The Gordian Knot’s Meaning in Zero Day, Explained

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Netflix’s recent series titled “Zero Day” has sparked a lot of conversation, with the term “Gordian Knot” being a key element. However, you might be wondering what this phrase means and why it’s relevant in Robert De Niro’s latest production. Let me explain its significance.

In Greek mythology, the Gordian Knot was an intricate knot that was said to secure a wagon belonging to Gordius, the founder of the ancient city of Gordium. According to legend, whoever untied the knot would become ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great famously solved the riddle by simply cutting through the knot with his sword instead of untying it, demonstrating quick and decisive action.

In the context of “Zero Day” and Robert De Niro’s show, the term “Gordian Knot” might symbolize a complex problem or situation that requires an unconventional solution to be solved swiftly and effectively, just like Alexander the Great’s approach to the actual knot. The exact meaning may vary depending on the plot details of each series, but this is one possible interpretation.

What does the Gordian Knot mean in Zero Day?

In Zero Day, the term “Gordian Knot” symbolizes a catastrophic cyber-assault that cripples an entire country.

In the premiere of Netflix’s Zero Day, President Evelyn Mitchell likens the main cyber-assault to the “Gordian Knot,” a knot with mythological origins linked to Alexander the Great.

As the story goes, King Gordius of Phrygia created an intricately tangled knot that no one could untangle. A prophecy stated that whoever managed to untie it would rule over all Asia. Instead of trying to unravel the knot, Alexander the Great is said to have sliced it apart with his sword, demonstrating swift and bold action. Nowadays, the term “Gordian Knot” is often used to describe a problem that seems impossible to solve without taking unconventional or drastic steps.

As a devoted viewer, I can’t help but draw parallels between the intricate mystery unfolding in the show and the legendary Gordian Knot. In an instant, Zero Day strips us of our electronic tools, plunging us into a digital chaos that’s as complex as it is devastating. The ensuing aftermath is a labyrinthine mess, with the government frantically trying to untangle the threads of culpability. Yet, the digital trail left behind is so intricate and convoluted, it feels like we’re trying to unravel the Gordian Knot itself.

When President Mitchell speaks to Robert De Niro’s character, ex-President George Mullen, about the intricate digital trail they are attempting to untangle at Meade being like the Gordian Knot, she emphasizes the immense complexity of the task at hand. The government’s response mirrors this intensity. Mitchell suggests creating a powerful commission with extensive powers such as surveillance, search and seizure, and even the temporary suspension of habeas corpus—a proposal that leaves Mullen stunned.

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2025-02-24 10:40