The Regime Episode 4: Recap & Ending Explained – What does Elena make Zubak do for her?

Until now, “The Regime” on HBO followed the shifting power dynamics between Chancellor Elena Vernham and the newly appointed Corporal Herbert Zubak. In the previous episode, we saw Elena taking charge back from Zubak, who made her act as he wanted. She also made some surprising developments to the land reform policy that Zubak hoped to bring to life. So, he has an emotional outburst, which gets him thrown out of her close circle. Now, HBO’s “The Regime” episode 4 takes place four months after Zubak was thrown out of the palace. Elena tries to curb the growing public sentiment against her. An unknown source contacts Agnes and tests her loyalty to the regime.

Spoilers ahead.

The Regime Episode 4 Recap: 

Episode 4: Midnight Feast

Earlier, we saw Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) taking back charge of her operations and throwing Corporal Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts) out of her palace. About four months later, Zubak remains locked inside a room, being forced to Elena’s speech at every waking moment of his life. He hopes the guards turn off the radio to offer him a respite from this mental torture. But, the guards only note that it is a regulation. While getting beaten regularly behind the barbed wires, he notices Elena’s political rival, Keplinger (Hugh Grant). This happens while Elena tries to curb the growing public sentiment against her for her recent catastrophic decisions.  

At her palace, Elena takes the temperature to unusual lows. While others complain about it, she complains about it still being too hot. Nicholas (Guillaume Gallienne) remains subservient to her while young Oskar (Louie Mynett) sleeps next to her. She also expects Oskar to follow her wherever she goes, checking the air quality around her. Like before, she complains about trivial matters – how the kid’s breath smells like feces. Meanwhile, she keeps a tap on Zubak’s condition through Agnes (Andrea Riseborough). While doing so, she calls him ‘it,’ trying to hide her interest in Zubak from her husband.  

What makes people question Elena’s leadership? 

Minister Schiff (David Bamber) and Minister Singer (Henry Goodman) stay worried about the tragic results of Elena’s rash decisions. The regime’s economy bears the burden of her choice to cut ties with the US, besides her decision related to the Faban corridor. She thinks their deal with China will immediately help them relieve this stress. Her ministers try their best to convince her that it is far from reality. Then, they bring another pressing matter to the discussion: a police horse attacked a pregnant woman working at the sugar beet country in Westgate. The woman and her child died in this attack. It created unrest in the regime and maligned Elena’s image in the people’s minds. 

What happens during Elena’s televised discussion?

Despite the tragedy, Elena remains concerned only with the temperature at her palace. Still, she decides to invite children from Westgate to answer their queries during a live telecast. The kids question her about the threat to their livelihood because of her selfish policies. She diverts the topic by gaslighting them and winning the Faban empire. Also, she gets riled up when asked about the horse-related incident. Suddenly, her nose starts bleeding, which worries the children and her staff. 

Elena keeps being ignorant about the protests and apathetic toward the commoners. Nicholas warns her of the measures needed to save their failing economy.  As per his suggestion, Elena leaves her haven to meet the sugar beet union of Westgate workers to address their concerns. During the drive, she keeps bickering about the high temperature. The workers question her with their genuine concerns about China’s cheaper produce, which could lead to joblessness. Elena hides her agenda under diplomatic answers as a part of her damage control plan. 

What happens to Zubak in the jail?

Zubak receives a book written by Keplinger. Soon after, the guards drag him to Keplinger’s cell to have a chat. Zubak complains about how Keplinger misused his power to help his rich leftist friends when he was chancellor. Keplinger makes the guard leave the room to share a meal with Zubak. Later, Elena visits Keplinger to check Zubak’s condition indirectly. She is worried that he is turning against her. Be that as it may, Zubak senses her presence around him.  

Afterward, Keplinger tries to sway Zubak’s mind against Elena, stating how she used his loyalty for her own benefit. He hopes to make Zubak feel that they are in the same fight due to their solidarity toward the working class and for being captives of Elena’s whims. Keplinger suggests working together to give back what’s stolen from the working class. Zubak insists they keep America out of the equation. Keplinger notes their need to stabilize their economy. Besides, he wants Elena to bear the brunt of her actions. Instead of being confident in Keplinger’s support, Zubak gets even more confused about his next course of action.  

The Regime Episode 4 Ending Explained:

Who contacts Agnes, and how does she respond?

In the middle of her work, Agnes keeps receiving messages from a stranger, lending her a helping hand out of her tragic situation. This American person wants to help her and Oskar escape their misery. Later, he also sends her a photo with geo-location, with the intent of helping her and her child. Eventually, the person calls her to alert her about the emergency state of their regime. While hearing him speak, she notices someone in the palace. So, she suddenly changes her mind and states her loyalty to the regime.  

What does Elena make Zubak do for her?

Instead of helping the workers, Elena plots a conspiracy against the union leader to get him arrested and to silence the opposing voices. Instead, it results in violent protests. She even uses the aspect of violence to rise as a protector. While that happens, she keeps everyone in the palace locked in, stating it is for their security. Meanwhile, in the prison, she keeps Zubak loyal to his feelings for her. Out of his lust for her, Zubak chokes Keplinger to death. As a result, Mr Laskin (Danny Webb) brings him back to the palace. Once inside, Zubak and Elena act upon their unfulfilled desire. While they proceed to have sex, the ministers drag Nicholas out of the room.  

Through every other episode, “The Regime” hits us too close to home. We see a reigning party putting their political opponents behind bars solely for their difference of opinion. The chancellor considers it criminal to be asked questions about her wrongs and held accountable for them. Besides, the cobalt mining discussions at the heart of the show reflect deeply exploitative industry practices prevalent in many parts of the world. Densely populated with such real-life parallels, this satire is eerily close to real life.

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The Regime Episode 3 Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia
The Regime Episode 3 Cast: Kate Winslet, Andrea Riseborough, Matthias Schoenaerts, Hugh Grant, Martha Plimpton, Guillaume Gallienne

Where to watch The Regime