tells her his equipment only works with his wife ("Go ahead, touch it, you'll see") was pretty wacky. He appeared to find her very attractive, I guess I've just never heard of this version of ED before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s consider the irony of how much this discussion talks about the actress’s wardrobe/styling vs. her actual acting…I think that is the point her character is trying to make by getting so annoyed at the vogue photo shoot.

Loved the princess of Genovia wave at the end, she knew what to do and didn’t need a fairy godmother to do it.

There’s a fine line between obnoxious arrogance and confidence. I think her portrayal of this character is coming off as arrogant with a bizarre dash of social anxiety. I also think her acting is “off” in that she’s speaking quickly and constantly looks annoyed. While Rufus comes across as confident and authentic, she’s coming off as annoying.

And I say that as someone who loves her in virtually everything else she’s ever done.

Shall we blame the director?

That's just typical State

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watched the first two episodes last night and am really enjoying it so far. They're clearly trying to send a message by having Keri Russell looking so unkempt. It's a little ridiculous but whatever. We get it. She's not a typical diplomat, she's a passionate international policy wonk who has rose up the ranks and was supposed to go to a non-sexy posting to make real change. Her acting is phenomenal so I can forgive the clumsy projection her hair and non-makeup is sending. If I were here I would've punched Hal in the face by now, so I applaud her for her restraint.

It’s so absurd. Living in dc we all know multiple unkempt passionate policy wonks and none of them have the slightest problem with dressing up and doing hair/makeup to go on tv representing their employer or country. So unrealistic that anyone would give a damn about this, it really takes me out

Oh, I totally disagree. I know plenty of state department and policy types, and there are many who would feel awkward about suddenly having to go to a very high level event. Getting a blowout to go on some small cable news show is pretty simple. Dressing up and going to a high level reception is a different level. I find the premise of a serious, wonky foreign service officer struggling with a sudden promotion to a high profile post to be very DC-authentic. Foreign service folk that I know tend to be quite nerdy.

Many are quite dirty, as well.