04x08 - Mother of the Sea

[bunniefuu]

"IT IS NOT BECAUSE THINGS ARE DIFFICULT
THAT WE DO NOT DARE,

IT IS BECAUSE WE DO NOT DARE
THAT THEY ARE DIFFICULT" - SENECA

-[door closes]
-[birds singing]

[sombre ambient music playing]

Ugh.

-[Oliver] Something wrong?
-Er, no.

I just saw a dead mole lying on the path.

Unusual.

-That's nature for you.
-[phone chimes]

From: Michael Laugesen -
Nice article on 2.dk!

CLIMATE EXPERT: GREENLAND OIL
HAS NO SIGNIFICANT CLIMATE IMPACT

"An environmentally conscious extraction
of the Greenlandic oil

will be virtually undetectable
in global carbon emissions."

One might think it was… fake news.

-[Oliver snickers]
-It's not.

He's a renowned scientist.

[murmurs]

Er, tonight you and your son
are going on Daily Denmark

to talk about being a political family.

I thought we might postpone it because…

Well, because of the thing
with your party.

That's exactly why
we shouldn't change our plans.

It shows I'm on top form
when I'm doing things like that.

Then there's an extraordinary
party congress on Sunday

to elect a new leader of the party.

-And tonight you're going…
-No, there isn't.

No, there's a contested election
to be leader.

That doesn't mean they'll elect a new one.

[theme music playing]

MOTHER OF THE SEA

Good. We almost have
an agreement on Greenland.

And not least on the division
of the oil revenue.

Before we start, I would just like to say
that I don't expect a government crisis

or cabinet reshuffle
after this coming Sunday.

When Jon sees that
the party isn't backing him,

I think it would be the magnanimous
thing to do to let him continue

as Justice Minister,
but I will find a new deputy party leader.

Well, we will make a note of that.

-[Signe] Niels Erik, go ahead.
-Yes.

At the request of the Foreign Ministry,

we have established a new company
to oversee the Chinese drilling firm.

The Chinese hate it but accept it.
The US can live with it.

We considered different names
and agreed upon "Green Oil & Energy"

to indicate both Greenland
and green ambitions.

Yes. But I had the Premier
on the line yesterday, and she is furious.

But she has no choice but to accept it.

The memorandum of association
for the new company

is ready to be signed tomorrow,

and my Arctic ambassador
will be signing on our behalf.

But to Greenland it will look like
we're trying to stop them

from gaining independence.

But that is why we should try
to move on quickly.

But perhaps we should try to meet
Greenland halfway with a nice gesture.

[Signe] I think you should
sign the agreement

as Deputy Prime Minister, Birgitte.

Then I would have to leave
for Greenland tomorrow.

[Signe] Yes.

We have to hurry if we need to plan a
semi-official visit to Greenland for you.

But my party congress is on Sunday.

I think it would be
a lovely gesture, Birgitte.

[woman] You have been mentioned
quite a bit on social media.

Can you tell the readers
of Berlingske how you feel about that?

It irritates me when it's focused
on other things than my work,

but honestly I am fortunate enough
to have other things to do,

so I don't spend much time
thinking about it.

Isn't always having to deliver stressful?

Sorry. What were you saying?

Isn't always having to deliver stressful?

That's part of the job
when you accept this position.

We always have to go on air,
and we have to be the best.

But then it's an advantage
that I see journalism as my calling

and that I love my work.

[pensive ambient music playing]

[faint feedback whining]

[muffled speech]

[Pia] And, Torben, you will do
the analysis on both shows.

Yes.

-All set?
-[Narciza and Mikkel] Yeah.

Good. Let's get on it.

Er, how far on are we with planning

the battle for the party leader
position on Sunday?

Well, I think we should go all-out.

A new study desk, call in the experts
and of course me.

Sounds expensive.

By the way, we would love to have you on
as our Nyborg expert once more.

As long as it doesn't look like
I've asked to be on screen,

it's fine by me.

I would like to avoid any more comments.

-Yeah.
-Not from you. That's not what I meant.

But sure, I'll do it.

I want to talk to you about the… [sighs]

…Denmark Today interview Magnus said
you're doing with him tonight.

Are you sure that's a good idea?
He's a bit full of himself at the moment.

Listen, he asked me to do it.

And I think it's mostly about bringing
some attention to that organisation.

-New Earth or whatever it's called.
-Yeah.

But I just think
we need to look after him a bit.

He also needs to learn
to take care of himself.

Oh, Ida just came, so… Hi, honey.

Consider that thing about Magnus.

Yeah, that's fine. Bye.

