Zero Day recap guide: All 6 episodes explained

So many TV series, limited or ‘"unlimited," are dubbed as binge-able, something the viewers can gulp quickly, often in a single go, but really have the plot, tension, or execution (or neither of those) to deserve the epithet.

Well, if you are seeking one that you can easily muster in one go (with the usual breaks), then Zero Day, the six-episode limited series starring Robert De Niro and a quite stellar cast that just started showing on Netflix is certainly the one for you. Actually, it is a worthy watch, whether you want to binge on it or not.

An intriguing (horrifying) idea is developed into a tense, gripping plot with a number of streams that, in the beginning, pose more questions with possible puzzling answers that slowly unravel with a number of surprising answers that are kept hidden almost or fully to the end.

Zero Day is definitely one to watch on Netflix

At the same time, the cast led by De Niro includes the likes of Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Caplan, Angela Bassett, Mathew Modine, and others, who are able to carry the plot and, at times, some riveting action to its conclusion.

So, what is the Zero Day about? George Mullen (De Niro) is a former one-term president who is tasked to lead a special investigative commission into a massive cyberattack that has serious and horrific consequences.

Through a series of false and not-so-false leads, actions, personal crises, and relations, Mullen concludes his investigation with a number of twists. Recapping the six episodes without giving too many spoilers isn’t easy with this one, but here is the gist of all the six episodes that present quite a gripping watch.

Episode 1

Secluded in his residence somewhere in New State, former one-term president George Mullen is leading a quiet life with all the privileges a former president gets. His attempt at writing a memoir is not going well, as a meeting with the publisher’s representative shows, and it turns out that the problem seems to mainly stem from the fact that his son died during his presidency.

As the representative leaves, a quick, horrific cyberattack ensues, and it seems that the representative is among thousands of victims. The sitting president, Evelyn Mitchell (Angel Bassett), wants Mullen to head the investigative commission into the attack, which would give it unprecedented powers.

After deliberating the offer with his wife Sheila (Joan Allen) and his former aide Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons) giving him a go-ahead sign and his daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), a current congresswoman, opposing it, Mullen accepts, but a number of intriguing questions open as the episode winds up.

The first information seeping in indicates the involvement of Russia and a group of hackers located in NYC. To proceed with his work Mullen contacts his old source from an unidentified intelligence service, who is very cryptic with the information he gives. But a number of intriguing questions open as the episode winds up - is Mullen still of a sound mind, is the deceased publisher representative still alive, and is there more to the story than just the involvement of Russia and the NYC hackers?

Episode 2

The commission starts its work focusing on the possible involvement of Russia in the cyberattack through a hacking ring that possibly involves the NSA in the whole thing. Through his visions, Mullen publicly mentions a mysterious term - Proteus, something that stirs additional unease in the official circles.

A number of intriguing questions open up - from the dilemma should whether the U.S. immediately act upon the possible Russian involvement to whether Mullen himself has unidentified health issues to the involvement and role of a shady businessman who is trying to exert his influence through Carlson, who is again Mullen’s aide in the commission, but who obviously had shady dealings with Lynden - the businessman. In the meantime, Mullen tasks Carlson to find the truth, whether the publisher's representative is really dead, and what her role in the whole thing was.

As the doubts about Mullen’s capabilities and his methods start to creep in, from official circles to the general public, he remains firm in his attempts to continue. To shore his position, Mullen’s wife Sheila involves Valerie Whitesell (Connie Britton), his former chief of staff (and it turns out, also his former lover) into the whole investigative commission. In the meantime, the mysterious NSA operative disappears from the picture.

Episode 3

After the initial arrests and investigations, a set of negative public and official reactions set in, spearheaded by a conspiracy theory TV journalist Evan Green (Dan Stevens), and Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine), speaker of the house, who wants to be involved in the process though an oversight committee, to which he appoints Mullen’s daughter Alex, which is actually supposed to investigate Mullen.

It turns out that Mullen’s daughter and Alex were secret lovers, which they have rekindled in the meantime, and Valerie takes over Carlson’s role as Mullen’s main chief aide, making sure he is on a safe path.

Dreyer starts exerting more pressure on Mullen, both through public appearances, pressure on his daughter Alex, as well as on president Mitchell. And Green pushes even more pressure with his conspiracy theories. Mullen’s insider gives Carlson some ominous information and seems to drop out of the picture, and President Mitchell starts wavering in her support.

False information is piling up, and when the commission gets good info, the still mysterious real perpetrators seem to get the information to evade Mullen’s moves before he takes them. Pressure mounts and Mullen still has visible and audible visions, and Lynden, who has a vested interest in the whole mess, puts more pressure on Carlsen. Under presser and available info, Mullen detains Green.

Episode 4

Another cyber attack ensues, this time on a financial institution, handing Mullen and his investigation new setbacks, with another name getting prominence- that of Monica Kidder, a tech mogul that can both hinder or help. Dreyer lays some of his cards on the table - he wants President Mitchell to fire Mullen and name him as the head of the commission.

Dreyer lays some of his cards on the table - he wants President Mitchell to fire Mullen and name him as the head of the commission.

At the same time, Mullen is trying to unravel two more mysteries -whether the publisher’s representative is really dead and what lies behind the mysterious term of Proteus. With the help of Valerie, Mullen discovers what Proteus really is.

Business mogul Kidder also pushes for more involvement in the work of the commission without really revealing whether she wants to help or deter its work. His somewhat sidelined aide Clemons, by chance, discovers the communication methods of conspirators and is at the same time put in front of an extremely difficult choice that could have dire consequences not only for the work of the commission but for him personally. Mullen takes a psych test to prove his sanity.

Episode 5

Things are still going downhill for Mullen, as he arrests, uses some shady interrogation methods on him, and then releases Green, as the public and official disenchantment with his work is at its peak. A memory of his son’s death sets in ensued by another tragedy, that shakes Mullen’s work and that of the commission.

At the same time, Dreyer’s push to discredit and replace Mullen is in full swing, with Dreyer banking his attempts at a testimony Mullen’s wife Sheila has to give before Congress. Her testimony doesn’t go down as planned.

The role of his daughter, Alex, in the whole affair slowly starts to discover itself, and the commission has a breakthrough concerning the communication methods between the conspirators. Mullen and the commission discover the real roles of both Lynden and Kidder, which eventually leads to more discoveries and some tragic results. Suddenly, things start to open up.

Episode 6

Slowly, all the questions start to get their answers, partly through another tragedy that previously ensued. All the participants in the plot are discovered, as well as who is openly or not so openly supporting Mullen.

Another cyberattack ensues, and Mullen gets support from an unexpected side. All the conspirators are uncovered and lay their cards on the table, with Mullen given the possibility to completely expose the whole plot. The former president gets his answers without liking quite a few of them, and all the sides involved, from the plotters to his family to the sitting president, present all their intentions and agenda.

In writing and presenting his final report, Mullen is faced with an excruciating dilemma that could seriously affect both his personal life and the state of the nation. While presenting his findings, Mullen makes his final decision on what to do.