A test pattern on a TV screen is shown. Phillip narrates that when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union soon after, the world was up for grabs. A young Zhang saw the possibility and formed an investment group called the Deus Group. Images appear on the TV of different world leaders, Castro, Putin, Assad, Obama, often with Minister Zhang. The Deus Group made a lot of money on oil from the Gulf War, and Zhang sought to grow more power. The rise of the Internet connected the world, using America as a prime test subject. People put all their information online. The Whiterose began construction of her billion dollar machine underneath Washington Township. Phillip eventually realized that they were all working for her goal.
Act I The day after Elliot's demise, December 23rd, Phillip is looking over his conspiracy board in the abandoned Allsafe office. He explains that he had been tasked with killing Elliot. Mr. Robot narrates the crazy situation, that their longtime enemy saved them, but at what cost. Elliot ignores a call from Darlene. Phillip says that the heist won't work, as the Deus Group is impenetrable. Elliot believes that Phillip can use E-Corp to get them in. Phillip says his liaison was Susan Jacobs, but she disappeared months ago. Elliot challenges Phillip to stop them, who killed his daughter Angela. Elliot reveals that he looked into Phillip. He asks him on how he justifies on all he's done and if he realizes what the Whiterose is doing is wrong. Phillip reiterates that the heist is impossible. Elliot says that they only have 8 days until the end of the year. If Phillip doesn't fight back, he might as well be dead. Phillip replies that both of them have been dead men walking when they decided to work with the Whiterose. After Phillip leaves, Elliot tells Mr. Robot that Phillip will be back. They have to find Susan Jacobs. Darlene calls him. Telling him that their mother Magda is dead.
Act II: At the nursing home, a nurse gives her condolences to both Elliot and Darlene. They coldly tell her that they simply want to donate their mother's belongings. The nurse leaves them to get pack up. Darlene apologies for her attitude yesterday. Elliot says that they're cool as he puts their mother's things in a box. Darlene puts on one of her mother's coats and smokes by the window. She asks if Elliot feels any relief as she claims to be happy. Elliot finds his old Walkman in a drawer. Darlene takes it and puts it in her bag. She looks through a jewelry box and finds a receipt for a E-Bank safety deposit box.
At the FBI, Dominique is in an interview with Agent Horton. He asks about Ernesto Santiago and how Dominique knew him, how she would describe him as a boss. Horton asks about Santiago's disappearance on October 23. He reminds Dominique that erasing security footage is suspicious. Dominique asks for water. She slowly gets up to tell Horton that she believes Santiago was a double agent. After more prodding, as suggests she is fearful of repercussions, she ties him to a cartel.
At a taxidermy store, Janice is working on a deer while listening to a Charles Manson story. She receives a call from Dominique, in her ASAC office. The cover story was delivered. Janice writes down the name of Agent Horton and gets Dominique to declare that she is 99.9% sure that the mission was a success. A woman enters the store and Janice gives a cheery goodbye to Dominique. The woman puts her dead dog Bernice on the counter and asks to be with her forever.
At a funeral home, Mr. Robot reads a pamphlet and narrates about the cost of living and dying. Elliot is focused on finding Susan Jacobs while they wait for the death certificate. Mr. Robot questions if Elliot is bottling his emotions and that he should take a moment or else the death of his mother will eat away at him. Elliot is more concerned about the Whiterose killing them all and walks away.
Darlene looks through a choice of coffins. She tells the funeral director that she didn't know the last time they spoke let alone her last wishes. Elliot tells him that they want her cremated, the cheapest coffin and the cheapest urn.
While waiting for the subway, Darlene wonders about the safety deposit box. Elliot is reading about Susan Jacobs and the possible fsociety connection to her disappearance. Darlene says that there may be secrets in the box. She takes his phone as he is ignoring her, but he quickly takes it back. Darlene insists that if they really are on good terms, he will come with her to the bank. She reminds him that when they were kids and that he would have an episode, he could squeeze her hand to remind him that everything was real. She asks him to help her. If there's nothing in the box, it will be a short trip. A man in a snowman costume nearby gives his condolences to them.
In an FBI interrogation room, Dominique and a fellow agent Hartman question an Irish mobster named Deegan Maguire of accusing of helping the other criminals disappear. Dominique receives a text from Janice, giving her condolences for her coworker Horton. Another agent Kaz enters and calls for Dominique's attention. On the news, a man (Horton) committed suicide by jumping from a building. Kaz reveals that it was Agent Horton who committed suicide. Janice sends another text, that her 99.9% should've been 100.
At E-Bank, a representative tells the Aldersons that the box was discarded two years when the payment stopped. He leaves when Darlene yells at him for throwing it out. Elliot wants to go and pick up the ashes. Darlene sits down, sad. Elliot asks what's going on. Darlene says that he doesn't give a shit, not about their mom, but about Angela. She really is gone. Darlene wonders on how Elliot can just move on, but he says he hasn't. He takes out the Walkman and inside is a cassette that reads "Happy Mother's Day". Darlene wonders on how their mom had it, as it wasn't for her. Elliot presumes that she wished it were for her. She was lonely. Darlene listens to it and smiles. Elliot joins her. It is them and Angela as kids, wishing Emily Moss a "Happy Mother's Day".
In an elegant room, Zhang is putting up the ornaments on a large Christmas tree. Phillip enters and says that the tree is unbalanced. He reveals that he is resigning as CEO of E-Corp at the end of the year. Zhang voices his displeasure, questioning Phillip's loyalty. Phillip says that he is leaving with what little he has left. The Deus Group must meet to approve his successor, a task Zhang knows is absurd to make it happen in a week. As Phillip leaves, Zhang yells that this isn't how their game is played. Phillip says that Zhang has won, causing Zhang to tear down the Christmas tree in anger.
At the funeral home, Elliot receives a call from Phillip. He has played his hand and now they wait. Elliot thanks him, but Phillip isn't doing it for him. Darlene enters with the urn. She reveals that she saw Elliot's phone earlier and asks on why he is hacking Susan Jacobs. She says she knew her and that the last E-Coin transaction to the animal shelter was from herself, not from Susan. Darlene recounts that their encounter and all of it but says that she killed her. Elliot yells. He then tells her that he knows what Susan Jacobs did for the Washington Township lawsuit. He needs everything Darlene has on her, as Susan was part of the Dark Army. Darlene is shocked to hear that Elliot is going after the Whiterose, saying that it's suicide. She discerns that Elliot is trying to protect her, even at the inevitable cost of his own life. Darlene wants to join him. She links their phones to share their locations.
Darlene says that she thought he was focused on Fernando Vera. Elliot is confused as to why she brought up his name? Darlene recounts that Vera freaked her out in October, but when she told Elliot, he brushed it off. Elliot looks over to Mr. Robot sitting afar from them, who returns a glance. Darlene leaves to get her info on Susan Jacobs. Mr. Robot doesn't know what Darlene is talking about, yet Elliot yells at him about trusting each other. Mr. Robot pulls him in close and appeals to him that he truly doesn't know what she was talking about. Elliot wonders who Darlene was talking to about Vera, if it was neither of them.
At a meeting room overlooking the New York skyline, the same room when Tyrell offered Elliot a job after the arrest of Terry Colby, (“eps1.1_ones-and-zer0es.mpeg”) a boy is spinning in the head chair. He appears to be a child version of Elliot. A younger version of Elliot's mom Magda enters, saying that she's been looking all over for the boy. She tells him to get out of the chair. He's not ready. They have to wait. The boy asks "Mr. Robot?" "Elliot?" Magda says no, it's the other one. They both leave.