Hi.

[Birgitte] Hi, honey.

Hi, Mum.

And you're up for
getting a bite to eat later?

Yeah, I'd like that.

-Hiya.
-Hi.

-I'm Louis. We spoke on the phone earlier.
-Yeah, that's right.

We're ready in two minutes.
Are you up for that?

-[both] Yeah.
-Good. Come with me.

[female host] Denmark has had several
political dynasties.

Families where generation after generation

walk the halls of the Parliament
in Christiansborg.

Perhaps there is a new dynasty on the way.

Magnus and Birgitte Nyborg.
Welcome to you both.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Lovely to be here.

Magnus, you're still a student,
yet you've made a name for yourself

as a representative of the protest
organisation New Earth,

which has criticised
the great oil project in Greenland.

That project is something you,
Birgitte Nyborg, are part of.

How does it feel to be criticised
politically by your own child?

Well, our family
have always appreciated a good debate.

And Magnus is 21.
Who agrees with their parents at that age?

Well, especially when the decisions
of the parents are so wrong.

Ah, but you're still able to sit down
and enjoy a good meal or a--

Yes, yes, yes. We have a great time.

Right after he accused me
of being a climate traitor

because I served a bit of beef.

Are you on Mum's case, Magnus?

I'll forgive the beef thing,

if she'll explain to me
why she wants to destroy the world

by burning 2,000 billion kroner's
worth of oil,

and especially to do it with China
who has used more cement and concrete

in three years than the US did
in the entire 20th century.

Well, there is an excellent article
on Channel 2's website

by a leading climate scientist

who emphasises that in the bigger picture,

exploiting the oil
will have hardly any consequences.

And that's a bit like saying
that it's okay to build

a small concentration camp
because somebody once built some

which were even bigger.

My goodness.
That is, erm, quite an example--

-No, honey, that is not the same.
-Oh.

No, I have to say
that comparison is in bad taste

which your generations tends to do

because of a mix of ignorance
and lack of historical knowledge.

If I lack historical knowledge,
maybe it's because your generation

has destroyed the world so badly
that my generation can do nothing else

but fight for the future.

I have noticed
that many young people just sling mud

and criticise the world
the rest of us have created

instead of making constructive
and concrete suggestions

to how we can make it better.

There are many young people
who are both ambitious

and study while they fight
for a better world, and things--

That's what I do
as a spokesperson for New Earth.

I've explained how this scientist,
Ørum from Channel 2's article,

has time and time again been criticised
for fiddling with statistics

and for pseudoscience.

Magnus…

Before you fall out
with scientists in the press,

I think you should get
a degree first yourself.

And you don't have a job
but let your parents pay for everything.

I pay for your vegan pizzas,
I wash your clothes.

You borrow my car when you go
to police interviews about animal cruelty.

I mean, how does that relate
with being a green activist

and not using fossil fuels?

You can hear yourself, right?
It's a bit of a double standard.

We'll… leave it at that.

Because now it's about ice cream.

-Today there was a competition….
-Christ, you're too much.

…the fanciest ice cream cone…

Magnus, take it easy.
Don't take it personally, okay?

-That's exactly what you need to learn.
-Can I get your microphone as well?

Twitter: Fønsmark says
she won't change maternity rules.

-[Søren] Need a ride?
-[Gustav] No, I'll just take my bike.

[Molly] Gustav, the Kn*fe
goes on the right.

Twitter: Heard her say:
"Take your kid to work with you. I did"

There.

Power-hungry workaholic!

The potatoes. Honey?

-Yeah.
-Did you do the potatoes?

Help yourself.

[Gustav] Thanks.

[Søren] What time's the match?

-Er, at six, I think.
-There we go.

[Katrine] Enjoy your meal.

The potatoes are very hard.

Er, Mum, they're completely cold.

What?

[Gustav] The potatoes are completely cold.

You forgot to boil them.

[Molly snickers]

Sorry. I'll boil them now.

No, no, no. It's alright, it's alright.

It's alright.
Who needs all that starch anyway?

-We'll have some salad instead.
-[phone ringing]

-It's my boss. I just have to…
-Can't we just eat?

[Katrine] Two seconds, okay?

-I thought Mum was the boss.
-[departing footsteps]

-Yeah.
-[door closes]

But there's always someone
who's an even bigger boss than you.

[Frederik] You left before we could talk.

Yeah, I left a bit earlier than usual.
It was my turn to cook dinner, so…

I just had a query.

Erm, I need a report on our public service

before negotiations
on the media agreement.

I need around 10 to 15 pages
from your news department.

