01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Blow, winds,

and crack your cheeks.

Join us for the leaders' debate,
coming up next.

- Time?
- 2:15.

- Cameras ready?
- Almost.

Benedikt Ríkarðsson,
the newly-elected chairman

of the Independence Party...

- Here's the hat.
- Two minutes.

Thank you.

Finnbogi, you're number one.

Valgerður, number two.

- Ása, three.
- Okay.

Benedikt... Where's Benedikt?

And Sigurgeir, you're number five.

Thank you.

- Have you seen Benedikt?
- No.

f*ck.

I have to warn Finnbogi.

- No.
- I do.

- No.
- I have to.

No.

All right.

Okay.

There.

No.

I have to go.

It's about to start.

- See you later.
- Vala's ahead of him.

She'll get the credit.

That's fine.

- Good evening, everyone.
- Evening.

Evening.

- Evening, Benedikt.
- Hi.

- Hi, nice to see you.
- Hi, likewise.

Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four,

three... Logo.

- Camera five in 15.
- Fifteen seconds.

Can we turn it up?

Five, mix.

Four, go.

Cut to... Go.

Good evening and welcome
to the first leaders' debate

before the parliamentary elections
in two weeks.

Each leader gets a one-minute
opening argument

- and then the debate will begin.
- Let's start.

Finnbogi Karlsson, chairman
of the Progressive Party, to start.

On one, cut to... Subtitle for Finnbogi.

Dear Icelanders,
we're going into an election

with the great progress
made by the government at hand.

The Progressive Party
wants to continue to build

on the solid foundation we've created.

We've been able to do so,
even though the opposition

fought against what benefits
the nation that we...

No.

- In the areas...
- Sorry.

Sorry. What do you mean?

Just...

The opposition hasn't fought
against what benefits the nation.

- Yes, right.
- Benedikt, you'll get your time later.

The opposition has been against
all our major policies.

No.

- What is he doing?
- Wait!

Your party is part of the government.

- Stop the clock.
- Do you want me to...

- Just stop it.
- Then you're giving him your spot.

- Okay.
- Just so you know.

- I know.
- Two on Benedikt.

- Benedikt, what are you talking about?
- Cut to camera two.

I don't think it's fair to say that.

The opposition isn't against
the major policies of the government.

We all agree about almost everything.

Ninety-five percent
of our policies are the same policies.

- Yes, but those five percent are huge...
- No, they aren't.

They are.

No, Finnbogi. They're five percent.

Wait, what are you talking about?

Are you saying it doesn't matter
who people vote for?

Not at all.

No, I'm saying that it's very important

that the voters vote for the people
who are ready

to work on behalf of this common ground.

Yes, but it's...

Benedikt has to finish.
You gave him your spot.

- Yes, but this is ridiculous.
- Yes.

We politicians spend too much time

fighting about insignificant details.

We agree on almost everything.
We just never show it.

That's not how democracy should work.

People should be able
to trust that all parties,

whether the right or the left,

want to do what's best for the nation

and are going to work together
on the policies they agree on.

Now there's new leadership in my party
and maybe a new vision as well.

Therefore, the Independence Party,
my party,

and the Social Alliance
have made an election coalition.

A coalition?

- May I speak now?
- Wait...

- I must respond.
- Valgerður.

You gave him your spot.

He's blowing up the government
live on TV...

I'm so sorry, Finnbogi...

Finnbogi, sorry,
we'd like Valgerður to comment.

It's true. We'll be working together.

We think it's more honest.

We're opposites...

- What the hell are you doing?
- Eggert, come on.

You don't do this without talking
to the party's inner circle.

That's what we did.

It's the norm in
Scandinavia, and we think

- the Icelandic nation will like it.
- May I speak?

- Wait.
- I must respond.

The cabinet has been broken up on TV...

I must be able to express
my opinion about this. May I?

Valgerður is up next.

- Jesus...
- Cut to camera one.

We are going to work on climate issues.

We have a plan.

Then we'll make great changes
in healthcare and education.

- The nation will see...
- Allow her to finish.

This is complete nonsense.

Are you going right and left?

Framing everything
as left or right is obsolete.

- The nation...
- We're at a crossroads.

- Sorry, I'm not finished.
- The nation...

The political system
is standing at a crossroads.

It hasn't evolved into the 21st century.

The nation needs politicians
with clear policies,

not a professor of theology
who's going in all directions.

Are you really trying to tell us
that the Progressive Party

- has always had clear policies?
- Yes, and the nation likes them.

Why is voter turnout
constantly decreasing, then?

- Exactly.
- It's a concern, of course...

May I...

The People's Party
supports electronic voting.

You'd need a whole month to articulate
all of your incomprehensible promises.

I'll explain it now.

- You have to be very quick.
- Excuse me.

