Borgen (2010–2013): Season 4, Episode 6 - Power, Danish-style - full transcript

A NETFLIX SERIES

"EVERY BATTLE IS WON
BEFORE IT'S EVER FOUGHT." - SUN TZU

-[dogs barking]
-[device ringing]

[barking]

[device ringing]

[man, over radio]
Sled Team 5, this is Daneborg.

Sled Team 5 here.

Arctic Command has informed us
that an American aircraft

has detected an object that's crashed
57 kilometres from you.

Must be small plane or maybe a drone.

We can't get a helicopter to that area
and would like you to examine it.



Copy that.

[dogs barking]

New course. We're going north.

-Bloody hell, man. We were almost there.
-Something fell out of the sky.

Possibly a small aircraft.
AC wants us to check.

Get the dogs ready.
We're leaving immediately.

[theme music playing]

POWER IN DENMARK

This is a brief update.

Forty days' suspended sentence
and a fine of 7,000.

That's the price of killing 17 pigs
who would have been slaughtered anyway.

I accept the verdict, of course,

but how will the pig meat industry
be punished for--

[line ringing]



[voicemail recording]
This is Magnus. Leave a message.

Hi, sweetie, it's Mum.

Er, I can see
you're posting things on Instagram,

but you're not answering my messages
and you're not picking up when I call.

And I didn't mean to sound angry at all,
I'm just so incredibly sorry,

and I would like to explain
why I did what I did.

[knock on door]

So please give me a call.

Thanks.

-Should I come back in a bit?
-No, no. What?

Something from the sky has crashed
in Northeast Greenland.

We don't know what it is,

but a team from Sirius Patrol
has been sent,

and I'm in contact with
the Ministry of Defence and the PM.

What do we believe it to be?

No civilian planes are reported missing,

but Russia is running
a major military drill in the Arctic.

-Have the Russians lost a plane?
-Not officially.

-[knock on door]
-[Birgitte] Yeah?

-The Minister of Justice is on his way up.
-Thanks.

Can we ask the Russians in a discreet way

if they might have something
that could've crashed in Greenland?

Yes, we certainly can.

Who were the ones with
the great connections to the Russians?

-The Swedes.
-[Rasmus] Right.

-Shall I send someone a text message?
-[chuckles]

[Birgitte] Hi, Jon. Good to see you.

-Coffee?
-No, thanks.

[door closes]

You asked whether or not we can get
out of the deal with the Chinese.

The short answer is… no.

Not without breaking the contract.

That would make us liable for damages,
and that will be expensive.

We've sent you guys a 20-page reply,

but this… this is the conclusion.

-[Jon stands]
-No, Jon. Have a seat.

Are you reading your mails
at the moment, Birgitte?

People are starting to leave the party,

even our old members.

They blame the fact that we suddenly think
it's okay to ruin the environment

just because we're getting
2,000 billion for it.

That's really simplifying the problem.

No. Birgitte, you know
how much I'm fighting

to defend you.

We founded this party together.

We promised each other back then
that we wouldn't end up

being all the things
that make people despise politicians.

We are not a power-hungry party.

We are also a party in power. Look at you.

You're the Justice Minister.

As head of the party I have to make
the tough, unpopular choices.

Not without talking to the group first.

Yes, sometimes also without
talking to the group first.

And you will realise that
once you take over the party.

And you will.

You're the only one
who's capable of taking over.

I haven't forgotten
who we were when we started this.

Right now people have all sorts
of opinions about me,

and they're entitled to,
but I need to know

that you are with me.

[sombre ambient music playing]

[door closes]

[Tanja] Let's have an afterparty.
I've got the booze.

Hurry up! Hurry up!

We're going to party! Come on!

You don't got a future anyway.

[phone ringing]

[clattering]

[ringing continues]

Hi, Birgitte. It's… 5:20 a.m. here.

[Birgitte] Well, you're awake now.

The Ministry of Justice doesn't believe

we can get out of that deal
with the Chinese.

No. Of course they don't.

Why not?

Because Jon is pissed at you.

You're pretty sharp
at 20 past five, aren't you?

Parliament passed
a screening law last year

to prevent unwanted parties
from controlling critical infrastructure.

That goes for energy supply as well.
Can we use that in any way?

Let me just… Birgitte, I have to know

if we are for or against
the oil this morning?

We are for the oil

but are walking a tightrope between
China and the US at the moment.

And we were too late
with Josva's land allocation

so we have to find something else

that can give us grounds
to delay the process.

Exactly.

Maybe some sort of mistake
in the correspondence

between the drilling company
and the Greenlandic government?

Yeah, I've requested it.
They haven't released it.

Well, that could be a sign
that it's worth looking at it. Ask again.

Okay, so our first priority, er,

is to find something that can delay
the project and satisfy the Americans.

Our second priority is to get
billions in oil money to Denmark.

-Correct?
-That's correct.

Now you can get back to sleep again.

No, I might as well get up and meet Hans

and get Denmark the billions in oil money.
I'm awake anyway.

Clever boy. Have a nice day.

You too.

[Katrine] As you know,

I've had to tell Narciza
that she can't stay on as news anchor.