I know you're busy already,
but can you help?

Yeah, of course. That's no problem.

It would be super to have it on Monday.

[ominous ambient music playing]

-[Gustav mocking]
-Stop it. Stop.

-Stop it!
-Don't look at him, Molly.

-[door slams shut]
-[Katrine] Gustav, stop it!

How many times does she have to tell you?!
You're driving the rest of us crazy!

Just stop it!

[sighs]

[dramatic string music playing]

[female reporter]
Tensions in the Arctic haven't decreased

after the US has begun sending
F-35 patrols across Greenland.

Nonetheless, Foreign Minister
Birgitte Nyborg

is going there today to sign an agreement
between Denmark, Greenland and China

on the future of their
joint oil adventure.

3 MISSED CALLS FROM PHILIP CHRISTENSEN

[phone chimes]

From: Philip

We need to talk about
your TV appearance yesterday. Call me!

From: press officer
Strong reactions to you on TV. Call me?

WORST MUM OF THE YEAR…

I pay for your vegan pizzas.

[video clip repeats]

People feel strongly about
that Denmark Today appearance yesterday.

Wasn't that bad, was it?

I can't find Magnus.

His profile is gone.

He hasn't deleted it. I can see it.

Maybe he's blocked you.

Blocked me?

Yeah.

[sombre instrumental music playing]

Oh.

[pilot speaks indistinctly over PA]

[female reporter] The division of future
oil revenue is said to be agreed upon,

although not all parties are pleased.

So, Hans Eliassen, what's wrong
with the new agreement?

Well, Denmark has used its, er,
priority claim to handle foreign policy

to get a bigger share of the oil revenue
which belongs to Greenland.

And my only comment is that this will be
the beginning of a new colonial time.

[knock at door]

Hi. Tanja.

[door closes]

What are you doing here?

[Tanja] Can I crash here?

My mum and my dad interfere in everything.

And my friends are clueless.

Tanja. You… You…

Hey, hey, hey.
What's going on? Look at me.

Tanja?

Tanja?

Tanja, come, come, come. You…

You can't sleep here.

What's going on?

You're a mess. What…
Why aren't you in school?

-Don't you miss having…
-Who is it that you think I miss?

He didn't k*ll himself. I just know it.

[crying]

I know.

[sobs softly]

Sometimes in life we need to accept
that there are things we don't understand.

[Tanja sobs softly]

No matter how hard and dreadful they are.

I'm all alone. Nobody's doing anything.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[camera shutters clicking]

[sombre ambient music playing]

[shutters continue clicking]

[Birgitte] Today we embark on a new era.

The founding of Green Oil & Energy
marks the beginning

of a historic collaboration
between Denmark, Greenland and China.

-And it is my hope that--
-[jet engine roars overhead]

[chuckles]

[Birgitte] And it is my great hope
that this partnership

will help tackle
the challenges we face on a global scale

while bringing prosperity
to the local community

and strengthening the bond
between our nations. Thank you.

[scattered applause]

-Will you be taking questions?
-No.

[Oliver chuckles nervously]

Hans, wasn't that a bit
unnecessary and childish?

The agreement we just signed
and smiled about

just confirms that nothing has changed
in the relationship between our countries.

Which will provide you
with several hundred trillion kroner.

We're forced to be together in this.
We inherited this situation, Hans.

Has Denmark made mistakes? Yeah.

You're not ready to stand alone.

Because you made sure it was like that.

You've removed Greenlandic children,
you've gone over our heads.

There aren't enough qualified Greenlanders
to take over if we pull out tomorrow.

Can you study medicine here? No.
You have no army.

Other countries than Denmark
can defend us.

Russia, China and the US
would all love to step in.

But you're naive if you think
they will give you more independence.

[phone vibrates]

Denmark allows
Chinese companies to operate

completely differently in Denmark.

As soon as it's in Greenland,
they can't do a thing

because of the Thule Air Base
which you gave to the Americans.

Greenland's geopolitical location
between two continents isn't my doing.

Greenland is what made Denmark
an important ally of the US.

You will lose that international standing
as soon as Greenland becomes independent.

That's basically why you won't let us go.
The dependency goes both ways.

I know.

All of us know.

We just don't talk about it.

[oil drill whirring]

[voicemail message] Hi, Mum, it's Laura.

You're not answering your phone.
Maybe there's no connection?

Well, I saw the interview
with you and Magnus, and to be honest,

I think you said
some really far out things.

Magnus is really upset.

And extremely hurt.

I hope you know that.

What you did wasn't okay.

