Borgen (2010–2013): Season 4, Episode 7 - Just make it go away! - full transcript

Tensions rise in New Democrats' party, as Birgitte Nyborg uses hard-handed tactics in order to balance Danish, Chinese and USA's interests in new oil found in Greenland. Nyborg's old friends are bewildered by this hard-handed switch.

A NETFLIX SERIES

"IT IS IN THE NATURE OF POWER
THAT IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO ABUSE"

- IMMANUEL KANT

[Mikkel] It was a clearly upset Nadia
Barazani who announced this morning

that she is stepping down
as Climate and Energy Minister

and as a member of the New Democrats.

[Nadia] Climate politics
are close to my heart,

and I can't support the change of policy
made by Birgitte Nyborg

when she's now in favour of exploiting
the oil in Greenland

without even consulting the group.

Do you still support the government?
Or will you become part of the opposition?



I still support Signe Kragh
as Prime Minister,

but I cannot support the government's
policy on the Greenlandic oil.

To: Laugesen - I can't tolerate
Barazani's disloyalty.

I'll tell the group
and get them to toe the line.

Your schedule has changed a bit
and it's become a bit tight.

Just tell me.

You have the Security Committee at 8:15.
Then you have your group meeting.

It would be best
if you could make it quick.

We have to brief you
before you meet the ambassadors.

And then there's Asger.

Have you eaten? I brought nuts for you.
You didn't like those bars much.

No, thanks.

I'm just not sleeping at night.

It's as if I can't feel my body.



I can schedule a nap for you

after you've spoken
to the Russian ambassador.

[grumbles softly]

Oliver, I don't sleep at work.

[phone chimes]

From: Laugesen

The Americans have examined the drone
and have informed us

that it is a Chinese copy
of an American military drone.

[Anne] The drone
malfunctioned and crashed.

China must have asked Russia to help
remove crucial parts of the drone,

which is why Russia deployed
a team of special forces from a submarine.

And those were the soldiers
the Sirius Patrol faced.

In any case, it's a violation
of the nation's airspace.

Just as the Russians
violated our territory

by sending in a submarine and soldiers.

The drone was actually part of the reason
the Chinese accepted America's terms…

Twitter: Barazani is a hero!

Several constituency leaders
thinking of leaving party.

…which led to an agreement
with great economic potential.

Twitter: Nyborg is everything
she used to denounce.

[Helle] If we start complaining about
drones and submarines,

we all know what will happen.

So you're suggesting that we do nothing?

Let's examine what actually happened.

Sirius saw four presumably
Russian soldiers retreat.

The Americans have removed the drone,
and the submarine is gone.

So couldn't we express our dissatisfaction
in a much more discreet way

and concentrate on what we know?

A majority wants us
to secure a deal for Denmark…

Twitter: Nyborg knows
that the group's too weak to act.

…which can finance the block grants
and the defence budget.

Are we seriously discussing
turning a blind eye to what has happened

in order to secure--

Jon, I have to stop you there

because Helle actually has
a really good argument.

Who says that the US, Russia and China

even want to publicly
criticise each other?

Good. This is what we do.

[Signe] Birgitte, talk to Stranton
about the Americans

not playing up the drone crisis.

And no leaks to the press about this.

[Signe] Thank you.

[indistinct chatter]

[pensive instrumental music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

-Coffee?
-Yeah, thanks.

[quietly] The group isn't behind you.

[indistinct whispering]

Nadia is a very talented politician.

[whispering subsides]

And while I was sad to hear her decision,

I also acknowledge it.

And especially the courage
needed to make it.

They say that the greatest test
for a politician

is if she or he can give up power,

and you have to say
that Nadia has passed that test today.

We have six ministries from 14 mandates.

And even though we are only 13 now,

I won't give up the Climate
and Energy Ministry.

That ministry belongs
to the New Democrats. Hm?

As spokesperson
I have been asked three times this morning

if we still support
the government's policies.

And, Kirsten, as the experienced
politician that you are,

you know that there is only
one answer to that question. Right, Jon?

You can't be in government
and not support its policies.

Precisely.

But the next logical question is
whether the New Democrats should even…

If… If it is even still…

What's the next logical question, Jon?

[Jon sighs]

[dejected sigh] No. Nothing.

I will get back to you
regarding the ministerial post.

[theme music playing]

[Katrine] Frederik, if you listen
to what I'm trying--

[Frederik] I have to stress that it is
the wish of the viewers and the board

that Narciza returns.

[Katrine] But it completely undermines
my authority as manager

if I have to rehire her.

So, is this an order?

[Frederik] No, it's not a bloody order.

You're the undisputed boss
of your own department.

[Katrine scoffs softly]

You just need to consider
the consequences of not doing it.

Yeah, I'll do that.

-Good.
-Good. Bye.

[phone clatters on desk]

Hi, Narciza. Good to see you.

[door closes]

[Katrine] I thought it would be best
to have Lone join us.

