The Regime Episode 3: Previously, HBO’s “The Regime” mainly showed Corporal Zubak’s growing influence over Elena’s mind. He saved her from a life-threatening attack and continued to use this incident to his advantage. Furthermore, he even made her reject a cobalt deal with the US and intimidated Senator Holt to leave their country.
Later, he ensured Elena humiliated a billionaire who benefited from exploiting miners. Now, the third episode shows Zubak taking Elena’s place in the cabinet meeting, which results in new land reform policies. Later, after throwing a birthday party for her deceased father, she makes a startling announcement of a military operation, which shakes up the dynamics of her staff. Nicholas gets pleased as punch, but Zubak doesn’t.
Spoilers Ahead
The Regime Episode 3 “The Hero’s Banquet” Recap:
Corporal Herbert Zubak (played by Matthias Schoenaerts) continues to have a strong hold on Chancellor Elena Vernham’s (played by Kate Winslet) mind. Nicholas (played by Guillaume Gallienne) is jealous of this new man in her life, who disturbs his sexual and romantic relationship with her. Nevertheless, Elena still follows Zubak’s prescribed diet and stays under his spell. When Nicholas asks her about the Belize fund, she diverts the topic. As if that’s not enough, she sends Zubak to cabinet meetings instead of herself.
What does Zubak propose to the cabinet?
Chancellor Elena sends Zubak to her cabinet meeting. Over there, Zubak reads out an excerpt from their new land reform policy to benefit the working families. It involves the large-scale transference of private property from the elite to the working classes. According to Zubak, this can eliminate the dependence on foreign money. The ministers cannot digest this new policy because it fundamentally changes the nature of their operations and benefits. Minister Singer (played by Henry Goodman) points out how this land reform policy can result in economic slowdown and food scarcity.
Despite Singer’s qualms, Zubak calls that policy an order. So, there won’t be any discussions and they must comply with what is being told. Zubak also notes that Elena has approved it. Since Singer doesn’t stop complaining, Zubak intimidates him to shut him up. Later, Elena shoots a commercial video to publicize their new land reform policies. Zubak is delighted by it, but not Singer. The Corporal keeps thinking of ways to manipulate Elena’s thoughts. Meanwhile, Nicholas tries explaining to Elena, the fundamental issues with her new policy, where she tries to be charitable in an authoritarian regime.
What do Elena’s associates think about the land reform policy?
Besides the ministers, Nicholas worries about the implications of Elena’s land reform policy plans. The ministers worry that Zubak is forcing Elena to follow it without thinking about the consequences to their economy. Later, Mr Laskin (played by Danny Webb) speaks with Elena about their country’s relations with Taiwan after their botched deal with the US. Instead, Elena wants to focus on discussing the remaining Europe. Laskin mentions the effect of her and Zubak’s isolationist policies on America, who want to stay distant from their country.
Later on, Elena goes to pay her respects to her deceased father. She gets emotional but expresses her frustration about his disregard for her authority. Elena mentions the land reform policy as a terrific idea. By talking with him, she tries to convince herself of the benefits of her new reforms. Soon after, while exercising with Zubak, she opens up about her and her family members’ slug funds in several places, which were the result of exploitation of the locals. She assumes Zubak is her safe space to communicate things that bother her.
What does Zubak do after Elena’s confession?
Nicholas worries Zubak is pushing Elena to the brink through his regimen. Zubak still points out that it is for her own good. He makes Elena stay a night apart from Nicholas to relieve her anxieties. Furthermore, he even scolds Agnes (played by Andrea Riseborough) for not maintaining hygiene in the gymnasium, even though she did. At the dinner, Elena is surprised to see a lot of commoners sitting at tables instead of the affluent bunch she usually spends time with. Predictably, it was Zubak’s idea. He also forces Elena to tell them about the sledge funds and how her ministry exploited them.
Elena gets flabbergasted and tries to maintain the decorum. Then, Zubak makes an impassioned speech in a robin-hood fashion. Later, Elena imagines a conversation with her deceased father, who calls her out for being too meek. He makes her understand not to submit to anyone, even Zubak, to control her life and her decisions. Going forward, she decides to do things differently. She attends the cabinet meeting herself and shares another shocking update to their new policy.
The Regime Episode 3 “The Hero’s Banquet” Ending Explained:
What does Elena announce as her new policy?
Elena joins the ministers to speak about her new policy. She proposes acquiring land to reunify the Faban brothers effectively. Mr. Laskin objects to her proposal, which he considers an annexation of the ethnic land of Faban Corridor. He fears the resulting bloodbath as a result of her choices that involve invasion. Instead of calling it for what it is, she calls it an offering of love and peace to their countrymen or ‘lawful annexation.’ For this controversial military operation, she also sends Zubak to the front lines. Then, she starts distancing herself from Zubak, which pleases Nicholas.
Zubak takes her controversial decision as an assault on his ego. The change in their power dynamic unsettles him, and he cannot digest the fact that she is not putting him on a pedestal. Besides, she hides her plans with China or at least uses these private discussions to upset him. He cannot stand that she is going back to her evil, exploitative roots and using the commoners for her ambitions. In his fit of anger, he tries to strangle her. Then, he rushes out of her room and takes out his anger on others. Soon after, Elena discards him from her palace. It looks like her plan is to rile him up and use his impulsive behavior to cut ties with him.
