The following story contains spoilers from season 2 of The Diplomat – proceed at your own risk.

What The Diplomatthe second season lacked volume (only six episodes?) it more than made up for in killer cliffhanger twists. Actually, it was just a twist – but it gave one hell of a boost.

In the closing moments of the finale, Hal (Rufus Sewell) — who took it upon himself to tell President Rayburn that his No. 2, Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney), was the mastermind behind the deadly British aircraft carrier debacle — informs Kate (Keri Russell) that the bomb news did not suit the commander-in-chief. It didn’t stay with him for long either. Because it killed him.

President Rayburn is dead, which automatically makes Grace president.

How does this affect Kate’s VP chances? Can Kate and Hal’s already fragile marriage withstand this latest crisis? And does that mean we’ll see more of Janney — who appeared in just two episodes this season — in Season 3?

In an interview with TVLine, show creator Debora Cahn respectfully declined to discuss (read: spoil) the upcoming third season, though she did drop this vague tease about Janney’s level of commitment going forward, cryptically claiming that West wing vet “will play the kind of role you want her to play” in Season 3. We’ll take it!

Cahn was infinitely more forthcoming when asked what, if any, comment she made via the Grace/Kate POTUS/VP kerfuffle about the real political climate, one that — within days — could see Kamala Harris become the first woman president of the United States. (Note: Season 2 of The Diplomat (was written and shot long before Harris succeeded President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.)

“I wanted to comment on this: What does it mean to be a really intelligent, capable, experienced woman who is one step away (from the presidency) — whether Kate when she’s being considered for the vice presidency, or Grace who is in that – and being judged,” Cahn explains. “Until Rayburn dies, it’s really about, ‘Who is Grace for vice president?'” I’ve been interested for many years in the tension between the things that make you qualified for office and the things that make you electable.

“It comes up a lot,” she adds, “especially around women.”

One of the other big developments in Season 2 involved the ending of two key romantic entanglements – Kate/Austin and Stuart/Eidra. However, Cahn is not ready to turn the page on either relationship – not yet, anyway.

Looking ahead to season 3, “I don’t see the Austin and Kate relationship as over, and I don’t see the Stuart and Eidra relationship as over,” the EP allows. “They’re just in different phases now. Everyone’s hit the rocks.”

Rate Season 2 in our poll, then hit the comments to share your thoughts after the finale.