There might be certain legal details
in play which I can tell you about.

As I think I said on the phone,

management might have made some mistakes.

No, not really, Katrine.
It was done by the book.

Yeah… [hesitates] It was, erm…

[inhales sharply]

Narciza, you are a great anchor

and a very popular one.

And I'm reaching out to you

because we really want you to come back.

And personally, I would like to put
all the things behind us

that made the two of us
get off to a rocky start.

And I hope you want to come back.

To the same job? Same pay?

The same job and the same good pay

and the same vacations
and pension scheme and--

Maternity leave.

I'm glad you said that, Lone. Er…

Yes. Lea and I have actually started
talking about maybe having another one.

That's wonderful.

And, er, th-that's entirely up to you.

You said the same salary.

I negotiated my salary with Ulrik
back in the day,

but that was three years

and two Most Popular
News Anchor awards ago, so…

You get 85,000 plus pension now.

I think 100's a nice, round number.

[tense ambient music playing]

Well, that's just what we'll do.

I also want to make sure

that the main anchor's editorial
point of view is acknowledged.

[Narciza] It would be a shame
if we ended up in this situation again.

Of course, we acknowledge
your point of view.

[line ringing]

-[Stranton] Birgitte.
-Richard.

Always a pleasure.

[Birgitte] As you know, we're having
a bit of a situation in Greenland.

Oh? We didn't cause the situation.

The drone crashed by accident,

and we've no solid proof
that they were Russian soldiers.

Well, it was a Russian submarine.

Which may have had technical issues,

forcing it to surface.

Clearly, it would be in everyone's
best interest to proceed

as if this never happened.

-What are you trying to tell me?
-[tense instrumental music playing]

In the words of your Secretary of State,

just make it go away.

I fucking love diplomacy.

Do we have a deal?

I am standing in front
of one of your fellow countrymen.

Knud Rasmussen.

I don't know what any of this means,
so perhaps you can translate.

Sure.

"Ene luftens ånder kender,
hvad jeg møder…"

"Only the spirits of the air

know what I shall encounter
beyond the mountain."

"Yet I drive my dogs onwards,
onwards, onwards."

Do we have a deal?

Yeah.

Yeah?

I think Washington would agree.

That's… That's great. Thank you.

But I wonder what
is behind that mountain, Birgitte.

Right.

[sighs]

[item clatters on table]

Sit.

Yeah. [sighs] I'd like to begin by…

Asger. For fu…

You know what would happen
if Rasmus found out

that you might have left
confidential information lying around.

But I didn't.

Or have been too compliant
in the negotiations

cos you have had an affair
with the department head

of the Greenlandic Home Rule.

Yeah.

I will, er, talk to him.

And what is so extremely frustrating
is that you're so very qualified.

Such a skilled negotiator
and sharp analysis.

Yeah.

This is the most amazing job
I have ever had.

Well, then I bloody well hope
that it's been worth it,

and that you found
the love of your life or something.

Because then it's great.
You just have to figure it out.

You'll have to quit your job,
move to Greenland.

I think we're not--

But if it is just a random flirt,
a one-night stand,

then you have taken a bloody huge risk.

We can close the deal very soon, Asger.

Yeah.

But I'm actually willing to pretend that

this never happened.

You just have to promise a few things.

And I assume you know what I mean.

[emotional ambient music playing]

Er, she meant nothing to me.
It was a mistake.

[inhales deeply]

It will never happen again.

Okay.

Deal.

[gulps]

-Hello! I'm gonna call a meeting now.
-[phone ringing]

[Pia] Yeah.

-[Mikkel] Hi.
-Hi.

Dan, we're starting now.

-Can I have two minutes before you begin?
-Of course.

I just want to, for good measure,
say what you have probably already heard,

-which is that Narciza--
-Hi.

-[Mikkel] Hi, Narciza.
-Hi.

-[Mikkel] Welcome.
-Thank you.

-[chuckling] Hi. Welcome.
-Thank you. Thanks.

I've brought baklava.
It's my grandma's recipe.

But it's probably both the first
and the last time I'll be baking

because Pia says
I'm going to be very busy.

-[Pia] You are.
-Yeah. Erm, Narciza.

What I was about to say
before you, er, stole my audience

was that I'm just super happy
that the two of us are back on track.

And even though this
has already been announced,

I think we owe Torben our congratulations
on the new position as political editor.

Torben might be the most experienced
and sharpest analyst in the country.

-Yes.
-[Katrine chuckles]

I consider you my mentor,

and it is a privilege to have you
on the editorial team. Congrats.

[all applauding and cheering]

Thank you.

Maybe I should have baked a cake,
but I'm not very good at it.

I can offer you some snus
if you'd like some.

-[Mikkel] Please.
-[Dan] Delicious.

What about your big theme
on the Prime Minister?

"The powers that be in Denmark".
Is someone taking that over?

I just didn't feel there was enough
substance there, so I put it on pause.