[emotional instrumental music playing]

-[Birgitte] Oliver.
-[Oliver] Yes?

I would like to get
to Denmark quickly if it's possible.

Yeah, well, our flight to Copenhagen
is as 2:50 p.m.,

and the Mayor of Ilulissat
has arranged a cruise on the Icefjord

where you might be able to see whales.

Do I have to?

Yeah. I think it would be seen
as a bit arrogant to… to refuse it now.

[scoffs softly] It won't, will it?

I mean, have you seen how beautiful it is?

[seagulls squawking]

It's completely insane!

[pensive instrumental music playing]

From: Philip
Birgitte, call me! We have to talk!

[Josva] When I was a boy,

the icebergs calved
much further out than today.

The ice has receded
by 15 kilometres since then.

[Josva] It's very clear to us
that it's disappearing.

[boat engine whirs, stops]

Is something wrong?

I spotted a seal.

But it submerged.

Can you see that village?

That's where I was born.

At the bottom of the Red Bay.

It's called that because the sea turns red
when we slaughter the whales.

How many whales do you catch?

I couldn't say.

In the old days

we said Sassuma Arnaa,

the Mother of the Sea.

She gives us prey

when she wants to be generous.

And she takes from us
if we've been greedy.

[distant expl*si*n booming]

Is that…?

Yes. The Chinese.

My goodness. That was quite something.

They're blowing up the whole mountain.

As a matter of fact, it's partly my fault.

I let them use the area
where my hunting hut is.

And they gave me this fine boat as thanks.

Perhaps all of this is more my fault.

What did you get out of it?

I got to continue to be Foreign Minister.

Power.

[sighs]

In my old boat,

I caught hundreds of seals.

I haven't caught a single one in this.

The Mother of the Sea
probably thinks I'm too greedy.

[Josva laughs heartily]

We dislike the idea of reneging
on the agreement with Greenland and China

because we would lose credibility
as a global trading partner. Agreed?

Yeah. And we just signed the deal, right?

But what if we didn't renege on the deal

with the Chinese of our own accord?

What if something forces us
to break the deal?

Something beyond the Danish Contracts Act?

[Asger] Are you contesting
the agreement we just signed?

[Birgitte] Just consider it
as a theoretical experiment.

Could it be something about nature?

Yeah! Something about nature
would be really great.

Yes, it can be something about nature,

but we have been down that road, Birgitte.

Neither the humpback, the piked whale
nor the Greenland whale is endangered.

[phone chimes]

The Greenland whale might be soon,
but it's not…

From: Tanja - I can't take it.
I don't want to go on.

[Birgitte] Aren't there any other animals?

[sombre instrumental music playing]

[cutlery clatters on table]

[Asger] I have to go.

Okay.

[siren wailing]

[Tanja sobbing]

[Hans] I'm here.

I'm here.

[Birgitte] I didn't know you were home.

I've tried to get hold of you.
I've called you so many times.

I thought you were coming home tomorrow.

-Can't we sit down--
-No, we can't. Not any more, Mum.

Let me give you a lift
so you don't have to carry all that.

No, thanks.

[door opens, slams shut]

[emotional instrumental music playing]

WHAT DO WHALES EAT?

PLANKTON. KRILL. WATER FLEAS.

Sure. Well, I'm with Hans at the moment.
We're with the delegates. Right.

Hi, Hans. I just came to say goodbye.
I'm on my way to the airport.

Your minister
is something else, isn't she?

She takes 50%
and then congratulates Greenland.

Yeah.

Hans, do you have a minute?

-Have a seat.
-Thank you.

I'd like to tell you
something about Malik.

He…

He told me that he's so glad
you take good care of Tanja.

I just wanted you to know.

She's my daughter.

Yeah, of course.

I'm… I'm leaving.

Goodbye, Asger. And thanks for everything.

Hans, I'll speak to you tomorrow.

[departing footsteps]

Emmy.

I just wanted to say goodbye.

Er… I brought you this.

Knud Rasmussen. The Great Sled Journey.

Thanks.

What the hell are we doing?

This is simply the least romantic thing
one could ever imagine.

And not knowing if I can make it work

with my husband
isn't the most romantic thing.

He doesn't have a clue.

And taking a morning-after pill
after our first meeting

wasn't the most romantic thing either.

Okay. So now you go back to your husband,
and I go back to Copenhagen.

And it's as if this
has never happened. Huh?

And that's great because then
there hasn't been any consequences.

Has there?

And that's what it's all about.
Avoiding consequences, right?

Nothing should really hurt.
Nothing should be really necessary.