Er, and I think
you're entitled to know why.

Narciza is an incredible anchor,

but as a journalist

you have to accept
some editorial decisions.

I want us to be the best, but we need
to be pulling in the same direction.

[Katrine] Yes, Mikkel.

I just have to ask,
was one bad interview the deciding factor?

No, of course not.

And I didn't fire her
because of personal problems

between the two of us,
or whatever you might've heard.

I did so because our journalistic
differences had grown too big

and it was too big an issue.

I know that my predecessor
didn't attend editorial meetings

and kept a greater distance,

but I believe that I lead best
by being involved in editorial decisions.

Or as they write on Facebook,
by being a rigid, power-hungry bitch.

Well, let's just hope that nobody here
wants to go on maternity leave.

[scattered chuckles]

Let me lay that to rest as well.

I've absolutely no desire
to change the maternity rules.

And if that has been unclear
in any way, I'm sorry.

If you are displeased or angry
about anything in the future

please come to me directly.

Let's keep the dialogue open and in-house.

[Katrine] Thank you very much
and let's get back to work.

-[Tanja] Fuck off! Leave me!
-[woman] Don't go! Just…

Come and talk to me! Tanja! Please!

[Tanja] No, stop! Stop! Just stop it!

[woman] You're really drunk.
Just calm down! Please!

No, it's none of your business!
Don't tell me what to do!

I'm not telling you-- Stop it!

-[woman] You're drunk.
-Tanja?

You've got to go home.

Please, stop. Tanja, you're just making…

Oh, Tanja, please!

[woman] Tanja!

[in Chinese] We have to do something
about the internet.

[in Chinese] It took 34 minutes
to download an Excel spreadsheet.

[in English] Morning.

-[in English] Good morning.
-What are you doing here?

I have a meeting with Hans. And you guys?

[man] But he's gone to Nuuk.

Today?

Yeah.

Okay, we will lead
with China's presence in Greenland

and get both foreign
and domestic reactions.

We should also mention the government
has been in power for 100 days.

[Pia] Yes.

The infallible Kragh is the captain
of a perfect team,

except for Nyborg who's been close
to getting the red card,

as Kragh would say.

I think someone else might get expelled.
Have a look at what Benjamin's brought us.

I stopped by the Ministry of Climate
to interview the minister about taxes

on new electric cars,
and I just had to ask her

about the new oil in Greenland.

[Benjamin] Nadia Barazani,
as Minister of Climate,

you must have an opinion on
the consequences that the Greenlandic oil

might have on the climate.

[Nadia] Yes. And I'm not the only one.

Leading climate and environmental experts
warn against the project

because of the very specific
Arctic challenges.

For example, Arctic oceans have very low
levels of phosphorous and nitrogen

which are essential if the oceans
are to recover from an oil spill.

And that's just one example
of the many negative consequences

of a large-scale oil project.

[Benjamin] Are you on a collision course
with your own government?

[Nadia] I'm just passing on
the critical views of the experts.

She's directly opposed
to the government's official policy.

And she means it.

And the New Democratic Youth

have implied that while Nyborg
has a stance on climate,

she might end up being toppled.

Great work, Benjamin.
Let's get it online right away.

[Signe] Welcome to the cabinet meeting.

I'd like to start by saying
that Helle and I are very ambitious.

This is our first national budget--

Hi, sorry I'm a bit late.

I saw a cake out there.
Are we celebrating our first 100 days?

Yes. Thank you, Birgitte.

I was just about to say that,
but you did it for me.

-Sorry.
-[chuckles]

Some things have happened
that some of us will discuss later,

but, as I mentioned,

we're celebrating 100 days in power,

and I think we have a lot to be proud of.

We are a team representing Denmark,
and we have a strong line-up.

Where I'm from,
we celebrate special occasions

by having Danish pastry
in the shape of a man.

-[excited murmurs]
-Yeah.

-[Signe] So…
-[water pouring]

…naturally we are having one
today as well,

except for the fact that,
and I hope the men won't be too offended,

I thought it was more appropriate
that we ordered a pastry woman. So…

[excited murmurs]

[indistinct chatter]

Can you come closer?

-Yeah.
-And smile.

[shutter clicks]

[indistinct chatter]

Did you know about
Nadia's statement about the oil

before it was… suddenly released?

Well, many people
find her concern legitimate.

Birgitte, can I have
a brief word with you?

I know what you're about to say.

But Nadia was just expressing reservations

that are held by
several climate scientists.

[murmurs]

Birgitte, first of all, this looks like
a broad attack at you from your own party.

Second of all, it makes the government,
and thereby me, look unprofessional.

The first part is your own headache,

but I have to react quickly
to the second part.

You and I have a clear agreement

that each of us keep
our own ministers in check.

I will talk to Barazani.

And in the New Democrats
we maintain a civil tone.

That's good.

If you have a problem with me,
say it to my face.

You are not to communicate
through the fucking media!

I haven't said anything you weren't saying
less than a month ago.

It's not about the climate.

It's about you giving Signe
too good a hand.

As long as I'm the Minister of Climate,
climate is my first priority.

Remember who made you Minister of Climate.