[Torben murmurs]

[Birgitte] I have great news.

I had a nice talk with Stranton
about the drone,

and he agrees that it's in everyone's
best interest to put a lid on the matter

and pretend nothing's happened.

He thinks that Washington
will be on board.

So, Asger, let's get you back to Greenland
as quickly as possible

to finish negotiations
about Denmark's share of the oil revenue.

Yeah.

Did you make Asger come back
just to sit in on this meeting?

No, there were also

a few things about our working
relationship we needed to get straight.

Which your permanent secretary
doesn't know about?

Will you be handling
performance appraisals?

-I can do that. Good idea.
-Perfect.

I can find half an hour
for you in week 41.

Er, sorry, where'd you find
that half an hour?

-It was just a joke. Just…
-[door opens]

Pardon me, but I think
you need to turn on Global News.

[door closes]

Yesterday, Russia violated the sovereignty
of United States NATO ally, Denmark.

[Rasmus] Didn't you have a deal
with the Americans?

[Ted] On a mission to destroy a crashed
Chinese military drone,

Russian special forces came face-to-face
with Danish soldiers.

The United States is monitoring
the situation with great concern

and will defend its interests
in the region by any means necessary.

It's out. You can expect a meeting
with the Security Committee in a moment.

We need to get the Russian ambassador
to come in early, the Chinese as well.

And I need to talk to our embassies
in Moscow, Washington and Beijing.

We need to check the international laws
on invasion of our territories.

-TV1's calling. What shall I tell them?
-We must coordinate with the PM's office.

We need to get a handle on this
and structure it.

We have to get something online
as soon as possible. Ekspres already has.

We lead with the main story.
That's you, Narciza.

Yes. Er, "Danish soldiers
in battle on Danish soil

for the first time since WW2."

-They didn't actually fight.
-[Mikkel] A warning shot was fired.

"Danish soldiers faced
armed enemy forces on Danish soil

for the first time since WW2."

Washington is taking this very seriously.

So the agenda has changed completely.

I have just talked to the American
Secretary of State.

We have to complain officially
to both the Russians and the Chinese.

Pardon me, but can I ask if we are sending
angry protest to Beijing and Moscow

because they violated Danish territory,

while at the same time continuing,
without any restrictions,

to drill for oil in Greenland
with the Chinese?

But you are getting two
separate issues mixed up here.

Exactly. And it is very important
to stick to that with the media.

The drone and the oil
have nothing to do with each other, Jon.

I agree completely. And, Jon, pardon me,
but drone or no drone,

you don't want the oil.

It is confirmed that Nyborg will comment
on the New Democrats,

but I can't get them to confirm

that she will on the American statement
as well, and I have tried.

If she can comment on Barazani,
she can comment on Greenland.

Wait a sec. I have no idea
if we have the time for all that.

Yeah, Frederik, good.
Because of Wayne's statement

I've decided to extend the news
by half an hour.

Oh, okay. Well, then we have time
for both Greenland and the New Democrats.

And I just hope I'm competent enough
to interview Nyborg about two things.

[phone dings]

Twitter: Katrine, make up your mind!
She re-hired @NarcizaAydin!

[phone dings]

Twitter: Does she know how to be a boss?

[man 1, on news] We know that
the Security Committee

has already been in session
with all the major ministers.

[man 2, on news]
Exactly. And in a case like this,

the lines to the Defence
Intelligence Service

and the Security and Intelligence Service
are most certainly kept open.

[news continues faintly in background]

[emotional ambient music playing]

[line ringing]

-[Birgitte] Nyborg.
-Hi, Birgitte.

Erm, I hope it's okay
that I'm calling you directly.

Yes, of course it is.

Do you remember that
the intelligence service helped us

on the matter of the oil by finding
the owners of the drilling company?

-Yeah?
-Yeah.

It's… I… I have…

I can't help thinking that maybe
the intelligence service have

made a mistake

which might have cost
a young Greenlander his life.

The older brother of Hans Eliassen's
adopted daughter.

-I went to his funeral, if you remember?
-What?

I met the lieutenant-commander
who… who helped the intelligence service.

He seemed strangely burdened by… by guilt.

As if he knew more
than he could tell me. I don't know.

I just got this feeling
that something might've gone wrong

when the intelligence service
tried to get information, and that

the young man, Malik,

might not have killed himself.

Those are very serious accusations.

Yes, I know.

Can we prove it?

No, there doesn't seem to be any evidence.

But we haven't tried to ask any questions.

[doorbell rings]

Just a second, Birgitte.
There's someone at the door here.

Aren't you off to Greenland?

Yeah, er… In a very small plane.

My hypnotist, Kjeld, is going to
help me deal with the flight.

Kjeld is amazing. He always knows
immediately how another person feels.

[call ends]

Hi, Kjeld.

What's this?

You're in love.

[Michael] This is Laugesen.

We're gonna have to talk.
I have intel on the Justice Minister.