It just has to…

But somehow it hurts when you tell me…

when you tell me
that you took a morning-after pill.

Yeah, but--

That's the perfect example
of just being able to change everything.

-That's just the way it is.
-That's not the way it is.

What if this thing we are regretting
is the right thing?

What if the two of us are… Er…

What if we are each other's… necessity?

It would require us to be brave.

Knud.

He was brave.

So he was in no doubt
that he had lived when he d*ed.

The question is if…
if the rest of us will be.

Yeah.

[departing footsteps]

[male newsreader] Will the Minister
of Justice be fired today?

Will the Foreign Minister be toppled?

Will the New Democrats
have to leave the government?

A clever politician once said
that much can be done in politics

if one is willing
to let others take credit.

But today both the kingdom,
the power and the glory are at stake.

[birds singing]

[digging in soil]

[car door closes]

[emotional instrumental music playing]

-This looks nice.
-Why are you all dressed up?

Because I'm going on TV, sweetie.

But I'd rather be here with you.

[Søren] "Loving one's fate and one's job."
Nice headline.

Is that the send-off you're giving me?

Honey, it's fine.
Do your job while I hold the fort.

[Søren] Okay?

[voice breaking] Okay. Fine.

Fine.

[indistinct conversation]

[knock at door]

Yes?

Sorry to disturb.

They called from Washington.

The American President
wants to talk to you.

-The President?
-In five minutes. On the secure line.

It's about Greenland.

[Narciza] Today things could get
really personal

when the New Democrats meet for
the hastily called leadership election.

And these aren't just any candidates.

It's a contested election
between the founders of the New Democrats,

namely Jon Berthelsen and Birgitte Nyborg.

And joining us today in the studio
at the congress hall is, of course,

TV1's political editor, Torben Friis.

-Welcome.
-Thanks.

I'm being told now that the party leader
and Foreign Minister,

Birgitte Nyborg, has arrived.

You have the majority
in the parliamentary group,

but do you have it in the entire party?

Well, the parliamentary group
usually represents the members' opinion.

But more than anything,

I hope that if we arrived here divided,
we leave united.

[Narciza] And in a moment
we will be joined by the head of news

here on TV1, Katrine Fønsmark.

She was Birgitte Nyborg's
press officer and spin doctor

for a number of years.

Narciza, Katrine isn't ready yet,
so we'll cut to Benjamin.

[Benjamin] Thomas Meldgaard,
what do you expect to see today?

Loyalty. And my loyalty lies
with Birgitte Nyborg.

-Here comes Sejrø.
-Okay. Benjamin. We need to go to Sejrø.

Bent Sejrø, what are your expectations
in the election today?

It is a regrettable day when a party
is plagued by internal conflicts.

But the election is necessary.

-Just let me know.
-Yeah, yeah, okay.

-Just a moment.
-Yeah.

It's ten years too early
with those hot flashes.

Hi, Birgitte.

Yeah, I'm going on TV in a minute.

I just had to cool down.

Are you okay? You seem a bit agitated.

I'm fine.

I assume you're the Nyborg expert?

Let me just say, I hope you'll be above
getting too private in your coverage.

How I am as a mother, that sort of thing.

[faint feedback whining]

Of course. We don't plan to.

-Good. See you.
-See you soon.

[applause]

And that, my dear friends,

is why you need to know
that if I'm to be chosen

as your new leader,

tonight I have only one request
of Birgitte Nyborg.

Which is…

Dear Birgitte.

Do you not want to be a part
of the New Democrats again?

Thank you.

-Two minutes.
-Yes, thanks.

We're on in two minutes.

I'll start by introducing you,
then I'll go to Torben.

-[Pia] We just need to stand by, okay?
-Yeah.

[feedback whining]

-[feedback continues]
-I think it's better if I join later.

[Pia] You can't leave now!

[Dan] Check the connection
to Katrine's earpiece.

[ominous instrumental music playing]

[Narciza] I hear that, surprisingly,
Bent Sejrø has asked to have the floor.

[Torben] Well, you can see it as a sign
of how desperate Nyborg is

when she asks her maybe
last and only friend in Danish politics

to speak on her behalf.

"What are my options?"

That's what Birgitte would usually ask me
back when she was prime minister.

The first woman in the position.

But she might also have been
one of our best prime ministers.

And why?

Because she managed
to show herself as a person.

She was also the first prime minister
to take parental leave.

It was ahead of its time.

Five hundred years ago,

Machiavelli wrote that it was better
for a prince to be feared

than to be loved.

He did that because he was more in favour
of tyranny than

democracy.

