What a relief, The Regime has come to an end! For the last eight weeks, I have been suffering from Kate Winslet‘s crooked mouth and exaggerations, Matthias Schoenaerts‘ screams and tears Stephen Frears‘ nonsense story, and lots of hysteria. The creative waste of the series that mocks the dictatorial political process of countries led by populist and corrupt leaders fell short of any goal other than putting the (until then perfect) actress in the WORST role in her entire career. I never thought I would see Kate Winslet make mistakes and mistakes so badly, especially surrounded by great talents. There wasn’t one left.

Since the series’ teaser aired, without causing fear or laughter, we have seen the actress as the Chancellor of a fictional European nation challenging the United States. There is? It’s strange and exaggerated, but the story will contextualize it. And none of that. The plot of a hysterical, bad character, unbalanced leader simply had so many twists and turns and poor people around her that it can’t even be summarized. It didn’t make a difference.

Ah, okay, they wanted to exaggeratedly reproduce how we are experiencing the current global political moment, in which attempted coups or attacks only reinforce the popularity of people who are unable to move around in society and end up being the drivers of countries. We then see that Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) and Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts) are forced to flee the palace when the rebels take power. Hunted by the resistance, they suffer but find shelter in a very obviously suspicious supporter, they are betrayed and handed over to the newly formed National Freedom Front.

That league is headed by Laskin (Danny Webb), Elena’s former head of security, but can’t run it right away because he needs to ensure a seemingly peaceful transition. Under threats and torture, she agrees to help her enemies, in a sequence in which the same exaggerated Winslet puts on a show (finally, but for nothing). In countless twists and turns, the chancellor is rescued by American mercenaries, who “offer” a “deal”: she can return to power, but she has to guarantee favorable commercial conditions to the United States. She quickly accepts. The price? To “justify” her last year as erratic, the scapegoat will be none other than Zubak. Let’s agree that this isn’t even putting the blame on the shoulders of an innocent person? Zubak stepped in and helped Elena make ALL the mistakes that led to her downfall.

So, still, in the show’s sequences to explore Winslet’s talent, she accepts and prepares to sacrifice her lover. Manipulative until the last second, she barely convinces him that they will be pretending to take the deal to plan their own future coup from the inside. Zubak continues the game but is then executed.

So, months later, we see that Elena was re-elected, that she returned with her husband Nicky (Guillaume Gallienne) and everything returned to “normal”. And we say goodbye to her now, using the date of victory to worship Zubak, who is in the same underground sanctuary where she once kept the body of her abusive father. And the song If You Leave Me Now, by the band Chicago, which was when Zubak fell in love with her, confirms that nothing has changed.

Empty like that, Folks!

The worst thing is knowing that Kate Winslet is hoping for a second season. The conclusion of The Regime applies to both politicians and artists, in an unintentional metaphor. No matter how horrible or selfish the protagonist’s actions are, the cost is borne by the people/consumers. I suffered from the embarrassment of both Kate and Mathias, intense and committed to a poorly told, poorly tied, and unbearable story. Down with the Regime!

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