Okay.

Majken, can you pull over, please?

[bell tolling]

[car door shuts]

The intelligence service might have
botched an operation in Greenland.

They used a Greenlandic informant
who died under suspicious circumstances.

-[Michael] That's pretty good.
-I don't know if we can get any proof.

We might not need it.

Just the fear of an inquiry
would be enough

to make Berthelsen very nervous.

Also, I have a ministerial post to fill.

I suggest we meet tonight.

Isn't it funny, Birgitte?

Have you noticed
that we're beginning to think alike?

I'll post a few things
on Instagram for you.

Thank you, Madam Minister.

A pleasure as always, Madam Ambassador.

[Rasmus] What did she say?

[in Russian accent] "No, Russia has had
no soldiers on Danish territory."

[Rasmus] Classic Russian response.
Deny, deny, deny.

Refuel for negotiations.
#WorkingHardForDenmark

[knock on door]

Yeah?

-Madam Foreign Minister.
-Mr Ambassador.

Er…

If you could excuse me for two minutes.

To: Nina E. Do you have a Tampax?
Have you got one?

[whispers] Thanks. Thanks.

-I'm sorry.
-[door closes]

I don't know if you have had a chance
to discuss the photos

we have taken of the drone.

It was a civilian drone

which was supposed to monitor
ice movement for ship traffic.

The Americans can prove that it's a copy
of an American military drone.

It wasn't… It was not armed.

But if China only has peaceful intentions,

why are you then sending a military drone

from a Russian military base
during a large Russian military exercise?

Madam Minister,
we both know what is expected of us.

You were asked to reprimand China.

But the most populous country in the world
will not be reprimanded.

So why not just go back
to your boss and say

that China regrets the incident,

then you can go back to doing your job,

which you do so well.

[tense ambient music playing]

Thank you.

[speaking in Chinese]

[departing footsteps]

[phone chimes]

From: Emmy Rasmussen
I can't wait to see you.

[sighs]

TV1 is setting up in there.

[knocking]

I'm ready. Good to go.

[clears throat] Yeah.

Shall I clear the rest of your schedule
so you can go home after the interview?

Er, I can't. I have a late meeting.

That's not in your calendar.

No. I am getting some…

private coaching.

-Yeah.
-[sighs]

[Narciza] Three weeks ago you insisted
that nobody should be drilling for oil

because it would be
environmentally irresponsible.

-But then you changed your mind.
-No, I didn't.

Greenland controls its raw materials.
They are the ones who decided to--

The fact of the matter is that
the government has decided to support

the Greenlandic oil project.

And now China, Russia and the US
accuse each other

of escalating
a military conflict in the Arctic, so--

I would like to make it perfectly clear
that the Chinese drone and the oil

have absolutely nothing
to do with each other.

No, but it is a part of a power play
on behalf of the superpowers…

She's good today. Narciza.

Yeah. Well, she just got a raise.

[chuckles]

[places glass down]

[Katrine murmurs softly]

What's up?

I don't know.

I feel like I'm inside a pressure chamber.

[murmurs]

[departing footsteps]

And it's said that
the deputy party leader, Jon Berthelsen,

might be in a stronger position
than the party leader, Birgitte Nyborg.

And a warm welcome to you, Torben Friis,

newly-appointed political editor
here at TV1.

Yes, thanks.

[Narciza] It is as if all the hubbub
around Nyborg hasn't really subsided.

What are we witnessing at the moment?

Well, I think the pivotal question is,

how many sacred cows
they are willing to kill

just to stay in power?

We are seeing Birgitte Nyborg
using a new approach.

She is suddenly
very active on social media.

It could be seen as a strategy
to regain the popularity

which the oil has definitely cost her.

[Narciza] Is Nyborg simply
a different politician,

maybe even a different person,
than the woman we knew

as the prime minister 12 years ago?

Well, it's being said
by more and more people

that she is emulating her boss,
Signe Kragh.

[Narciza] It seems as if
you have further comments on the PM.

I do. The Prime Minister is known
for being extremely good

at short-circuiting the established
communication channels

between the powers that be on one side
and the people on the other side,

and she does that simply
by going rogue on social media.

Don't do this, Torben.

The Prime Minister uses
a well-defined communications strategy

which has two parts.

One is about social media,
and the other, more professional one,

is focused on saying,
"We're working hard for Denmark",

while at the same time acting
extremely reserved and very controlled.

Holy crap, he's on a roll today.

Well, this strategy is spreading
to more and more of the other ministries,

including Birgitte Nyborg's.

Several editorialists have been
expressing their concern

regarding what they call

"the ministers' generalities"
on social media,

which are actually working
as a form of distraction

from the undemocratic tendencies

that we are most certainly seeing
in more and more places.

[slurping]

Aren't you having any?

I don't eat food like that.

Then I'll have yours.

Go for it.

This is like the bloody
Last Supper, Birgitte.

[Michael] The question is,
who is with you and who is against you?