And consider that the next time
you want to make a statement to the press.

So, you've just abolished
freedom of speech in the New Democrats?

I think you'd rather that than the PM
bringing you in front of the Queen

to relinquish your post.

[door opens, slams shut]

[phone chimes]

-Hi, Rasmus.
-Is the minister there?

-I have an important message for her.
-She's still in the meeting.

-[door opens]
-Wait, I can see her now.

Is it good news or bad news?

Not particularly good.

Then you might want to wait
and tell her later.

-That's just…
-[loud moan]

…an objective assessment of her mood.

You can tell her.
I don't want to argue with her.

Just remember that
the right moment rarely comes.

The Russians aren't missing any planes
which is diplomatic code for the fact

that whatever crashed in Greenland…

-…is something top secret.
-Exactly.

It's just like a zoo.

I mean, it's obvious all kinds of shit
is happening with Jon and Nadia.

-And now…
-[phone chimes]

From: Michael Laugesen
Barazani is ridiculing you

We're at the Mexican embassy
in ten minutes

for the farewell reception
for the ambassador.

-Shh.
-[Michael] Hi.

I bloody well know that.

I thought your job was to help me.

I mean, these are three ministers who…

[Michael] Yes? Hello?

…who believe, erm,

that there should be
no mistaking what we do.

Okay. You can't talk because
you're sitting next to some civil servant.

Correct.

-Let's meet in 15 minutes.
-[Birgitte] Okay. Where?

Er, Frederiksberg.
I'll send you the address.

Well, we can't make it in time
for the Mexican embassy.

-We're going to Frederiksberg.
-[Majken] Copy that.

By the way, Rasmus said the Russians
haven't lost any planes in Greenland.

According to the Ministry of Defence,
that's a shitty situation.

[knocking]

[door opens]

[Asger] Morning.

Asger.

[Hans] Welcome to Nuuk. What a surprise.

Yeah.

And it… actually shouldn't be, should it?

Er, weren't we due to be negotiating
by the drill site?

Yes, but I needed to get back
to my department.

Okay. And you just, erm,
forgot to tell me?

Like you forgot to send the correspondence
between your department and the Chinese,

which I have asked to get
at least 100 times.

[Hans] I didn't forget.

That correspondence is confidential,

and I know perfectly well
what you want to use it for.

-[phone chimes]
-Hans, you and I are on the same side.

She's here.

[door opens, closes]

Hans, your daughter.

Is she… she okay?

What do you mean?

I just saw her on the street this morning.

She didn't look very well.

She's pretty upset
because she just lost her brother.

But we are taking good care of her.

-[knocking]
-[door opens]

Mrs Li. Welcome to Nuuk.

Thank you, Minister.

Hi. I'm, er… I'm joining the meeting.

Have a seat.

Rebellion within the ranks
is the most dangerous thing,

and it must be quashed mercilessly.

I don't want you
going through their garbage

or going after their kids

or doing the things
you did to me back then.

That was another time.

We have new options now.

We can refute Barazani's
climate scientists

by citing more important
climate scientists.

But they'll just agree with her.

Trust me, Birgitte.

I can easily find facts
and statistics which show

that there are no climate consequences
of the Greenlandic oil worth mentioning.

Yes, but that's pseudo-science,
and that I will not endorse.

And you won't need to
because it won't come from you.

[phone chimes]

Just a minute.

From: Magnus Nyborg - Calm down, Mom.
Let's grab a coffee?

Yes, but I want a concrete plan.

And I have to approve everything first.

[hip hop playing on stereo]

[indistinct chatter]

Yeah. That's for her.

[Magnus] Thank you very much.
Thanks, mate.

Are you in unknown territory?

Don't try to tell me that
there is a single chair in this room

which wasn't carefully chosen.

This entire place
is as much a part of a brand

as those lefties
who claim to have all the correct values.

So what values made you think to hire
Michael Laugesen as your spin doctor?

Hiring him has nothing to do with values.

To me it was simple.

If a biker gang is chasing you

and you can choose to get
a good negotiator

or someone who knows
how to fight really dirty,

who do you choose?

Don't you remember what he did to us?
What he did to Laura?

Yes, and precisely because he's been
my opponent for so many years,

I know what he's capable of.

Magnus, I need someone
who'll fight dirtier than I'm willing to.

Someone who gets the ideas
I'd not like to get myself.

Can you even hear what you're saying?

You can't control that kind of person
once he gets going.

I mean, is this job
really so important to you?

You've already been prime minister.

And you resigned.

And you survived.

And you know what?

You were able to move on.

But back then I had you guys.

[emotional instrumental music playing]

[sniffles]

Well, I'll let you get on.

Hi, Katrine.

Hi, Frederik.

Did you want… anything?

-Did I?
-Yeah.

No. Not at all. Not at all.

I was just down here to

test the water after we let go of Narciza.

-Okay.
-All is good.

Well, we can just have a meeting
if there's something you want.

We can do that.
Did you want to talk about anything?

No, I don't, but…

Yes, I'm at your disposal.

-Okay. Yeah.
-We can talk later.

Er, Katrine?

We have to have a look
at the applications for political editor.

Yeah.

