We have reached the halfway point of The Diplomat season 4, and the game has completely changed. In the third episode, Kate called on Hal to help with stalled negotiations with the UK over the concrete burial funding, which prompted the VP to reveal the truth about the Poseidon to Trowbridge, who in turn revealed that Dennison was killed. The US showed their cards for really no reason.
The Diplomat season 4 episode 4 picks up with Trowbridge tying his tie and singing along to opera music before walking out of his room in a robe and crown. For some reason, we next see him singing while dressed and made up as a clown. Perhaps, a king and a clown is how he and the world views him. It's an interesting thought. He walks outside to the public to address the press.
Two days before this press conference, Trowbridge meets with Kate and Hal and hallucinates Margaret Roylin ribbing on him about Dennison's death. That's the reason he was distracted in his meeting. He also imagines Kate, Hal, and Eidra laughing at him and saying things that they didn't actually say. Did he even register what Hal told him about the Poseidon? Well, yes, he did.
Trowbridge calls out President Penn to the public
Back at Kate's office, she and Hal panic about what to do next. Kate leaps into action to contact Grace and have White House documents reclassified before someone can leak the information. Hal hugs Kate to have a moment about Dennison's death, which she's sad about, but she's focused on clearing up this mess. Meanwhile, Todd takes Hal's place at Grace's weekly lunch with the VP.
The energy between Todd and Grace is even more strained due to Todd's thinly veiled jealousy. They're saved by Hal calling Grace to share the Trowbridge news. Kate sits in front of Hal below the television out of view of Grace to provide talking points. He defends his position and reasoning for telling Trowbridge the truth. She seems open to reclassification.
Kate and Hal meet with Eidra on next moves about the weapon. Eidra's disappointed that she's lost credibility with Libby by not knowing the weapon was missing. She calls Hal revealing the truth to Trowbridge an "audible," which Kate refutes in order to get on the same page. Realistically, Eidra has no other option but to follow through with what Kate and Hal are telling her to do.
Back at home, Hal expresses to Kate that he's uncomfortable with Kate not berating him about what happened. But she's committed to being on his side and in his corner. When he asks her to make eye contact, she breaks down crying and leaves the room. The next day, Trowbridge continues to hallucinate Roylin before he announces Dennison's death in a press conference.
His address appears to call out the United States government in so many words and promises to fight for justice. Hal approaches Stuart to ask for Kate to make fewer public appearances in fear that Trowbridge could kill her in retaliation. Kate asks for clearance to fill Trowbridge in on what they learn about the weapon, which Hal grants. He also tells her to blackmail him with Roylin.
Hal pushes back against Kate knowing that she's holding back what she really thinks about the situation. She finally admits that she's worried about him telling her to blackmail the Prime Minister. He doesn't respond and simply leaves her office. Billie and Todd help Grace understand that Trowbridge's speech was about her, calling her a "graceless bully."
Kate's blackmail leads to an unexpected resignation
Grace walks out on their conversation. Now alone, Todd tells Billie to "replace him," and she says she's thinking about it. Who does he mean? Stuart checks on Kate, and they check notes on how to move forward with addressing Dennison's death. He also reveals that she shouldn't sign the condolence book because it's in a public place and tensions are high. She doesn't respond well to this.
Kate learns that Stuart's acting on Hal's orders, which changes her tune. Eidra talks to Libby and admits she had no idea about Poseidon, and he explains he plans to distance himself from her. Trowbridge takes meeting with a possible new foreign secretary, a woman named Robyn. She doesn't put up with his pessimistic rhetoric and proves that she can stand up to him.
Hal approaches Grace to explain what happened. She's not happy with him, but before she can read him the riot act, he reveals all of the demeaning whispers that have been happening since the shooting about her behind her back. Later that night, Kate and Stuart clear the air over drinks in Kate's office. They talk first as colleagues and then as friends.
Grace and Hal continue to laugh and make plans together when Todd walks in on them, leading Hal to leave. Hal ends up taking on the Oval Office overhaul, and Todd again takes note of the easy back and forth between Grace and Hal. Once Hal leaves, Todd tells Grace he's taking work overseas to get away for a while. The news comes as a shock to the president.
On Wednesday, Kate meets Robyn before her meeting with Trowbridge to apologize. She admits that Hal acted under the impression Trowbridge was blowing him off. She also tells him that he was always planning to tell the truth under Grace's orders. Trowbridge forbids Kate from attending Dennison's funeral. Kate asks Robyn to join the meeting and plays the Roylin card.
Without missing a beat, Kate explains to Robyn that Roylin orchestrated the attack on HMS Courageous and thought Trowbridge was incompetent. She reveals Trowbridge tried to kill Roylin and they have it on tape. Just like that, she used the blackmail and checkmated Trowbridge. Later, Stuart turn on her TV for Trowbridge's new press conference announcing his resignation.
Watch The Diplomat only on Netflix.
Add us as a preferred source on Google