Warning: Spoilers ahead forThe Diplomatseason 2, episode 1, “When a Stranger Calls.“Netflix’sThe Diplomatis filled with political terminology that speeds by so quickly that it can be easy to miss, and the season 2 premiere includes one such term without ever really describing it in any detail. WithThe Diplomatseason 2 castbeing a blend of British and American characters - among other nationalities - several buzzwords from each country involved can refer to complex political processes. InThe Diplomatseason 2, episode 1, “When a Stranger Calls,” Rory Kinnear’s British Prime Minister, Nicol Trowbridge, calls a meeting known as a COBRA - which is a very specific kind of gathering.
The political drama’s return picks up immediately followingThe Diplomatseason 1’s ending. The show’s second run continues to use London as its primary setting, and as such,prominent British politicians like Trowbridge continue to use official wordsand phrases that may pass over the heads of American audiences - and even portions of the British viewership. While most of these moments are relatively easy to understand from context,The Diplomatseason 2kicks off with Kinnear’s character calling “a COBRA,” but the meeting is only shown and not properly explained.
What COBRA Means & What It Does
Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge summons the UK government for an emergency meeting
The name COBRA is something of a misnomer, as the acronym includes a letter that doesn’t technically belong there. The Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms are where the relevant government bodies meet in London in response to a crisis in the UK, or for events overseas that may have major implications for the country. As such, the location for such gatherings is often abbreviated from Cabinet Office Brief Rooms to COBR, andthe meeting itself is commonly called a COBRA due to the location’s acronym falling one letter short of the word, and because it’s just quicker to say.
Not every COBRA is the same in terms of who convenes, but they’re often heavily attended by major UK government officials.
Not every COBRA is the same in terms of who convenes, but they’re often heavily attended by major UK government officials. Although the meeting itself is often chaired by the Prime Minister, other senior members of parliament can take this spot. The nature of the incident for which the meeting is called then tends to dictate who else is present to discuss and help solve the crisis. Relevant representatives, such as those from the police, can also be in attendance - not just politicians.COBRA meetings have been held for incidents such as 2001’s September 11 attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why The Prime Minister Calls For A COBRA In The Diplomat
The bombing from The Diplomat’s season 1 finale triggered season 2’s meeting
Nicol Trowbridge calls a COBRA in “When a Stranger Calls” in response to the Notting Hill bombinginThe Diplomat’s season 1 finale that killed Tory MP Meritt Grove, injured Stuart, and eventually killed Ronnie. Trowbridge can be witnessed getting increasingly agitated in the season 1 premiere by the fact that those who he has summoned to his office to analyze the incident have failed to turn up. By the advice of Mrs. Trowbridge: “If you want them all, call a COBRA,” the Prime Minister does so, opening upThe Diplomatseason 2 with a major political gathering.
The Diplomat
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Set within the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, The Diplomat follows the challenges and intricacies faced by an ambassador as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. The series explores the delicate balance between personal and professional responsibilities amidst global tensions and the pursuit of peace.