Does letting Narciza go mean that
we have to choose a young woman?

No, of course not.

-[Benjamin] Do you have a second?
-Of course.

I just want to say I'm very interested
in becoming the new anchor after Narciza.

Okay. Erm…

I think you're a bit too young right now.

I don't think you have
enough experience yet,

er, but if you give it a few years…

Yeah. I'll give it a few years. Thank you.

-I'm glad you told me.
-Katrine?

-Yes.
-I have something to show you.

I just thought you ought to see this.

VIEWERS MISS NARCIZA
TV1 BOSS: "SHE WAS AMAZING"

-Well, thanks for that.
-You're welcome. See you tomorrow.

-See you.
-Bye.

-Hi.
-Hi.

Thank you for meeting me.
I wanted to go over a few things with you.

Yeah, of course.

They're fogging up.

[espresso machine hissing in background]

You look lovely.

My husband's on his way.

We're going out for dinner.

Hans is becoming a problem for us.

For us?

I've asked for the correspondence
between him and the Chinese

quite a few times,
but he still won't hand it over.

Well, he's actually under
no obligation to do so.

No, but compared to
the superpowers getting involved,

I think that Hans
will realise very quickly

that the problems between Greenland
and Denmark are very small indeed.

Your Premier thinks so too, by the way.

That's why I thought you might talk to him

and get him to hand over
the correspondence

so we can move things forward.

And you think it's fine to… to ask me

because we've been… intimate, or, er…?

[chuckles]

-[Aqqaluk] Emmy!
-Hi.

Hi.

-Oh, you look good.
-Oh, thank you.

-Hi, Asger.
-[Asger] Hi.

-Good to see you.
-You too.

Yeah, it's been a while
since I've taken my wife out.

-You've been occupying most of her time.
-[chuckles]

Yeah, sorry.

Won't be much longer,
then I'm back to Copenhagen.

Then you'll be rid of me.

-Well then, take care.
-You too.

[emotional ambient music playing]

-[phone rings]
-Hi, Asger.

[Asger] I've just been down to see
the statue of the Mother of the Sea,

the most important
mythological character in Greenland.

She's, erm, hidden down
by the water's edge,

while Hans Egede,
who I'm looking at right now,

is standing tall and strong
and surveying the entire place.

He is highly controversial up here
because he used threats and violence

to make the Greenlanders Christian,

but did you know that he taught himself
how to speak Greenlandic as well?

-What are you trying to say?
-He's so full of contrasts.

He was a brutal colonial ruler,
but at the same time,

he ended up doing a lot
for the Greenlandic identity,

perhaps without knowing it.

When you started this
with a lecture on Hans Egede,

I assume that the negotiations
did not go well today.

Er, no.

Eliassen still won't hand over
the correspondence.

But, Birgitte, I have an idea
for, er, a new strategy.

Interesting.

Well, Eliassen fears that we will
shut down the entire project

because the US are concerned
after China entered the equation, right?

I can assure you that is still
the official position of the government

to exploit the oil.

Earlier today, the Minister of Finance

was looking forward
to the money being in the bank.

We can't just get out this deal.

We would be perceived to be part
of the American trade war against China.

Take two.

Our industry and commerce
would go bananas.

How will it affect the offshore wind farm
we're building off the coast of Shanghai?

These aren't trivial things.

Asger? Your point?

Yeah, yeah, no. That's just my point.

That's our dilemma.

That's why I think that our new strategy,

and you might want to sit down
for this, Birgitte, that it should be

to get the US to accept
a Chinese presence in Greenland

to a limited extent.

And how do you propose we do that?

We need the Chinese to show
that they are playing with open cards

and have no hidden agendas.

And get the Americans
to stop being suspicious of China.

That would really be making
opposites meet.

Yeah, exactly.

That's why I'm calling
from a statue of Hans Egede.

I don't use violence.
I just shout at people.

[Birgitte] I'll get hold of Stranton.

[dramatic string music playing]

[newsreader] …and several more
critical voices on the world stage

aim towards the Danish government,
and in particular

Foreign Minister Birgitte Nyborg

due to the Chinese involvement
in the drilling for oil on Greenland.

-Good morning.
-Hi, Birgitte.

-Hi.
-Rasmus is waiting in the World Room.

And the American ambassador
will be here in half an hour.

-I'll bring you an espresso.
-Thanks.

At 4:38 this morning,

an American satellite
observed an unusual occurrence

in Northeast Greenland.

Something looking like
a Russian Typhoon-class submarine

surfaced briefly deep inside
Danish territorial waters.

Didn't you say… Thanks.

…the Russians were having
a military drill?

Yes, but remember that that is
in international waters, of course.

[door closes]

We know that the US and Russia
have submarines up there

and that they sometimes
"accidentally" enter Danish waters.

But this one surfaced, and that is
apparently a very rare occurrence.

What do we think they were up to?

Well, the submarine was very close to
the place where the object crash-landed.

Er, that could indicate
that they were looking for it.

But their entire purpose
is trying not to be seen.

[ominous ambient music playing]

I now know what to tell Stranton.

Where is the Sirius Patrol?

