Zero Day
What It's About
Zero Day is a Netflix limited series that follows a former U.S. president who is pulled back into service when a catastrophic global crisis threatens to dismantle the world order. The series explores themes of power, conspiracy, and redemption as the characters race against time to prevent total collapse.
When a mysterious cyberattack cripples critical infrastructure worldwide, the current administration turns to an unlikely source for help: a former president who has been living in relative obscurity. As the crisis deepens and the true scope of the threat becomes clear, old alliances are tested and new conspiracies emerge.
The series combines political thriller elements with high-stakes drama, exploring how individuals respond when faced with impossible choices that could determine the fate of nations.
My Review
Overall Thoughts
"Zero Day" is, in my opinion, one of the best limited series Netflix has ever made. While the middle section felt a bit slow, and there were some dead ends in the plot, the overall experience was incredible. If the show had been longer, perhaps 10 episodes instead of 6, it could have fully explored certain storylines that felt underdeveloped. Despite its flaws, I would rate it a solid 9 or 9.5 out of 10. No show is perfect, but this one comes close.
Storytelling and Pacing
The show takes place over 30 days, yet we only see about six hours of that time. This limited perspective leaves some gaps in the story. Some characters, like Roger Carlson, had vague backstories, his history with drugs is mentioned, but we never fully understand why he's being blackmailed or how he ended up in this position.
Additionally, the ending could have been expanded. If George Mullen was suspected to have been infected with the neuro-agent virus, why wasn't this confirmed or explored further? Adding a scene where they test him would have strengthened the resolution.
Political and Social Commentary
One of the most compelling aspects of Zero Day is how it mirrors real-world politics. The show reflects events like the January 6th Capitol riots, not by directly recreating them, but by showing similar tactics, rioters targeting shops, banks, and surrounding Mullen's car.
The show's critique of media and political rhetoric
The far-right talk show host, Evan Green, is clearly inspired by figures like Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones. His rhetoric reinforces the beliefs of his audience, which aligns with the reinforcement theory in media studies. His followers resemble groups like the Proud Boys and QAnon, particularly in their off-the-grid survivalist mentality.
Power, Control, and Hidden Agendas
The series explores the idea that once someone has power, they rarely want to give it up. This is exemplified in the Senate's secret plan and how power-hungry politicians justify their actions as "temporary." It parallels real-world leaders, including Trump, who has tried to delegitimize Biden's presidency while attempting to regain power himself.
Alex Mullen's Character Arc
Alex Mullen's complex character development
Alex Mullen, the former president's daughter, has one of the most interesting arcs. Initially, she believes that breaking the system will prove that the system is flawed. However, she fails to consider the real-world consequences, how shutting down technology, even briefly, can lead to mass chaos and death.
This mirrors a real-world event: the global IT outage in July 2024, where a software update crashed Windows systems used by banks, hospitals, and airports. The show takes this idea to an extreme, demonstrating how even a brief disruption can have devastating effects.
Distrust in Government and Institutions
A major theme in Zero Day is the inability to trust those in power. The president admits she didn't know who to trust, not even the congress. This reflects real-world concerns about political appointees serving their own interests.
Parallels to real-world political events
The show suggests that America's stability is more fragile than it seems. Since 9/11, militias and far-right groups have been preparing for a collapse, storing weapons and organizing in secret. Events like January 6th prove that these groups are willing to act on their beliefs.
Episode 6 - The Climax
My favorite episode is episode 6, the last episode. It's my favorite because you've gone through all the interesting buildup, and now you're at the main part. The second zero-day attack happens, but this time, they know what they need to do. They're using analog walkie-talkies to communicate, they understand the code, and they've broken off from the interference.
The tension builds in the final episode
I love it so much because Alex loses connection when the attack happens, and they move George Mullen and his wife out of his cottage villa. While they're doing this, protesters surround his car. I feel like if they had more shaky camera shots, dramatic music, and maybe more protesters, though I understand it was a relatively small production, it would have looked much better.
Protesters outside George Mullen's home
When I first saw this, the moment was already scary. You see armed men coming, banging on doors. They literally pull a guy out and throw him onto a cocktail. I'm surprised none of them had guns. Then you see them pull out one of the security guards who does have a gun. It's terrifying because he tries to give his gun to George Mullen, but he's unable to. At this moment, George Mullen could be shot.
Protesters surround George Mullen's car
The Final Confrontation
Then, the moment that changes everything. Mullen begins his speech: "Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet, Congress, my fellow Americans..."
As he talks about the Zero Day attacks, applause erupts. Then, a high-pitched ringing starts. He begins to fade out, struggling to focus. The teleprompter starts glitching, displaying strange words: "Murder, murder. Someone should be angry. The crime of the century. Who killed Bambi?"
The psychological tension mounts
And then, the moment that changes everything: "But not the truth."
The truth is revealed
Mullen continues: "The Zero Day attack was a conspiracy led by Speaker Richard Dwyer."
The shocking revelation
Chaos erupts. People start shouting, furious at Dwyer. "You traitor! I trusted you!"
The aftermath of the revelation
Final Thoughts
Zero Day isn't just a political thriller, it's a reflection of our current world. It critiques power struggles, media influence, and the dangers of technology, all while telling an engaging story. While some plotlines could have been expanded, and the middle of the series dragged slightly, the show still delivered a powerful message.
Suppose you analyze it through a critical lens. In that case, Zero Day provides a chilling look at how easily democracy can crumble, and how history has already laid the groundwork for such a collapse.
The powerful conclusion