We're pretty sure about him, right?

Meldgaard would jump
in front of a train if I asked him to.

He's not a great Minister for Food,
but he is very loyal.

[Birgitte] Lillian's alright as well.

Mehmet is a hustler,

and he always thinks he can get more
out of staying with me than with Jon.

If I get him a better spokesperson's job,
he'll stay loyal.

Her…

I personally dislike her.
She is the most easily offended.

She is the spokesperson on equality.

Doesn't help that I banged her once
on an election night.

That disqualifies you
from giving an opinion on her.

But Ursula is definitely
one of Jon's supporters.

Then we have Kirsten Schrøder,

your political spokesperson.

She seems pretty bright.

Kirsten is working closely with Jon
and always has.

She is 100% behind Jon.

Okay.

We have a problem.

[Michael] Are you sure about
your own supporters? What about him?

Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs.
Till death us do part.

Good.

Who can be bought with a ministerial post?

Everybody wants to be a minister.

Isn't it more about finding the one
who will hurt Jon the most?

[slurping] Ah.

[Michael] My work here is almost done.

[Michael sighs]

-[lift whirs]
-[bell dings]

[Oliver] Hi. Yes, I'm just…

I came to prepare for tomorrow.

It's fine. You'll have
the entire ministry to yourself.

Will you have to
explain yourself tomorrow?

Not at all. You're my communication coach.

[ominous instrumental music playing]

[phone chimes]

From: Emmy -
And you look forward to seeing me

[explosions booming in background]

[drill whirring]

Let us first congratulate each other
that the deal with the Americans

allows us to continue working with China.

[Inunnguaq] And we have already
had many good talks with Qingxing,

and have assured them that the, er,
limitations on their work here

will be interpreted
subject to local conditions

and what is possible.

I've been away for a few days,

and meanwhile a Chinese telecom tower
has been erected out there

which clearly violates the agreement
we have made with the Americans.

So I think I will have to make
Denmark's position

very clear to you once and for all.

[Asger] The oil is now
an international crisis.

And although you control
the raw materials,

the foreign and security policy tops it.

That's why Denmark will now decide
what will happen,

and Denmark will do the talking.

And this is what will happen.
We will establish a new company

with Danish, Greenlandic
and Chinese participation.

The company will handle
all aspects of extracting the oil.

So you'll be making no agreements
directly with China.

Denmark has to approve everything.

The tower's technical specifications
have to be approved by Denmark

or it will come down.

Furthermore, I will no longer ask politely

to look at your correspondence
with the Chinese.

I want it handed over immediately.

[slams briefcase shut]

[door opens]

[door slams shut]

[emotional instrumental music playing]

I had looked forward to seeing you today.

Well, you had no reason to.

[pages rustling]

[briefcase latch clicks]

-Hey.
-Hey, listen. You're married.

Hey, where are you?

[inhales]

[exhales]

Hey, Asger.

I'm right here.

No.

I promised my boss not to see you.

You promised your boss?

It… It's just a job, huh?

No. It's not just a job to me.

Yeah.

[departing footsteps]

[Oliver] First thing is a briefing
by Rasmus in ten minutes.

And then there's a group meeting.

It's set for two hours

due the turmoil in the party

where you will have to decide
if the New Democrats should remain as…

Oliver, it's fine. Use fewer words.
Just say "group meeting".

And I've got it.

[phone ringing]

[ringing continues]

I would like to emphasise

that everything you hear in this car
or elsewhere with me,

or when you happen
to turn up at work after hours,

is confidential.

-Do we understand each other?
-Yes, of course.

-You don't want the other one?
-[lift door opens]

Do whatever makes sense. Okay, yeah.

-[Birgitte] Good morning.
-Good morning.

-And we have a meeting?
-[Rasmus] Yeah.

Do you have five minutes later on?

[Rasmus] I actually have
a rather busy day.

[Oliver] It's important.

But aren't you going
to Parliament with Birgitte?

I actually thought that Nina
could do that if… Could you?

-Yeah, of course.
-Yes.

[Rasmus] That's fine. Yeah.

-[Lone] Hi, Katrine.
-Hi.

-My goodness, what lovely shoes.
-Thanks.

Yes, look. HR has been asked to conduct
an extra employee satisfaction survey

here in your department.

[clears throat] Okay? Who's asked you?

I'm actually not allowed to tell you.

But some of your employees
who want to be anonymous

have focused, erm,
on your managerial style.

Okay. Er… [sighs]

I don't think you should
worry about it too much,

but I just have to ask
if you'll oppose it.

Er, no, I won't oppose it.
It should be investigated, of course.

-That's for sure. Thank you.
-Good.

[door bangs loudly]

[Katrine breathing rapidly]

[Katrine inhales sharply]

[Pia] Bloody hell,
the New Democrats are going at it.

Yeah, I'll say.

Well, rumour has it
that they might leave the government.

No, I think Nyborg has other plans.

