Understanding the Conclusion of Zero Day

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Zero Day!

Overview

Robert De Niro delivers a powerful performance in Netflix’s Zero Day, portraying former President George Mullen who investigates a devastating terrorist attack.
The origin of the Zero Day event is slowly revealed to be a conspiracy involving members of the U. S.government.
Mullen’s own daughter steps forward, exposing the involvement of several high-ranking officials in the attack.

In a notable turn of events, Robert De Niro has made his television debut in Netflix’s Zero Day. He plays the character of former President George Mullen, a portrayal that echoes President Joe Biden as a once-popular Democrat who chose not to seek a second term. Mullen’s character is also marked by personal tragedy, paralleling Biden’s loss of his son in a distinctly different context.

Despite his relative obscurity, Mullen finds himself at the forefront of an investigation into a catastrophic cyberattack known as Zero Day. This attack disrupts all electronic devices and communications for one crucial minute nationwide. In the aftermath, the perpetrators deliver a chilling message hinting at further chaos to come. We see Mullen grappling with memory issues that draw comparisons to Biden’s real-life struggles, often losing focus and displaying signs of confusion.

Plot Overview of Zero Day

As the Zero Day attack unfolds, various government officials speculate that Russian operatives may be behind it. However, Mullen presents compelling evidence to President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) that the attacks are rooted in a domestic extremist group, with the Russian angle being a mere diversion.

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The unfolding narrative emphasizes the internal betrayal, as a long-time aide to Mullen, played by Jesse Plemons, selectively highlights data that steers the investigation towards this anti-government narrative.

Throughout the process, Mullen’s investigative powers are significantly bolstered by President Mitchell’s executive orders, which permit an expansive approach to gathering evidence. This allows the commission to arrest suspects without warrants, including a talk-show host, Evan Green (Dan Stevens), who is captured and subjected to harsh interrogation without legal recourse.

Contrary to initial assumptions, the true orchestrators of the Zero Day attacks are revealed to be complicit members of Congress, particularly the Speaker of the House, Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine), and even Mullen’s daughter, Alexandra Mullen (Lizzy Caplan).They, in collaboration with a female tech mogul (Gabby Hoffman as Monica Kidder), aim to instill a sense of fear among the American populace regarding the fragility of national security.

Created By	Eric Newman Noah Oppenheim Michael Schmidt
Showrunner	Eric Newman
Starring	Robert De Niro Lizzy Caplan Jesse Plemons Joan Allen Connie Britton Bill Camp Dan Stevens McKinley Belcher III Angela Bassett

As Mullen delves deeper into the conspiracy, he faces a moral dilemma about revealing the truth. Acknowledging the potential fallout from disclosing the involvement of congressional members, he considers a cover-up that points the blame solely at Kidder, who has been killed in custody.

Ending Explained

Robert De Niro, Connie Britton, and the cast of Zero Day

In the series finale, Mullen addresses Congress and the nation, prepared to recite the commission’s report. Initially focused on omitting the involvement of Congress members, he ultimately succumbs to his emotional turmoil, driven by hallucinations relating to his son’s death, and exposes the conspirators, including Speaker Dreyer.

Notably, Mullen’s daughter, who has already surrendered, is set to provide incriminating evidence against Dreyer and various officials. The series concludes with a powerful montage of the American public’s quiet acceptance of the revelations, suggesting that transparency is ultimately preferred over government-sanctioned secrecy for their “own good.”

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