Diplomatic Immunity (TV series)

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Jonah: "We are at war. Freeze frame, roll credits, to be continued. War!"

Diplomatic Immunity is a comedy about the New Zealand consulate of the fictional Most Royal Kingdom of Fe'ausi. The island kingdom itself is known for having "the highest standard of living in the South Pacific" thanks to its rampant corruption. The staff of the consulate, including ambassador Jonah Fa'auigaese (the brother of the king) and other relatives Mick, Malepe, and Suga, are unsurprisingly willing to bend or ignore rules, much to the dismay of their diplomatic attaché Leighton. Rounding out the main cast are Jonah's daughter Leilani, the kingdom's only anti-monarchist activist, and Kirsty, who appears to be the only one who does any legitimate work.

Not to be confused with the trope Diplomatic Impunity, although the Fe'ausians do take advantage of that whenever they can.

Tropes used in Diplomatic Immunity (TV series) include:
  • And Zoidberg: When Leighton is first introduced to the outfits for the First Best Dance.

Jonah: Imagine, if you will, dressed like this, five of Fe'ausi's finest warriors...and Malepe.

  • Berserk Button: The normally stoic Leighton has a few, including disrespectful portrayals of NZ icon Edmund Hillary. Meanwhile, the whole Fe'ausi nation goes to war over one broken marriage.
  • Butt Monkey: Leighton gets this fairly often, especially in the April Fool's episode.
  • Ho Yay: the Niu admits to having a crush on Leighton. Also, the story-within-a-story version, as Ed!: The Musical features suggestive scenes with Sir Edmund Hillary.

Leighton: It desecrates the memory of the greatest ever New Zealander!
Jonah: How so?
Leighton: Where to start? Maybe where you imply, ot at all subtly, that Hillary and Tenzing were...you know.
Jonah: Climbing buddies?

Malepe: It represents the panini.
Josiah: Panini is Fe'ausian for--
Leighton: Yeah, I can guess what it's Fe'ausian for!

  • Monster Delay: Sort of. The terrifying monstrous spider is never seen until after it's been squished.
  • Musical Episode: partly. "Climb Every Mountain" involves some samples of the songs.
  • Only Sane Man: Leighton when dealing with the odder Fa'usian traditions, although he has a way of getting sucked into the madness. Also, Leilani, as the only person in the entire country who wants to abolish the monarchy.
  • Who's on First?: "The Niu." "The new what?" Also:

Josiah: So I take it your answer is no, then.
Leighton: No.
Josiah: And no is your final answer?
Leighton: No.
Josiah: No?
Leighton: It wasn't my first answer.
Josiah: Yes it was!
Leighton: No. You asked me if my answer was no, and I said no.
Josiah: You mean when you say no, you mean yes?
Leighton: No! To your question I meant no, but to the bigger question, of will I become an Aratika, I mean yes.