The Sirius Patrol is here,

about 20 to 25 miles from the crash site.

I assume the Ministry of Defence
is briefing us.

Yeah, but I think
the Prime Minister's office

filters the information first.

If you ask me,

this could be Kragh's excuse to take back
the handling of the case.

It concerns the Danish realm,
so she has the right.

Who informs the Ministry of Defence
and the Prime Minister?

The Sirius Patrol is under
Arctic Command in Nuuk.

Well, we do have an Arctic ambassador
walking around in Nuuk.

He should take a walk down
to Arctic Command and keep us informed.

[dramatic instrumental music playing]

[phone chimes]

From: Magnus Nyborg - Might come home
and sofa-surf for a few days. Cool?

To: Magnus Nyborg. Anytime, truffle!

You can take the bedroom.

-The control room is this way.
-Yeah.

Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'll check it out.

-Wait a minute.
-Yeah.

-Yeah.
-Excuse me.

Yeah?

[Asger] Anders Damsgaard, right?

Yeah.

Can I call you back? In two seconds, yeah.

We… We met at, er,
Malik Johansen's funeral.

-Do you remember me?
-Yes.

Were you a close friend of his?
You seemed very moved by it.

He was a good colleague.

But it was quite a few years ago,
wasn't it?

From what he told me.

Yes, but what happened
was still a tragedy.

Yeah.

Suicide is sadly
a very common thing up here.

Unfortunately.

But his sister doesn't believe
it was suicide.

So why do you?

What do you mean?

What are you asking me?

Who do you work for?

The Navy.

And when you're not working for the Navy?

The Danish Intelligence Service?

-I have to get back to this call.
-Yeah, I think you should. Yeah. Okay.

[keypad beeping]

[door unlocks, opens]

Thanks.

[woman] You're from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

-[Asger] Yeah, hi.
-[door closes, locks]

Asger Holm Kirkegaard. Arctic ambassador.

Østby. We usually communicate
directly with the Ministry of Defence.

We're not used to having the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs running around.

If you look at the screen in the middle,

you can see Sled Team 5
about 15 km from the crash site.

And we haven't seen the submarine
since this morning,

but I think the Americans
are in control of that.

And we still don't know what
the Russian submarine was doing

that close to the shore?

They might have had
a small technical problem.

They don't surface often, but it happens.

We have asked Sled Team 5 to hurry up.

[panel beeping]

By the way, the Americans
and the Ministry of Defence

are being kept up to date,
but what about the Greenlandic government?

Who informs them?

I don't know.

[line ringing]

Hi, Birgitte. It's Asger. I have an idea.

[dramatic instrumental music playing]

[Hans] Hello, Birgitte Nyborg.

Hello, Hans.

[Birgitte] I really hope that Asger
has apologised on my behalf

for our disagreement in Copenhagen.

Thanks. He has.

The conversation took, erm, a wrong turn.

And it was my fault.

We'll get it back on track again.

We just need to take it a step at a time.

Ah, this could be a step
in the right direction, then.

Right now there is a secret
Sirius Patrol operation

in Northeast Greenland.

Greenland doesn't have a representative
in the Command Room.

You're rarely invited to take part
in anything involving the military,

but you can take this
as an informal invitation.

Are we doing
a bit of backdoor dealing now?

I will make sure that someone
from Naalakkersuisut is being sent there.

[box thuds]

-[knock on door]
-Yeah?

Er, Stranton's here.

This whole Greenlandic oil business
has been like opening a Babushka doll.

First it was Canadian,

and then it was Russian
and now it's Chinese.

Before we know it, we're gonna have
the Chinese sitting on telecommunications,

port facilities and with close connections
deep within the Greenlandic government.

Not all that different

from how the United States operates
in its sphere of interests.

But the problem is that Greenland

just so happens to be
our sphere of interest.

You know all too well
we can't just kick out China.

That'll leave Denmark and Greenland

with an extremely poor reputation
in large parts of the world.

But I also know that you have legislation
that will allow you

to shut down the Chinese.

Not implemented in Greenland yet,
unfortunately.

What did Ted Wayne say?

Just make it go away.

What if I made sure

to wedge a company

in between China and Greenland?

A company that Denmark will be part of,

and that will handle
all the construction work,

recruiting of personnel
and technical solutions.

And everything
will be completely transparent.

A company that will
essentially act as a buffer

between China and your sphere of interest.

How would Washington feel about that?

That is a fantastic idea.

And it allows you to keep an eye
on the Chinese and Greenlanders.

Yeah, I suppose I can ask Washington.

But I have a feeling
it's going to leave you with some

pretty disappointed
Chinese business partners.

But that would be my problem, wouldn't it?

[Asger] What's up? How far away are they?

They've gone six K in the last hour.
So they've really increased their speed.

Six K an hour? That's not much.
I can run that in half an hour no problem.

Then maybe you should try
to run in hilly terrain

with 12 dogs
and a sled weighing about 350 kilos.

[door unlocks, opens]

Hi. Emmy Rasmussen.

I'm from the Premier's department. Asger.

Naalakkersuisut doesn't usually… [scoffs]

No, but the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs invited us.

Yeah, that's right.