Is he allowed to continue indefinitely?

- May I speak?
- Very quickly, Benedikt.

I'd like to discuss
what he was talking about.

- Benedikt, go ahead.
- Very quickly.

And relax, Finnbogi.

I'm restraining myself.

Let's keep it simple,
so that everyone understands.

There will be no coalition
if two conditions aren't met.

Our parties have to get
the majority of votes,

and 90 percent
of registered voters must vote.

Ninety percent?

Did he say 90?

Steinunn.

- That's a lot.
- It's bold.

But we have to make democracy
more vibrant somehow.

Exactly.

Thanks, Ása.

And it's happened before.

Ninety-eight percent of voters

took part in an election
for our independence in 1944.

That tells us what?

You're comparing yourself
to the fight for independence?

- No.
- You are.

It shows us that it's possible,

that this nation can do things
that men like Finnbogi

have lost faith in.

But, Benedikt...
What if you don't get 90 percent?

- Good question.
- What happens then?

Then there will be no coalition.

The Independence Party
will not be a part of the government.

Join us for the debate,
the night before the election.

Good night.

Cut to... Lights.

- I'm sorry, Finnbogi, that I didn't...
- No problem.

I've never seen such nerve.

- You gave your spot away.
- This isn't the first time

the media tries to stop
the Progressive Party.

Thank you. See you soon.

Listen...

That went well.

Ninety percent?

Where did 90 percent come from?

I don't know.

You have to discuss things
like that with me.

Was it a mistake?

- Hello.
- Good evening, my name is Hrefna.

I'm calling from the Independence Party.

I've never voted for
the Independence Party,

but after what Benedikt
said about 90 percent tonight,

- he's just amazing...
- He's just got it.

So can we count on your vote?

Yes, if he can fulfill his promises,
but I have to go now...

Okay. Thank you.

- Hello.
- Hello, my name is Hrefna.

I'm calling from the Independence Party.

The good old capital party.

I can assure you we'll focus
on the rest of the country as well.

Benedikt is from up north.

- He's a dreamer.
- Yes.

You have to have
vision to run a society.

He stopped coming up north
a long time ago.

- But he's from Svarfaðardalur.
- Yes, sure, but...

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

It's Benedikt. Benni.

Am I to believe that the son
of the harbormaster in my own county

isn't going to vote for me?

No, of course I'll vote for you.

- I'll put my trust in you, Palli.
- Yes.

- Say hi to your dad.
- I will.

Okay, bye.

- Right.
- Yes.

The harbormaster harbors no doubt.

What do people think of the 90 percent?

They like it a lot.

Everybody wants more people to vote.

Right.

There will be a meeting tomorrow
morning to go over the situation.

Can you come?

You run the call center, right?

Yes.

Can you come?

Yes, sure. No problem.

Sorry, can someone make some coffee?

Yes, of course. No problem.

No, they're waiting inside.

- Could you?
- See you tomorrow.

- Yes.
- Can you do it?

- Yes, no problem.
- Thank you.

Ninety percent?

We might as well give up right now.

Eggert, we won't win
with that frown of yours.

Ninety-eight percent of Icelanders

voted in the election
for our independence in 1944.

What does that tell us?

You're comparing yourself
to our fight for independence?

- No.
- Yes.

It shows us that it's possible,

that this nation can do things
that men like Finnbogi

have lost faith in.

Haven't you had
enough of yourself today?

I don't know, about


Something's wrong with you.

What do you mean?

Aren't you supposed to be going to bed?

Finally.

That baby, darling.

Something going on?

Listen...

Benedikt asked me to come
to a meeting tomorrow.

What?

- Are you going to the meeting?
- Yes.

- He came to me and...
- Benedikt?

Yes.

Okay.

- Great.
- Yes.

But...

Don't you think that this 90 percent
idea is complete nonsense?

If everything goes wrong
and Benedikt resigns...

- You'll just take over.
- It's a bit more complicated.

- Is it?
- I've been doing this for 25 years...

Shut up.

Mom?

- Don't make a sound.
- Will you go?

Come here.

Mom?

- I can't be bothered.
- No.

Me neither.

I'll handle the princess.

And you...

Wait here.

Okay.

Okay.

Let's keep it simple.

There will be no coalition
if two conditions aren't met.

Our parties have to get
the majority of votes,

and 90 percent
of registered voters must vote.

And 90 percent
of registered voters must vote.

I don't like going into work.

But it's easier now,

we're just telling people to vote,
not begging them to vote for us.

I don't know.

- Can I do it myself?
- Yes.

Great.

See...

You've got pants as well.

The skirt's beautiful.

I know, Sindri.

Come.

His pants are in here, do you mind?

Don't you think he looks nice?

Sure, but we're going
to a public meeting.

Right.

