Red Eye Ending Explained: Who Killed Shen Zhao?
In the gripping season finale of Red Eye, the truth behind the murder of Shen Zhao and the subsequent framing of Matthew Nolan is finally revealed. Mike Maxwell, a rogue CIA operative, emerges as the mastermind behind this complex conspiracy.
Shen Zhao’s Murder and the Framing of Matthew Nolan
The revelation begins in Beijing on the night of Shen Zhao’s death. Mike Maxwell and his CIA colleagues witness Shen Zhao and Matthew Nolan sharing a drink at a club. However, when Shen Zhao stabs Matthew, we now realize that she is also implanting a nano-SIM in his body.
As Matthew flees, Mike Maxwell and his associate, Jones, confront Shen Zhao outside the club. Mike demands the contents of the nano-SIM, which Shen Zhao claims she is giving to MI6. However, upon discovering that Shen Zhao has nothing they are looking for, Mike and Jones kill her and leave her body in Nolan’s crashed car.
In a cunning move, Mike bribes the police to allow this, effectively misleading the Chinese authorities. However, Maxwell’s true motive goes deeper. He is seeking the injured doctor, Matthew Nolan, at his hotel and, upon finding him missing, orders his apprehension at Heathrow Airport.
The Involvement of Air Marshall Zhang and the Plane Killer
The plot thickens with the introduction of Air Marshall Zhang and the sinister plane killer. John Tennant, at Dunsfold Airbase, identifies them as freelancers with no apparent affiliations. However, as the investigation unfolds, it becomes apparent that both individuals are being indirectly paid by the CIA. This revelation paints a clear picture of the Americans as the villains of the piece.
Mike Maxwell’s Sinister Plan
Mike Maxwell’s plan is further unveiled when he approaches Delaney, the MI5 Director General, and requests the nano-SIM. Delaney’s suspicion is aroused as she had never mentioned that the item found on Matthew Nolan was a SIM card. Maxwell’s sinister intentions escalate as he instructs his colleague to drug Hana, Matthew, and Jess and seize the SIM.
However, Matthew’s sharp instincts save the day. He recognizes Maxwell’s CIA colleague, Cohen, as the person who spooked Shen Zhao in Beijing on the fateful night. The trio, with Delaney’s assistance, take the CIA operatives by surprise and manage to escape.
The Contents of the Nano-SIM
Once safe from the CIA, Delaney transmits the files from the nano-SIM to Thames House. The first file, labeled ‘original,’ contains malicious hacker code designed to lie dormant in an operating system, granting a third party complete control. The second file, labeled ‘CAE,’ appears identical but has been altered to infiltrate the control system of a nuclear reactor.
Delaney concludes that with this hack, an individual could remotely take control of a reactor and trigger a catastrophic meltdown. Shockingly, these hacks originated in America, with the second file modified to appear Chinese.
Mike Maxwell’s Motives
Delaney exposes Mike Maxwell’s true intentions: to frame China by having MI6 discover the code and blame them, thereby ending the British-Chinese partnership. This revelation is confirmed by Shen Zhao’s actions in providing both files to MI6. She aimed to prevent a conflict between China and the US by showing MI6 the original hack and the altered one that was intended to look Chinese.
The Aftermath
Mike Maxwell, the rogue CIA agent responsible for Shen Zhao’s murder, is apprehended by Chinese soldiers in the gardens of the Chinese Embassy. He is likely to face severe charges in China, and it is doubtful that the British authorities will intervene to protect him.
Delaney, in a wise move, decides not to disclose the contents of the SIM to Minister Tang, claiming that it was destroyed at the US Embassy. This decision honors Shen Zhao’s sacrifice in preventing a war between China and the US.
Matthew Nolan fortunately survives after undergoing surgery, and Delaney updates Jess on the situation. While she is unable to pursue the story about the CIA, she has the opportunity to expose Operation Blindside, a compelling narrative in its own right that steers clear of triggering a global war.
In a final twist, Hana reveals that Delaney shared her mother’s file, granting her and her father the truth they have long sought.