Whatever the case, I've asked Benjamin
to camp outside the meeting room

of the New Democrats.

-Nice work.
-Yeah.

Katrine, he's upset.

The two of you had a talk
about him wanting to be an anchor, right?

Yeah. I just told him
that he wasn't ready yet.

Okay. He just mentioned
talking to a boss from Channel 2.

Okay. [light scoff]

-He's pressuring us.
-No, he's making a point.

But the two of us know
that he is really talented.

I mean… that's what I told him.

We really can't have any more turmoil.

We really can't.

[ominous ambient music playing]

Okay.

[Hans] The atmosphere was a bit tense,
so I thought that it was best

for the two of us to meet again
in a less formal setting.

Yeah.

I can see your point.

Although we have different outlooks.

So I thought the two of us could agree

on how to… divide the oil revenue
once and for all.

Then you can talk to your people,
and I can talk to mine.

Sausage?

It's really good.

Yes, please. Mm.

Let's say that Greenland acknowledges
that Denmark is in charge

of the foreign and security policy,

which allows it to get a larger share
of the oil revenue

than we suggested at first.

We could begin
by phasing out the block grant,

and then Denmark could have 25%.

Have a seat.

Yeah, thanks.

So what do you think? Is that the plan?

Hens, you know
that I can't sit here in your kitchen

and commit the Danish government
to anything over a sausage.

[phone ringing]

-Er, I'll have to take this call.
-Fine.

But… think about it. [chuckles]

[hip hop playing in background]

Tanja?

[Asger] How are you?

Can you lend me 1,000 crowns?

They're keeping me here
so I can get better.

They're afraid that I'm going to smoke.

Yeah. [sighs]

Well, a pack of cigarettes doesn't cost
100 crowns, does it? [chuckles]

[male reporter] Kristine Meinert, what can
we expect from this group meeting?

[Kristine] Well, it is a fateful hour
for the New Democrats

and for Nyborg as well.

Are they willing to pay the price
for having influence

and take a beating at the next election?

Or will they stick to their ideals

and run the risk
of toppling the government?

[Jon] My dear friends.

We called this extraordinary meeting

due to the very serious
situation we're in.

Karina, erm, has suggested that we resign
from the coalition government

due to the oil situation

and due to the change
of our political stance

which many in the party feel
was forced upon them.

Karina, as you know,

is the Minister of Business and Industry
which, in my view,

makes her suggestion more poignant.

We are a divided party.

Jon, may I?

I think we all know where this is going,
so I suggest a quick vote on it.

[Birgitte] Needless to say, I don't think
we should leave the government.

It would let our voters down
to place ourselves without any influence

because of a matter
which is certainly far from closed.

So to be brief,

who agrees with me that

the New Democrats
should not leave the government

but stay and fight
for all the things we believe in?

[Birgitte] One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven.

Seven versus six.

It looks like a majority
for staying in the coalition government,

wouldn't you say, Jon?

And I think we should all welcome
our new Climate and Energy Minister.

She's sitting right there. Kirsten.

It's a huge pleasure
to have you on the team,

and the new little voter in your tummy.

[Thomas] Congratulations.

And, Jon, can I talk to you
for five minutes?

[indistinct chatter in background]

-Did you want to talk?
-[Oliver] Yeah.

-[clears throat] Are you finished in here?
-[wand beeping]

-Yeah.
-Thanks.

[tense instrumental music playing]

Well, spit it out.

Yeah. It's just that I…

I've… I've heard some things.

And I don't know what to do about it.

Am I to remain loyal to the minister
or to the ministry?

In a perfect world you're both.

If that's not possible, your loyalty
to the ministry comes first. Always.

That was very carefully
orchestrated by you, Jon.

The decisive attack didn't come
from you at all but from Karina.

You were just the dutiful deputy

who was so tired of the turmoil
and division in the party.

I'm tired of the turmoil
and division in the party.

Then I'm glad to tell you
that you can help heal the divide.

She has a new political adviser,

and she's asked me
not to tell anyone who it is.

[light scoff] Then don't tell me.

But it's as if it's changed her a bit.

You started a rebellion
and tried to topple me, Jon.

The history books call that high treason.

Question is, what will happen now?

The punishment for high treason
was usually death.

-But is that what you prefer?
-I guess that's not up to me, is it?

She is conspiring against one or several
of the other ministers in the government.

I… I heard about a botched intel…

botched intelligence
operation in Greenland.

She will hold
the Justice Minister accountable

or blackmail him.

If you say to me now

that you will be 100% loyal,
deputy of the party

and minister of this government,
I'm willing to regard this

as just another play for power.

One that you just happened to lose.

-But if I can't trust you…
-Then you'll fire me.

No, I won't.

But I have received information
that, if revealed,

would probably
lead to you having to resign.

If the intelligence service
has made a mistake,

the Justice Minister is responsible.

But it's the way she goes about it.
It's the way it's done.