For Birgitte Nyborg, it's the opposite.

We support her because we love her.

But do you know what?

Of late,

I have begun to fear you, my girl.

Birgitte,

I can no longer see you as a person.

I've lost sight of you.

Or perhaps you have.

So you have stripped me
of the possibility of supporting you

because

I can no longer find you.

[audience reacts]

Therefore, dear friends,

I will vote for the candidate
I can recognise.

Namely, Jon Berthelsen.

[audience murmuring]

[ominous instrumental music playing]

-Er…
-Torben?

[chuckles] Well, Narciza.

That caught us, pardon my French,
with our pants down.

[Torben] I mean, this is a crippling
statement by Bent Sejrø

who has been Nyborg's trusted friend
throughout her career in politics.

But we must remember that Nyborg
is still in a strong position.

The battle isn't lost.

Okay, that was a hard blow
and you are down for the count,

but you can still get up.

I know. I was there
when you won the election

by saying you were a bit too fat
in a dress that was a bit too purple.

She's the one Bent can no longer see.

That's why you have to take him down.

Pardon me, but he has just
stabbed you in the back.

The gloves are off.

We have 45 minutes until you're on.

"Bent, I love you dearly,
and your words mean a lot."

"That's why it pained me to hear

that you are currently
being examined for dementia."

You have to.

If you don't question his credibility,
you can't win.

I need a minute.

Birgitte, we're in
the middle of something.

Okay.

Get a handle on that speech.

[door opens]

[door closes]

I'm standing here with today's Politiken,

and this front page just might say it all.

[Torben] A cold and aloof Nyborg
is standing on a Chinese oil barrel.

Behind her is a Russian sub,
American fighter jets

and down here in the corner,
if you can see it,

there is a polar bear almost drowning.

I don't recommend giving
the same speech as in the picture though.

"Pardon me. But, New Democrats,

what's the problem?"

[laptop chimes]

I've suggested to get a comment
from the Prime Minister.

[Pia] If you can get Katrine
to add some emotion to that.

-Where is she?
-What do you mean?

-She hasn't returned.
-I'll look for her, huh?

No, you can't leave as well!

-Listen up, Narciza.
-[scoffs]

Take it on your own until Nyborg is on.

-[Dan] Get yourself ready.
-Yeah.

[phone ringing]

Birgitte? Are you not about to give
the most important speech of your career?

Have you read my email?

[Asger] I don't think I had an email.
Two seconds, let me check.

Yeah, okay. There it was. What's up?

Do you remember our talk in Greenland?

Whether protecting nature
could be used to cancel the agreement?

Yeah.

We all agree that, at the moment,

there are no endangered whales
in the oil area, right?

Yeah.

What if the water contains
one of their foodstuffs

which actually will be endangered
if the oil is extracted?

Such as the water flea?

Birgitte. Christ.

If we're completely honest,
the Arctic is a sensitive ecosystem,

and we don't know the consequences
of sailing oil tankers around up there

or building oil refineries.

And I assume we can find experts
who will attest to that.

Yeah. Er, Nadia Barazani
might be able to help you.

-[chuckles] Very funny.
-[Asger laughs]

Then I think you should
find those experts.

I just have to understand, Birgitte.
Are we for or against the oil today?

It's all in the email. Read it.
And, Asger?

I've been thinking about something…

Emmy…

Maybe she wasn't a mistake after all.

[emotional instrumental music playing]

[sighs]

She's right here.

-[Torben] Thanks. I'll take it from here.
-[woman] Thanks.

[door opens, closes]

-[Torben] You'll be okay.
-[sniffles]

I'll be out in a couple of minutes.
I just have to…

[crying softly]

I think you should just

stay here.

Okay? You don't have to do anything.

Okay?

You know what?
You don't have to go anywhere.

I'll get hold of Søren.

[phone ringing]

Hey, Birgitte.

I was just about to call you. What's up?

Do you remember our conversation
about the importance of keeping one's job?

Yes.

You sound philosophical
ahead of your big speech Sunday afternoon.

I came back from Greenland last night.

We signed an agreement
nobody really likes.

The Greenlanders feel we've held them down
and have taken too much.

The Danes feel guilty

both about Greenland
and about the climate.

The Chinese feel fettered
by the Americans,

and the Americans do flybys
to intimidate the Russians

and everybody else in the area.

And how did we end up here?

My motive was mostly to keep my job.

So now that I'm being a bit philosophical,

I'd like to know when enough is enough.

-I'm sure you have an answer to that.
-Yeah.

But you're not going to like it.