We're the ones who… We're the ones…
We did, that's right.

What's the situation?

[Østby] Well, if you look at the screen
in the middle,

-the object is right around there.
-[Emmy] Okay.

[Østby] And Sled Team 5
ought to be there in an hour or two.

[male soldier] Østby.
I have Sled Team 5 on the line.

So you're here.

-Are you okay?
-Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

But you don't make it easy on me.

[Asger] This has nothing to do
with the negotiations.

Why did you have to be the one to come?

You made it clear
it's over between the two of us.

[Sled Team leader] Arctic Command,
Sled Team 5 in position.

[male soldier] Leave the dogs
and continue on foot.

Copy that.

We only have food for one more day for us,

the same for the dogs. [grumbles]

Yeah, I know.

But according to the GPS
it's right on the other side of that fell.

And AC wants us to move our arse

and take a shortcut
over the hill without the dogs.

They're our only lifeline.

Yeah, I bloody well know that.

It's an order.

[dogs barking and whimpering]

Okay. I'll get the chain.

[newsreader] Russia has stepped up their
level of aggression in the Arctic region.

This morning Pentagon released information
that a Russian submarine surfaced…

You have to come see this. Come on.

It was allegedly a Russian
Typhoon-class submarine

like the one shown in this footage

that this morning violated
the territorial waters of Denmark,

the ally and NATO partner of the US,
in Northeast Greenland.

Several sources close to the White House
inform us that the President

considers the matter very serious.

Okay. Benjamin, get a comment
from the Prime Minister, okay?

-Yeah.
-Gitte.

Take a crew
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If they're allowed to make a statement
before Kragh's approved the wording.

[Pia] Kragh really is Darth Vader
in your own narrative.

Things are heading in a direction
that I think is sick.

I'm working on a theme for Sunday
which I've just given the headline,

"The powers that be in Denmark".

We're focusing in on how Kragh
is micro-managing her ministers.

It'll be good. Can't wait to see it.

But, Torben, do you have time
to talk to the Minister of Defence…

-I heard a no.
-…with regards to Greenland?

Let's give Torben time
to concentrate on his theme.

He shouldn't be involved
in this thing with the Americans.

I mean, if you agree, of course.

Yeah, yeah. Then we just
have to send someone else.

I'm going in there anyway, so I can do it.

[Katrine] Great, Benjamin. Thank you.

…when an American satellite
early this morning observed

what was allegedly
a Russian Typhoon-class submarine

off the coast of Greenland….

[Rasmus] What the hell?
Did the Americans leak it?

I can't control Washington.

They're playing with us.

He's here now.

Thanks.

[in Chinese]
Careful. The minister is coming.

[in Chinese] Okay.

-[Birgitte] Mr Ambassador.
-[in English] Madam Minister.

Madam Minister.

We appreciate you coming in
on such short notice. Thank you.

Have a seat.

I hope you've had a chance
to look at our proposal for negotiations.

We have, Madam Minister.

And I have to tell you

that China is somewhat puzzled.

We're part of a legal business agreement,

and now you're telling us

all of our activities have to be approved
and controlled by Denmark.

[sighs]

That has an air of state control about it.

A concept not completely
alien to you, perhaps?

Erm… I'm sure you understand
Greenland and Denmark

have certain obligations
towards their allies.

This proposal

could just as well have been written
by the United States.

We realise, of course,
that China's room for manoeuvre

will be somewhat limited,
but would you consider--

Perhaps we could have a slightly less

formal talk about the options?

-Sure.
-Yeah.

Maybe I should introduce you
to some of the people in our legal staff

and Asia office.

-[in Chinese] Go with him.
-I will.

Yeah.

[Rasmus clears throat]

[quietly] No telecommunications.

And be aware of rare earth materials.

Mm-hmm.

-[Rasmus] Follow me.
-[woman] Thank you.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Oil, of course, isn't the only interest
China has in the Arctic.

I know, Mr Ambassador.

I am glad that we understand each other.

I didn't know

the ambassador spoke Danish.

As a diplomat, it's an advantage
to know what's being said.

China might consent to your proposal

if we were given an opportunity

to expand the harbour

which is currently being built
to ship the oil,

so it could accommodate our other ships.

The ice is melting.

And the new Silk Road is up there.

It's paramount to us
if we are to accept the proposal,

to reach an agreement as quickly
and as soon as we can.

Door.

[door closes]

The Chinese ambassador speaks Danish.

[dejected sigh]

What did he hear?

I mentioned something
about telecommunications,

but it isn't news for them that--

-And rare earth materials.
-[Rasmus] Yeah.

There are lots of things the Americans
don't want the Chinese to get hold of.

But we have to give them something

if we're tying their hands and feet
in that oil agreement.

The ambassador insisted
that it must be done quickly.

[Rasmus] Why is he in such a hurry?

Maybe because they see an opportunity
to actually close a deal

before the Americans make
too big a fuss about it.

And it almost seems like
that harbour is more important to them

than the rights as owners
of the oil company.

Because when the ice has melted

the route from China to Europe
is reduced by 40%.

-Exactly.
-Yeah.

But I don't think the Americans would want
the Chinese to have a bigger harbour.