Last month the intelligence service
botched an operation in Greenland.

Which you asked me to initiate.

Where a young man died.

The brother of the adopted daughter
of Hans Eliassen.

It was suicide.

You're just saying that
because it's Greenland.

Well, the intelligence service
wasn't involved in any way.

Do you think you would survive the inquiry
that would follow if it got out?

The Danish civil service
is an administrative gem.

The Americans change
their entire administration

when a new president is elected.

We stay and serve a red minister one day
and a blue minister the next.

We've done so for 170 years,
and we are good at it.

We keep our mouths shut
about almost everything

and focus on the job at hand.

I need to know if you're with me or not.

You're not yourself, Birgitte.

I am.

I just adapt to the circumstances.

[tense music swelling]

[departing footsteps]

Facebook: I wonder if anyone at TV1
realises Fønsmark is the problem?

Facebook:
Perhaps she's hot rather than talented?

[Katrine] So to return
to our starting point,

Bernstein's famous
definition of journalism

as the best obtainable version
of the truth.

It is my ambition to make TV1
the people's choice

when they actually want to know the truth.

But don't worry, we won't be
changing our name to Pravda.

[laughter]

So, does anyone have any questions?

-I'll do my best to answer them.
-[woman] Yeah.

It's all fine and good
to have visions, Katrine, it really is.

But are you considering angling stories
to appeal more to families?

We most certainly are.

Er, and when a story appears where
that is possible, we absolutely do that.

Super. Thanks. Thank you, Katrine.
I thought that was excellent.

-Shall we give her a round of applause?
-Yeah.

And then we can take any further questions
over canapés and a glass of white wine.

Ooh, yes, please.

Katrine, I don't think you've met
our new chairwoman, Merethe Kofoed.

-Lovely to meet you.
-[Merethe] Yes.

-I'm off, but do talk.
-Yes.

I'm a lawyer, and as such,
I don't know much about TV.

But I do have two comments.

All that hubbub about you as a person,
when will that go away?

It's not good PR for TV1.

No. If I could, er, stop it, certainly…

Yes, and then there was the other thing.

Your new political editor, Torben Friis…

We're not interested in a falling-out
with the government before negotiations.

They are just about to begin.
Could you put a dampener on him?

That's all.

[ominous string music playing]

…but that will be determined
by the European Parliament election.

And then on to the Arctic.

The tone between the US, China and Russia

was sharpened at today's
UN Security Council meeting

about the matter of the Chinese drone.

The Americans insist that the Chinese

are escalating
their military presence there.

Well, they sure as hell are.

In the meantime, Denmark is still
negotiating a deal with Greenland

to divide the oil revenue

whilst trying to stay on good terms
with both Greenland

and the three superpowers.

We have tried to get a comment from
the Foreign Minister, Birgitte Nyborg,

-but she declined to comment.
-[phone chimes]

That's right, she doesn't want to.

She's not always at your beck and call.

Instagram:
magnus.nyborg added to his story.

I just saw that the US, Russia and China

are now completely escalating
the Arctic conflict.

It's so fucked up
that the reason for all this

is something as messed up as fossil fuels.

Which ruin our world
and make the ice melt.

Perhaps I should have a word with my mum.

Do you follow Magnus Nyborg on Instagram?

I don't think so. Should I?

He posted a story
where he criticises his mum

in a pretty funny way.

And he was good on Denmark Today,

so I thought, why not repeat the success?

You're thinking about asking him
and his mum to come back,

but this time they won't talk about pigs
but what it's like to be a Nyborg?

Mm-hmm.

That's a good idea.
Set it in motion. Torben?

Are you doing fuzzy family stuff?

When I asked you nicely to shelve
your critical programme on the PM,

I didn't mean that you should then

continue your critique
as political editor.

That presentation to the board,
did it go well?

See you.

-Anything else we need to look at?
-[door opens]

-[Magnus] Hi.
-[Alba] Hi.

[door closes]

Oliver, I will see you tomorrow.

-[Magnus] Thanks.
-[Birgitte] Thanks.

[Alba] Guess who Magnus just talked to.

TV1?

They want him on Denmark Today with me.

Yeah.

And I said no.

Okay, but why?

Because they're angling for a conflict.

No, Mum. They wanted it to be humorous.

A portrait of a political family.

[Alba] And that was what
you said last time.

That Magnus grew up in a political family

and for that reason
knows how to speak his mind. Right?

Are the two of you excited
about the opportunity to be on TV?

-[Magnus] Take it easy.
-It's not at all about being on TV.

It's about putting in the work
for a cause that we are fighting for.

It's about getting your message out.

It's absolutely correct that it meant
a lot for our organisation

that I've been in the spotlight.

What organisation?

We are members of New Earth.
They want Magnus to be their spokesperson.

[Alba chuckles]

Okay.

So, you're asking me to do this

in order to support your political career?

Isn't that what I did last time on TV?

For you?

