Zero Day Episode 5 recap: Dreyer's power play, Kidder's role in the malware, and Her Shocking Death 

All six episodes of Zero Day were released on February 20, 2025. Directed by Lesli Linka Glattter, this conspiracy thriller marks Robert De Niro's TV series debut. Other important cast members include Jessica Plemons, Joan Allen, Angela Bassett, and Connie Britton.

Zero Day follows George Mullen (Robert De Niro), a former U.S. president called to investigate a massive cyberattack on the nation. The show also portrays Mullen's tragedies and problems, which occasionally grapple him. As each episode unfolds, we see Mullen trying his best to investigate the situation.

In Zero Day Episode 4, we find that a new cyber attack creates further setbacks for Mullen's investigation. In this episode, Monica Kidder- a powerful tech mogul rises to prominence but her role and motives remain unclear. Richard Dreyer (Mathew Modine), the Speaker of the House pressurizes President Mitchell to remove Mullen from the investigation. Dreyer's true motives and connections remain unknown though. Meanwhile, Mullen also faces some personal issues as he takes a psych test to prove that he is fit to work the case. However, the shocking turn comes with Roger Carlson's death in the episode.

In Zero Day Episode 5, things seemed to go downward for Mullen and his team. Not only professionally but Mullen faces personal challenges too as he has thoughts of his son's death. Meanwhile, Dreyer attempts to replace Mullen but fails to do so as Mullen's wife Sheila's testimony before Congress does not go as per their plans. The commission and Mullen discover the communication methods used by the attackers and thus also find out the involvement of Lyndon and Kidder which leads to further revelations and even death.

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Evan Green is set free while George Mullen regrets Roger's death: Zero Day Episode 5

Episode 5 begins with a bunch of journalists and cameramen running towards Evan Green while his lawyer defends him in front of the media by stating

"Evan Green has been released but he should never have been detained. What was done with him on behalf of the United States Government was unlawful, unethical, and inhumane. George Mullen's overreach now threatens to eclipse the very terrorism it was entrusted to stop."

In the next scene, we see Mullen trying to share an emotional moment with his wife Sheila reflecting on how he had witnessed his son Nick trying to skateboard in Albany. He also recalled how Nick kept doing his skateboard tricks until he finally succeeded but regretted that he didn't have the time to praise his son. Mullen also tells his wife that he did not want her to defend him during the Oversight Committee. Mullen also regrets the death of his Roger Carlson who was a part of the Zero Day Commission force led by George Mullen. Mullen's wife comforts him but he still regrets what he has done to himself, his family, and colleagues.

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Dreyer's political manipulation and threats to Mullen: Zero Day Episode 5

Dreyer threatens President Mitchell and stresses the fact that he has bipartisan support and asks her to remove George Mullen from the commission and appoint him in his place instead.

Meanwhile, Mullen faces the Oversight Committee, as Dreyer keeps attacking his position with allegations. Sheila, Mullen's wife tells the truth which states that whatever Mullen is doing is correct. She cites examples of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and FDR during World War 2 when asked about the suspension of civil liberties. Sheila faced all Dreyer's questions with confidence and was able to defend Mullen.

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Roger's funeral Investigation breakthrough and Monica Kidder's involvement: Zero Day Episode 5

The next scene shifts to Roger's funeral which Mullen attends but he soon gets flashbacks of his son Nick who was struggling with drugs. After the funeral, Alex asks him the reason he had wanted to see Roger's coffin when Mullen regrets that he should have seen his son Nick's body too at his funeral but he doesn't want to repeat the same mistake with Roger.

In a bittersweet conversation, Alex stated that she thought that Nick had died by suicide while Mullen stated that it was Drug Overdose instead. Mullen, then asks forgiveness from his daughter Alex, he seems well aware that his decision has impacted his family and colleagues.

When George was prepared to draft his resignation letter in the journal, he found a letter from Roger titled 'Boss'. The commission soon realized that it was a transcript that he overheard Lyndon on the radio during Zero Day. When the coders hacked the code they found out about the Zero Day attackers.

George informed Mitchell about the fact that the bank attack on Zero Day was a staged one. The investigation uncovers the fact that Monica Kidder's company Panoply was involved and buying the malware. The authorities finally arrest Kidder and while the public celebrates, Mullen and his team realize that Kidder might just be a scapegoat. However, Mullen is aware that the actual mastermind behind the attack is still on the loose.

Thus it was found out that Monica Kidder and Robert Lyndon, billionaire financier both had ties with the malware attack. Mullen also realised the attack was based on a government weapon called Proteus which was re-developed by Kidder's company to cater evil needs. Later Muller infiltrates the conspiracy posing as Lyndon to trick the attackers. Eventually Mullen arrests Leon, the programmer behind the malware attack.

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Kidder hangs herself in the prison cell: Zero Day Episode 5

Kidder contacts George and Valerie offering them to cooperate only in exchange for full immunity. She threatens to reveal a shocking truth about Valerie's daughter Lily. After a violent clash with Carl's squad at Kidder's home, she is finally arrested.

However, Kidder is found hanged in the prison cell, leaving several doubts about her role in the conspiracy and who is the main lead of Zero Day.

Read More:

1. Zero Day Episode 1 recap: America is under cyberattack
2. What does the term 'Zero Day' mean in cybersecurity? Details explored as Robert De Niro show gears up for Netflix premiere

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