Could we exploit the fact that
the Americans for a long time have wanted

to have a harbour in the northeast?

Yeah?

What if we allow them to get that
in return for China being allowed

to expand the harbour
they've already been allowed to build?

A harbour for a harbour?

I think I can land that. Thanks.

-Did you hire that guy?
-[door opens]

-Mm-hmm.
-[Birgitte] You did a pretty good job.

[door closes]

You can't denounce me
like that in the press.

It seems like you don't support me
in the firing of Narciza.

-I'm being made to look like an idiot--
-I was misquoted, Katrine.

And I had no idea that it would be posted.
So can we just let it go?

-Okay.
-There is something else

I'd like to talk to you about.

I understand you're thinking of running
a story on the Prime Minister

and the way she's wielding her power.

-Yeah, we're working on a major topic.
-Mm.

I just think we need to ask ourselves

if this is the right time
to run that story.

Because you know something I don't know?

Not at all. You're the expert.

I'm the… generalist.

No, but we both know
that the Prime Minister

takes criticism personally

and has a hard time, er,
letting things go.

But if you think it's an important story,
I will listen.

I just need to take it into consideration.

What do you mean?

I'm negotiating our agreement
with the government,

and a big part of that is our grant.

So you're telling me
that we will be punished financially

if we run with that story?

No, not at all.

-That would be completely absurd.
-Christ, Frederik.

This entire conversation is proof
that our democracy is being challenged

if we're beginning to
censor ourselves in advance

because we fear the consequences
of a story about the Prime Minister.

You're right
if you believe in conspiracy theories.

No, it's…

But I don't think you should do that
in a country like Denmark.

Maybe there just isn't a story
in that thing you're working on.

Have you considered that?

-[phone ringing]
-Excuse me.

Heegaard.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[sombre ambient music playing]

What's up? Are you on a roll?

[chuckles] "On a roll"? Yeah.

Listen, I've been thinking about
that story about the Prime Minister…

I can't really tell
what the main issue is.

Is it that it's become harder for us
to talk to ministers?

That it was better in the old days?

It just might sound like
we're the victims,

and nobody's…
feeling sorry for the journalists.

Really?

That's funny.

I hear a ventriloquist's dummy.

And the person who has his hand
up its arse is on the 9th floor.

Isn't that right?

Did he give you a direct order?

-No.
-No.

They're about to negotiate
the media agreement.

And there will be cutbacks and layoffs,

and the news department
might be hit hardest.

Especially if we run
a critical story. Hm?

I think we should ask ourselves
what will be worse for journalism.

"What'll be worse for journalism"?
Bloody hell, you're clever.

Should we let one story go, Torben?

Or should we say goodbye
to a lot of good employees?

You asked me once
why I quit as head of news.

Exactly because of things like this.

And the two of us
are playing along, goddammit.

We censor ourselves
for old friendships' sake. No.

That position of political editor…

I know that everybody thinks
we should get a young woman,

but I would prefer
to have a middle-aged white guy.

[clattering]

You just asked me to kill my story.

And then this is payment for it?

Who the fuck do you take me for?

Huh?

Judas?

No, no. No, no.

You're the most qualified, Torben.
I know you applied for the position.

[departing footsteps]

[Sled Team soldier] There's not much
snow here, is there?

It should be down there.

There's somebody down there.

There.

[ominous ambient music playing]

Down, down, down.

[Sled Team leader]
Arctic Command. Sled Team 5 here.

Sled Team 5, we hear you. Go ahead.

We left the sled and the dogs behind
and are now about 500 metres away.

There are people at the site.
I repeat, there are people at the site.

What kind of people?

It looks like military.

[Sled Team leader] White camouflage.
All are carrying weapons.

[Østby] Do you recognise them?

[Sled Team leader]
No, not at this distance.

They look like automatic rifles.

Shall we approach them?

I must tell you

that it's open country,
and they will see us from far away.

[Østby] Approach with caution.

[Østby] And try to identify them.

Roger.

Go and get Møldrup.

What's up?

We're going down there.

Who do we think they are?

The Russians often have a team
of special forces on board.

[Østby] They could have got off
the submarine this morning.

-And we don't want to meet them?
-[Østby] No.

I have two men with pistols
and a rusty rifle meant for polar bears

against a team of Russian special forces.

Nobody's going to be shooting, are they?

[door unlocks, opens]

-[Østby] Hi, Per.
-Hi.

This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Naalakkersuisut.

[Asger and Emmy] Hi.

This is Commander Møldrup,
and he's commanding officer today.

What's going on?

It looks like they're tinkering
with some tools

and whatever that thing is.

Now they've seen us.

[Sled Team leader]
Sled 5. They've seen us.

We can see a weapon.
From here it looks like an AK-47.

So they could be Russians.

This is Møldrup here.
Can you identify the uniforms?

No, it's white camouflage. What do we do?

Are they aiming their weapons at you?

[Sled Team leader] No.

Then continue.

[Møldrup] Then call out to them
when you get close.

Roger.

Now what?

We go ahead.

And if shots are fired now,
it is an act of war?

Yeah.