[jet engines roaring]

[Oliver] You've been called
to an urgent meeting

of the Security Committee.

There's no agenda,
which according to Rasmus,

underlines the urgency.

It's most likely a military issue.

[tense instrumental music playing]

Hi, Bent.

-What are you doing here?
-Yeah?

Hi!

I'm going to an anniversary
for former members of Parliament.

Sounds fun. Give my regards.
I'm in a hurry to meet the PM.

Birgitte, what's going on?

Well, that's what I'm meeting
the Prime Minister to find out.

That's not what I'm talking about.
What's going on with you?

You've got it all wrong.

This is bordering on World War III.

You're beginning to talk like Signe Kragh.

Even when you're talking to the media.

Birgitte, look at your party.

Why the hell are you still
part of that government?

Did Jon ask you to say this?

Are you his last card to play?

[departing footsteps]

Bent is suffering from dementia.

You can't count on what he says.

It's so sad.

Hi.

[Signe] Hi.

I called this urgent meeting
for the Security Committee

because the critical situation
in the Arctic has intensified

which the Minister of Defence
will explain.

Early this morning, the US sent
a squadron of F-35 fighter jets

up to Thule Air Base,
allegedly for an exercise.

That immediately made the Russians
extended their military exercise

and sent a squadron of MiG-31s
to the Nagurskoye base

in Franz Josef Land.

[Birgitte] I will talk to the Americans
and explain our position,

but we can't stop them from patrolling.

We'll always draw the shorter straw.

And we agree that
this has nothing to do with the oil.

Absolutely. We still have a deal
with the Americans

who have accepted that the Chinese
own the drilling company,

as long as we guarantee full transparency
in what China is doing.

Is it true that we haven't closed the deal
as to the division of the oil revenue

between Greenland and Denmark yet?

[Birgitte] Yeah. Greenland has
generously offered 25%.

-Yeah.
-I can't help but wonder

if we can get an advantage in our
negotiations from this entire situation.

Greenland must know that it would be
under great international pressure

and be very alone without Denmark.

And since we provide that security,

we can raise the percentage a bit.

[inhales sharply]

I would find it perfectly natural
to split it 50-50.

That's a good point, Signe.

I'll pass that on
to my negotiator up there.

Do we agree that the last time
we were here,

we all said that the drone
and the oil in Greenland

were completely separate issues?

And now we're mixing it all into one pot
to get more money from Greenland.

We're talking about 2,000 billion.

There are 56,000 Greenlanders
and nearly six million Danes.

It's the official policy
of this government

to support Greenland's wish
to exploit the oil.

I would almost say that 50% is not enough.

Is this another internal political row
in the New Democrats

which the two of you have to get sorted?

No, not to my knowledge.

Jon, won't you confirm that you
of course support the government's policy?

[tense ambient music playing]

Of course I do.

To think that we almost needed
a new world war

to realise how good we can be together.

Do you remember the issue
from the early negotiations

to form a coalition government
which we never really settled?

That as the party leader
of the second party in the government,

you wanted the title
of Deputy Prime Minister?

You should have that title.

I'll send out a press release later on.

Or we could make our own.

What do you think of this?

-[indistinct conversation]
-[approaching footsteps]

Well, Copenhagen has arrived.

Thank you, Hans.

And thank you for the long-awaited
correspondence with the Chinese

which we have read with great interest.

[distant jet engines approaching]

[jet engines roaring overhead]

[jet engines subside]

The US is flying the flag
because you're drilling with the Chinese.

But who was it that got the Americans
to accept China's presence?

[Asger] Denmark did.

And that comes at a price.

We need to show the US
that our control of the oil company

is reflected in the division of revenue.

That is why the new point of view
of the government

is to still phase out
the block grant, then

we split 50% to Denmark
and 50% to Greenland.

Ah… Excuse me? What… What are you saying?

Hans, if we divided
according to population,

you would have received 1%,

so it's not a bad deal.

I guess I should congratulate you
on your title as Deputy Prime Minister.

Thanks.

I saw your post on Instagram.

[chuckles]

It was funny that you used
the "Future is Female" hashtag.

Yeah. I thought Signe deserved that.

-It means so much to her.
-[knock on door]

Yeah?

-The Justice Minister has just arrived.
-[Oliver] That's not in your calendar.

I don't have an appointment,
but… I'm here now.

[door opens, closes]

I saw that you're now
Deputy Prime Minister. Congratulations.

It's been on the cards, but thanks.

-Did you come to congratulate me?
-No.

I'm here to tell you
that I'm challenging you

to a contested election to be
the party leader of the New Democrats.

[tense string music playing]

But you lost that election, Jon.
You don't have the support of the group.

I'm talking about the entire party.

There will be a party congress
as soon as possible.

The party secretary will call you shortly.

I just wanted to tell you in person.

You and I started this party.

Together.

[tense music swelling]

[door shuts]

[theme music playing]

Subtitle translation by:
Helle Kaiser-Nielsen