As the third episode of The Diplomat season 3 unfolds, Kate effortlessly slips into her role as Ambassador, juggling her London duties with her complex relationship with Hal. Meanwhile, Grace Penn delivers a speech that underscores Rayburn's presidency's continued relevance, but her self-presentation as a mere tribute act seems an ill-advised move.
Eidra continues to face the heat for her handling of Roylin's situation, while Billie engages in a tense conversation with both Hal and Kate about their current arrangement. The tension spills over into their private moments, as they privately navigate a divorce while maintaining a public facade of a loving and wholesome marriage.
The White House's main drama revolves around Rayburn's public funeral, with Stuart busy coordinating the route, procession, and Funeral viewing gallery while juggling demands from various leaders to assure them that their deals with Rayburn are still in place.
Eidra finds herself ostracized by MI6, with Tom Libby refusing to vouch for her due to her past missteps with Roylin. Kate finds herself in a delicate position, trying to help Eidra while managing everything else. The prospect of a potential shuffle in the White House looms large, with the President potentially replacing Hal with Synar. This would be a public humiliation for Hal, who has been making promises and funding projects that contradict Rayburn's administration, undermining Grace's earlier speech about honoring Rayburn's wishes.
In a hushed corner, Kate confides with Hal, urging him to play his cards right. She warns him that his position could be at risk if he doesn't tread carefully. However, Kate's tune soon changes when she realizes that Hal is poised to make history by securing the passage of the Law of the Sea Treaty—a feat that has eluded four previous presidents. He needs just four votes, but they are the most formidable ones. Passing this treaty would undoubtedly reflect well on Grace as president, and in her excitement to help Hal, Kate becomes distracted and forgets all about her meeting with the CIA to aid Eidra. Once again, she chooses Hal over her own values and allegiances.
At the funeral procession, marked by a riderless horse, Hal clashes publicly with Synar, effectively mowing him down and sabotaging his chances for a vice-presidential position. As Hal and Kate attend the funeral in person, the rest of the office and supporting cast watch the drama unfold on the news.
That evening, Billie speaks to Grace, and it seems like she's made her decision: to dislodge Hal from his vice-presidential position. Grace then calls in Kate, who admits that Hal is a bit of an acquired taste and a loose cannon. When Grace is convinced she's going to dump Hal, Kate brings up the Law of the Sea treaty and how close Hal is to achieving it. Grace is shocked, but it works to sway her—at least for now, Hal's position remains secure.