And we're being told now
that Birgitte Nyborg still hasn't arrived,

even though we have a packed audience.

As far as I know, it's unprecedented
for a leader to fail to appear.

[Benjamin] The party rules actually state
that if Nyborg doesn't participate

in the actual election,
Berthelsen will take over as leader.

I'm going to ask you if we should
abandon a political stance

we've insisted upon
for the last few weeks,

and that has a lot of prestige.

Normally I would say no.

But guess who called me an hour ago?

The Americans have lost their patience.

[tense instrumental music playing]

I'm sorry I'm late.

[applause subsides]

[clears throat]

When I lost my father five years ago,

I was sitting next
to Bent Sejrø in the church.

And I was incredibly sad
that I'd lost my dad.

But I had a feeling that

I still had my other father.

And that's you, Bent.

So when you said that

you could no longer recognise me,

I thought that
I must have changed quite a lot

if not even my Bent can see who I am.

So I'd like to show you today.

I would like to tell you all
something that's… crucial

about the right to call the sh*ts.

Power.

It's a word we have difficulty with
in this country.

"To stay near the ground serves us best",
is how we think,

because modern-day Denmark
was born out of defeat.

But you can't be a politician
without wanting power.

Without power, we couldn't carry out
all our important policies.

But power has a life of its own.

[Birgitte] And suddenly you've forsaken
everything you believed in.

Jon,

I tried to put you down.

Make you toe the line.

Threatened to take power away from you.

You know what?
Jon didn't let himself be kept down.

Do you know why?

Because what Jon believes

will always carry
greater weight than power.

Personally, I went so far

as to say dreadful things to my own child

on TV

in order to stay in power.

I might have changed as a person.

But I hope never to lose the ability
to admit I am wrong.

At long last, I have understood
that the cost of the oil in Greenland

far, far outweighs the… the advantages.

Even though Greenland sees it
as a road to independence,

which we must help them achieve.

But not to the detriment of nature,

which is the very soul of Greenland.

Therefore, I can say

that the government, from now,
no longer supports the oil

due to protective purposes
that supersede it.

[audience murmuring]

[Birgitte] This matter has caused
division internationally,

it's caused a rift with Greenland

and is the primary reason
behind this election.

But, my dear friends,

we mustn't fight against each other

but for what we believe in.

I believe in this party.

Sometimes life tells us
that a new chapter is beginning.

It's beginning for me today.

As a politician.

As a human being.

-I hereby step down as party leader.
-[audience reacts]

And strongly recommend
that we vote for Jon Berthelsen

as leader of the New Democrats.

[dramatic instrumental music playing]

[Narciza] Did that just happen?

-I didn't see that coming.
-Pia, where is… where is Benjamin?

[applause intensifies]

[applause subsides]

Before I give the floor over to Jon,

I'd like to say to you, Bent,

that I'm right here.

And if I should become unemployed,

I hope I can again ask you…

What are my options?

[applause]

[applause continues]

[Birgitte] Will you take this?

[wind blowing gently]

[dramatic instrumental music playing]

[Mikkel] The government is not resigning
after Nyborg stepped down

as party leader
of the New Democrats last Sunday.

Instead, there will likely be
a minor cabinet reshuffle.

And there are some new developments
in the oil extraction matter.

The Greenlandic oil project at Ilulissat
will be shut down.

It follows last year's decision
not to enter into any more oil projects.

And I think most people would agree
that the climate comes out as the winner.

It's worth noting that Russia and the US
have decided to pull out

the fighter planes
that were briefly stationed in the Arctic,

which can't be bad for world peace.

As Prime Minister,
I would like to recognise

Greenland's great wish for independence.

And I don't think it can be expressed
better than when I offered Naja

that Denmark would be willing
to increase the block grant,

which she immediately declined
with the words…

Thanks. But Greenland
shouldn't be compensated

by making us more dependent on Denmark.

[reporters clamouring]

Hi. I thought we were finished.

I have had an idea.

Don't you usually just tell
the press first, and me afterwards?

[chuckles]

Yes, but this one requires
that the PM agrees.

I suggest that I be nominated.

But of course, it's confidential.

Interesting.

[Rasmus] Congratulations.

It's not every day that you get
to shut down a project worth 2,000 billion

to protect a water flea.

I think you know that the flea
that actually shut down this project

lives in the White House.

Did you hear about Hans Eliassen?

They held meetings
about rare earth materials. Uranium.

Yes, but rumour has it
that he'll be fired as Foreign Minister

for always going rogue.

Does that remind you of someone we know?

Hey. Aren't you two coming for a beer?

