Zero Day Finale: Stars Unveil Shocking Consequences & Emotional Aftermath

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[This story contains major spoilers from the Zero Day finale.]

Zero Day ended with a shock when Robert De Niro‘s politician did the right thing.

In a twist of events, finding myself drawn back into the political sphere to unravel the masterminds behind a lethal cyberassault, I – as George Mullen, a gamer immersed in De Niro’s shoes – faced intense persuasion from both Angela Bassett’s president character and my own wife Sheila Mullen, portrayed by Joan Allen. They urged me to withhold the complete truth about what I’d uncovered.

The hidden reality would expose a domestic cyberattack orchestrated by Big Tech, but also implicate key political figures such as Speaker of the House Richard Dreyer, played by Matthew Modine, and my idealistic daughter, Rep. Alexandra Mullen, embodied by Lizzy Caplan.

Eventually, it was clear that’s precisely what transpired. He openly shared the truth, bracing himself for the repercussions. Mullen’s daughter chose to surrender herself, while his wife abandoned him; the thought of another child being taken away was unbearable for her, given their previous loss of their son due to an overdose.

Eric Newman, co-creator, co-showrunner, and executive producer, previously clarified to The Hollywood Reporter about the conclusion of the Netflix political thriller: George Mullen chooses honor over everything else, except for his moral compass. The message here is that those who seek positions of power must comprehend that such responsibilities demand selflessness.

As a devoted fan, I find myself reflecting on the unique perspectives that Allen, Caplan, and Modine bring to their characters’ decisions within the captivating world of Zero Day. Each has speculated about potential futures for their characters post-events, yet it remains uncertain if we’ll witness more adventures in a second season, given that it was conceived as a limited series.

Allen expresses a glimmer of hope, suggesting she might not definitively state that her character, Sheila, parts ways with her husband George for good.

She seems to be planning a short trip for about a month or two. She mentioned needing some space, saying something like ‘I need a break here,'” she shared with THR. “Given the events that transpired, I believe it’s wise to take a moment, step back, and see what unfolds.

Sheila stood strong as a political powerhouse and a dedicated patriot. When signs suggested that her husband might be struggling cognitively (a point left ambiguous by the series), Sheila was prepared to address this issue for the sake of the nation. Her character, she notes, was drawn from real-life politics.

She didn’t focus specifically on Hillary Clinton, yet she deeply respects her, “she acknowledges,” Women like Nancy Pelosi, who dedicate their lives to public service, are incredibly intelligent, strong, and wise. Although I did consider them, I followed the script and discussions with Lesli Glatter and Bob De Niro about the nature of our relationship, which was a partnership.

Eventually, she expresses that the loss of their daughter was more than Sheila could endure. “She tells him, ‘I can’t bear to lose another child.’ It’s an unbearable pain,” says Allen. “She cherished and trusted him, but I believe losing a second child is the final straw.

Newman, along with co-creator Noah Oppenheim and Michael S Schmidt, explained to The Hollywood Reporter that the characters in “Zero Day” were designed as blends, deliberately free from any specific political party ties. This was done to ensure the show’s themes could resonate widely and still be engaging.

Caplan suggests that Alex’s emerging political persona bore a resemblance to certain well-known figures such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chelsea Clinton, and the Bush sisters. However, he notes that overall, Alex seemed more influenced by works of fiction rather than real life.

She mentions in an interview with THR that there’s no one quite fitting the description: the child of the ex-president who is strongly progressive and pursuing a political career. Since such a person doesn’t exist, she essentially had to invent her.

Alex clarifies her actions to her father, detailing how she joined the conspiracy with the goal of mending a fractured nation, aiming to unite its people through a mix of apprehension, by highlighting weaknesses, and subsequently reminding those on opposing sides of their leadership capabilities. However, the assault resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 individuals; she never foresaw such loss of life.

As a gamer, I’d say: “This approach might be intense, but let’s face it, the problem at hand is genuine. Now, I don’t believe Alex’s motives were purely malicious. In fact, they seemed quite commendable to me. However, her methods and overconfidence could use some work. You see, in high-powered positions like hers, thinking you know it all isn’t the best approach. Instead, I believe it’s more beneficial to listen to others, to draw wisdom from their experiences.

After the conclusion of the series, I’ve often pondered about Alex’s potential future. As I envision it, due to her actions, she might unwillingly transform into a symbol of hope and sacrifice. Such a status could stir quite a storm, given the tumultuous world we find ourselves in.

Caplan speculates that Alex, currently incarcerated in a comfortable white-collar prison, may choose to abandon politics and start a bakery in Alaska once her ordeal is over. Caplan believes that it might not be beneficial for her to return to politics after everything she has been through. She suggests that there’s a sense of relief that comes with acknowledging one’s mistakes and facing the consequences, and there’s something redeeming about admitting wrongdoings. Furthermore, she proposes that Alex could benefit from several years of intense therapy as a means to heal and move forward.

Subsequently, Modine’s Speaker Dryer elaborated on Alex’s ideas more extensively. He shared with Mullen his ambition to isolate the extreme political groups from both sides for the greater good, understanding well the devastation that their sudden cyberattack could inflict.

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Later, Modine’s Speaker Dryer expanded on Alex’s plans. He confided in Mullen about his aspiration to marginalize the extreme political elements from both sides for a greater cause, recognizing the destruction their untimely cyberattack would bring.

Modine emphasized to THR that maintaining a neutral stance was crucial for his character while delivering the speech, which featured Dreyer and Mullen, two individuals with contrasting viewpoints standing near the Washington Monument. “It wasn’t about party colors or political affiliations,” Modine clarified. “It was about tackling problems from various angles.” He continued, “The essence lies in the fact that the current state of American politics is marked by an inability to bridge the divide and engage in dialogue. It seems we’ve reached a point where we say, ‘I’m right, you’re wrong.’ Instead, we should focus on what’s best for the country.

I passionately assert, “This state of affairs won’t foster a thriving American democracy, our grand experiment. Instead, it dismantles and leaves us in a phase of darkness and dread. Fear, indeed, proves to be an incredibly potent tool. Perhaps the most effective weapon to control and manipulate people.

Linka Glatter, the director of all six episodes, shares with THR, “The scene between Bob and Matthew is one of my favorites because these two characters hold contrasting views, yet they both express truths. It’s not about good versus evil or black and white; it’s about the many nuances and complexities in a world full of shades of gray.

Zero Day is now streaming all six episodes on Netflix.

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2025-03-01 20:55