Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Zero Day!Zero Day creator Noah Oppenheim has explained why Robert De Niro’s George Mullen burns his memoir during the events of the political thriller show. During the end of Zero Day, while speaking at a press conference, Mullen reveals the names of all the congress members involved in the titular cyberattack, at the cost of his political career. Going home, he burns his memoir in his fireplace, offering a moment that appears symbolic of the finality of his latest decision, despite his now-uncertain future.
Speaking with Netflix’s Tudum, Oppenheim explained how Mullen’s decision to burn his memoir at the end of Zero Day acts as his acknowledgment that the information he revealed will define him in US history. By unmasking the members of Congress involved in the attack, everything that happened in his career before that moment is no longer as important. While the truth may be defined for him by history, he’s content knowing he did what was right. Check out what Oppenheim had to say below:
[Mullen] probably has realized his decision in the House Chamber is going to define his legacy moving forward, regardless of what he wrote before. So those pages have been rendered obsolete.
Being at peace with himself and having his integrity intact, that’s what really matters.
What Mullen Burning His Memoir Says About Zero Day’s Ending
The Show Is All About How History & Truth Intersect
Mullen’s final major act in the show was revealing which characters in Zero Day were involved in the cyberattack. While he’d originally been instructed to speak about Monica Kidder (Gaby Hoffmann) and Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg) having a part to play in the devastation, he wound up calling out everyone involved by the very end. Burning his memoir reflects Oppenheim’s statement, the lesson being that he won’t let history define who he is, since he managed to do the right thing in the end. His personal journey triumphs over how he’ll be remembered.
While reviews for Zero Day have been mixed, citing a lack of focus on the mystery throughout, the final episode still provides refreshing closure because of Mullen’s decision. By publicly revealing who was involved in the cyberattack, he managed to make a selfless act his final moment as a politician, even if later consequences might catch up to him. By doing this, he also held accountable those responsible for devestation across the country, doing the right thing instead of trying to be remembered for something.
Our Take On Mullen Burning His Memoir
A Powerful Ending For Zero Day
By having Zero Day end with Mullen burning his memoir, the show offers a satisfying conclusion that speaks to the importance of doing what’s right instead of trying to be remembered for something. Ironically enough, his decision to reveal who was involved in the attack might change public perception on him, making him a President who gets an important role in the history books. This makes the moment all the more powerful, as he’ll now be recalled for doing the right thing.