But, Mr Ambassador,

it is the most populous nation on Earth
we're talking about,

and they've promised
their interest is merely

to expand the port already projected
for the oil shipment.

So hopefully the United States
can live with that,

knowing that the port
is far away from Thule.

And under the authority of Denmark…

-[phone chimes]
-…as well as Greenland.

We would also like to grant
the United States…

From: Asger Kirkegaard

The Sirius Patrol may be
facing Russian soldiers.

…a shipping port in Eastern Greenland,

which I believe you've wanted
for quite some time.

[Stranton] Provided we're confident…

To: Asger Kirkegaard
Keep me posted!

…China doesn't have hidden agendas,

I'd be happy to
present this to Washington.

But it is undeniably strange that
you and I would end up being the people

who actually helped China
become a near-Arctic state.

Fuck, this is insane!

-Do we draw our weapons?
-No.

Danish military!

Identify yourself!

-[Sled Team leader] Identify yourself!
-[rifles cocking]

The Jaeger Corps have a team ready

from the Aalborg Air Force Base
in 2.5 hours.

And we are notifying the Americans.

[Sled Team leader] Sled 5.
Their weapons are at the ready.

Are they aiming at you?

No, but they've cocked them.

And they're unscrewing something
from what looks like a drone.

We need to get them away from that object.

Fire a warning shot.

Copy that.

Not the rifle.

We don't stand a chance if they fire back.

[Sled Team leader] Danish military!

Leave the area!

[Sled Team leader] Leave the area!

[dramatic music building]

[laughing]

[Sled Team soldier] Oh, for fuck's sake.
[sigh of relief]

They retreated.

Well done, guys.

Let's secure the object.

Can you identify the uniforms now?

[Møldrup] Do you have a camera?

Yeah, we'll try to take photos.

[shutter clicking]

Well, okay, they might have been some
of the most intense hours

I have ever experienced.

The thing that crashed up here is a drone
which we are having identified.

Sirius was face-to-face
with what was, in all likelihood,

soldiers from a foreign power.

We don't know for certain yet,
but they are most likely Russian.

[Birgitte] Right now, American experts
are identifying the drone.

But I'm sure the Minister of Defence
or the Minister of Justice

knows much more about that than me.

I must say, the Foreign Minister
is very well-informed.

My Arctic ambassador
happened to be in Nuuk,

and I felt it was important for us
to be as informed as possible.

I also informed the Greenlanders

so we didn't get into
another crisis with them.

Without informing me?

I'm doing that now.

And I'm happy to inform everyone
that we have actually closed a deal

where the US accepts
a certain Chinese presence in Greenland.

You've certainly been busy today.

Okay.

[sighs]

[phone chimes]

From: Frederik Heegaard - Look.
We should get her back.

VIEWERS RAGE AGAINST TV1
WE WANT NARCIZA BACK

[presses lift button]

I have been thinking.

I would like that position
as political editor.

I assume the pay is 30 pieces of silver?

[chuckles]

Yes.

[lift door opens]

[laughter]

[Alba laughs] Magnus, stop it!

[Alba squealing and laughing]

[line ringing]

[phone ringing]

Arctic ambassador
Asger Holm Kirkegaard, good evening.

Good evening, Asger Holm Kirkegaard,
this is Birgitte Nyborg.

I just have to warn you that I might
drop down on my knees and propose to you.

It was so important to have you
sitting in Arctic Command today.

We got the US
to accept China in Greenland.

Really?

What did they want in return?

Well, the supply harbour

that they've wanted
in the northeast for so long.

You know what, Birgitte? I think I know
exactly where they want it to be.

That guy Per Møldrup from Arctic Command

has heard the Americans
talk about it several times.

Look, let me turn on the camera.
Is that okay?

[line ringing]

Good evening.

Good evening, Asger Holm Kirkegaard.

Look where I'm sitting.

It's my safe room.

My rotten son has taken over my bedroom,

and now I have to sleep here
on this bunk bed.

A plank bed? That doesn't sound too nice.

Look here, I'm going to turn
the camera around.

He heard them talk about
the harbour lying up here

in Crown Prince Christian Land.

Birgitte? Are you there?
I lost you for a bit there.

[Birgitte] Whose necklace is that?

Is this when you tell me that you

have been so completely unprofessional

that you've slept
with the Greenlandic department head?

Birgitte, I have to tell you
that I have made a huge mistake.

Erm…

And I'm actually disqualified

to take part in negotiations
if she's present.

-And therefore I also have to--
-No!

No. Don't bloody do this.
You're gonna come home right now.

You will get the first plane,

and then you'll be at my office
in the morning.

-B-Birgitte.
-[call ends]

YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE
NADIA BARAZANI

[Nadia] Hi, Birgitte. It's Nadia.

Erm, listen, I have been thinking. [sighs]

It's not easy for me to have to say this,

but I simply can't stand
being a traitor to the climate policy

I've been a part of drawing up
for our party.

So I have decided to step down
as Minister for Climate and Energy

and leave the New Democrats.

I thought you should know
as head of the party

before the press release
is sent out tomorrow.

[emotional ambient music playing]

Subtitle translation by:
Helle Kaiser-Nielsen