Todd Van Prooyen

Honestly, as a rule, I find political dramas and spy thrillers to be pedantic and try-hard affairs that are never half as clever as they think they are; and frequently conjure the imagine of chimpanzees bespoked in top hats and monocles. The Diplomat is the exception that proves the rule. It is subtle, grounded, and the smartest show I've seen in years and the very best show I6watched this year. The script is tight and the production is credible. Nearly any cast member here would be a stand out in any other show, but instead falls into a character that is nuanced and a fully realized piece of something truly exceptional. In spite of the uncommonly high quality of performance by the rest of the cast, Keri Russell delivers a mastclass performance that I had no idea she had in her. I can't wait to see where they go with season 3.