The episode kicks off with journalist Evan Green questioning the very existence of the Reapers, slamming George for mass arrests and targeting everyday Americans. Meanwhile, George, growing wary of his medication, tosses his pills, signaling his desire to regain control.
Tensions flare as Valerie replaces Roger as George’s chief of staff. Their history is messy, Roger, a recovering addict, once relied on George as his N.A. sponsor, while Valerie had an affair with George in the past. Roger retaliates by confronting her about it, making it clear this change in leadership isn’t sitting well.
On Day 15, the commission has made no real progress and pressure mounts. Dreyer urges Alex to investigate her father, a task she dreads but accepts. Meanwhile, George orders Roger to confirm if Anna is dead while also demanding a refill of his now-discarded prescription. Roger, already under threat from hedge fund mogul Lyndon, is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Things get murkier when the commission discovers they never actually arrested Paul, the kid Green has been advocating for. Meanwhile, Roger visits Anna’s grave and finds a body inside, but is it hers? His suspicions deepen when Natan resurfaces, warning that George is compromised and that both of them need to disappear.
As protests grow, George turns his attention to an arrested suspect named Hayes, a former soldier linked to Zero Day’s financing. His interrogation starts friendly but quickly turns ruthless, with George leveraging threats against Hayes’ family. Just as he thinks he’s cracked the man, George hears the haunting words: Who Killed Bambi?
Meanwhile, Roger uncovers a link between Hayes, Green, and even Anna. But Valerie and Carl dismiss the connection as circumstantial. Ignoring their caution, George makes a bold move—ordering Green’s arrest without a warrant. As the commission scrambles, Roger stumbles upon George’s diary, which suggests his paranoia may be worse than they thought.
The episode ends with George smugly visiting Green in prison, but as Valerie digs deeper into Proteus, it’s clear someone is playing a much larger game.
At the halfway point, Zero Day is firing on all cylinders. The layers of deception, manipulation, and George’s deteriorating mental state make for a gripping watch. Is he solving the mystery or becoming its biggest liability?
De Niro’s performance continues to shine, especially as George becomes increasingly erratic yet dangerously persuasive. His interrogation of Hayes is chilling, a reminder of the ruthless politician he once was. Meanwhile, Roger remains a fascinating wildcard, torn between protecting George and saving himself.
With so many players, Valerie, Alex, Lyndon, Natan, and the ever-looming CIA, the tension is razor-sharp. The big question lingers: if George shut down Proteus, why doesn’t he remember it? And if he’s being played, who’s orchestrating the downfall of a former president?