I'm afraid we can't because we have
a reservation for a badminton court.

Okay?

Are you seeing each other socially?

[chuckles] But it's alright.
You're on the same level.

I don't think we're on the same level.

Maybe we should actually play
before you make that judgement.

[Nina] You seriously think you can win?
[chuckles]

I was Herlev champion in 9th grade.

[Asger chuckles]

Herlev? Isn't he from Hellerup?

No. Then I wouldn't have hired him.

Honey?

Hey.

I have an idea how to make
an office for you in the barn.

But I just spoke to the electrician.

It'll be a couple of weeks
before we can get electricity installed.

But a few weeks is fine, isn't it?

Er…

I mean, the doctor said three months.

I'll show you.

-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.

Come. Have a look.

I mean, you can get your own
part of the house.

Erm, we can move
all this crap out of here, okay?

And move it in there.
Then we can put your desk over here.

Why do I need my own part of the house?

Well, because, I mean,
Gustav and Molly have, er…

[hesitates] You've said that they're--

What did they say?

Yeah, erm…

That sometimes
when you're pressurised at work,

it can be a bit hard, and…

You're the nicest husband in the world.

You're trying your utmost
to stop me from going back too soon

and having another breakdown.

-I just don't want anything to go wrong.
-[whispers] I know.

So therefore you want to give me
my own part of the house.

So the kids won't disturb me.

-And so I don't snap at them.
-I… [hesitates]

Er… [sighs]

I've been thinking about something.

Which you probably also have,

but haven't wanted to say.

I think I should quit my job.

I should write to Frederik

and tell him that I want to resign
as head of news.

-[Rasmus] Ah, lovely. Thanks.
-[Asger] Wonderful.

No, no, it's on me.

We have to celebrate
that you're not interim any more.

You are hereby our Arctic ambassador.

There you go.

-It's a Brøndby scarf.
-Yeah.

As long as I am the Permanent Secretary,

there is only one team
in the Foreign Ministry.

Did Birgitte ask for me to get appointed?
In the middle of all this?

She likes you.

And strictly between you and me,

it's one of her last acts
as Foreign Minister.

And do we know what she's gonna do?

Yes. She and Kragh have a plan.

[phone ringing]

I guess Nyborg is on her way
to the Queen now.

Hi, Niels Erik.

[Rasmus] Yeah.

[shutter clicks]

[phone chimes]

Poor G&T temperature in Copenhagen.

[phone keyboard clacking]

[phone chimes]

From: Emmy Rasmussen -
You know where to find the ice.

[phone ringing]

Well, well.
If it isn't the former news chief.

Did Narciza really apply for my job?

Yes, she did.

It's not gonna be any fun to be
a white middle-aged man around here.

What are you doing?

I think I'm going to write a book.

Do you want in?

Yes, why not?
What are you going to call it?

Power in Denmark, I think.

That's a hell of a title.
Right up my alley.

[chuckles]

[Benjamin] We're standing here
at the royal palace

where we will meet the new
cabinet ministers in a short while.

Normally, a small reshuffle
wouldn't attract a large crowd,

but this is also more of a farewell
to one of the major players.

Namely, Birgitte Nyborg.

Do you really have to
completely give up politics?

Maybe a new chapter will do me good.

It certainly looks as though
you'll be missed.

Do you have anything to say
to the people here?

Well, maybe most politicians
ought to remember

that you're most popular when you leave.

-[laughs]
-[crowd applauds]

Thanks. Oh, there's my entire family!

Thank you. Hi, honey.

Hi, Laura!

-Magnus. Magnus Nyborg?
-Yeah?

Did your mother's decision surprise you?

Er…

I think that it's so mega cool

that she is… choosing to find herself.

That everything doesn't have to be
about career and power.

-[Benjamin] Birgitte Nyborg?
-Yeah?

The EU Commission has to find
a new commissioner next month.

Could you be a candidate to be
one of the most powerful commissioners?

I never answer hypothetical questions.

Did you get a new job?

-Honey…
-Are you moving to Brussels?

I'm not done with having opinions
about the world.

[Oliver] We're ready now.

Well, we have to talk later.
I'm still working at the ministry.

[Laura] See you.

Grow up, little brother.
You're just like her.

You just have to go back to university.

-I already have.
-That's good.

I assume you have arranged
my farewell reception?

Correct. Strawberry cakes it is.

Yes!

Are you looking forward
to getting a new minister?

My work is the same no matter who it is.

Good answer.

But

I think Brussels is lucky to have you.

I'm not sure they'll think so.

[theme music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[cheering fades out]