He'll grow out of it.

Can he stay here tomorrow as well?

Sindri can stay here
as long as he wants.

- Great.
- But I think he misses his parents.

Goodbye, my love.

Come on, dear.

What?

Nothing.

What's wrong with you?

A comfortable week ahead.

No.

Steinunn asked me to write a profile
of Benedikt for the weekend edition.

What's your deal with the paper?

- Five days for one profile.
- I get it.

She wants a quality profile.

She just wants you to paint
a shiny picture of him.

It'll be professional.

And what do you think she'll do
if you find any dirt?

She'll have to accept it.

Benedikt has put us
in a ridiculous position.

We have to focus on the
success of the government.

It won't mean anything
if the voters don't turn out.

We've seen it time and again,
that stability is the focus.

A stable, economic-based leadership.

Yes.

Until we gamble everything
with ridiculous promises.

Women, 36 to 45 years old,
are our lowest demographic.

We have to concentrate
on them. Svanhvít.

Yes, I'll visit all the top companies
hiring female employees next week.

- Okay.
- Great.

Hrefna.

What do the voters say? The ones
you're talking to at the call center?

Stable, economic-based leadership.

Will that excite people enough
to make them vote?

Well...

No.

I don't think so.

What do you think will work?

See...

The thing is... My feeling, anyway, is

that people have had enough of slogans.

Political nonsense.

What do you mean?

That might be your feeling,

but we have data that shows
what people want to hear.

It's not just a feeling,
she's running the call center.

- She's talking to people every day.
- Yes, but our report...

We've spoken with 20,000 people,

and there really is something going on.

Helga... Hrefna.

- This report cost millions.
- Okay,

but I'm only talking about
what we've heard.

People want straight talk.

That's right.

She's right.

Let's stop focusing on the party.

We have to get everyone on board.

We should convince people

that only idiots don't vote.

See...

The Independence Party is the backbone
of the Icelandic political system.

I'm not going to talk
down to the voters.

Don't be an idiot.

I've been a member
of this party for 40 years,

- and the chairman has never talked...
- This is what we should tell people.

"Don't be an idiot."

It's Ancient Greek.

It's what they called
those that didn't vote.

Nobody wants to be an idiot.

This has become a farce.

As if voter turnout is the main issue.

We have to find a way to make
these elections about real issues.

Absolutely.

I'll have a classic waffle
with cream and jam,

a bit of cinnamon and caramel.

Same here, but salt licorice
instead of cinnamon.

"Don't be an idiot."

"Don't be an idiot."

What the hell is he thinking?

He's never going to get 90 percent.

I'm not so sure.

We should encourage people
to dismiss this nonsense.

And not vote?

We're cornered.
We can't tell people not to vote.

But if we encourage people
to vote, more people will vote,

which makes it more likely
that he'll become prime minister.

But he can do it because
he charms people.

He's not perfect. There must
be something wrong with him.

We have to tell people
there's something wrong with him.

I know, but people think he's different.

He's different from
the traditional politician.

- What about Steinunn?
- His wife?

- She's from the Kvaran family.
- But I thought we decided...

Her father handpicked

- all the chairmen of the party himself.
- Except Benedikt.

Isn't it likely that the old man
controls the government through Benedikt?

They're in different
sectors of the party.

They don't talk.

- Here you are.
- Thank you.

Let him deny it.

Okay.

Have you seen this?

"A pawn on his
father-in-law's chessboard."

Sorry, I'm just checking
what this guy said 20 years ago.

- Theology student passes
out during Lent - He's strange.

"I'm not going to forget
the wisdom of other generations,

"so I'll be observing Lent
and I won't eat for seven weeks."

The tabloids have three articles
on Benedikt's ties to the elite,

- just this morning.
- Really?

Yes.

Do you know what time it is?

Good morning, my love.

A PAWN ON HIS
FATHER-IN-LAW'S CHESSBOARD

The tabloids don't stop.

"A pawn on his
father-in-law's chessboard."

It's working.

Hey.

- It's not working.
- You should read the comments.

Should I read the comments?

- Willingly?
- Really.

- I'm not going to do that.
- The day before the election.

Read the comments? Not happening.

And great changes in healthcare
and education.

What about the krona?
Will it be our future currency?

Interestingly, we're in the process
of forming a committee

to go over the monetary system.

Þorgeir, what's going on?

She's talking like we've agreed
to throw out the krona.

Eggert.

- He'll never get 90 percent.
- Maybe not.

But he'll continue as chairman.

If Benedikt says no to taking
part in government,

the party will reject him
at the general meeting.

The general meeting won't be
for months. This is very urgent.

- We have to do something now.
- Relax.

Work your body, man.

Want to be elected?

- Yes, I'm...
- Get him in shape.

Vote. Don't be an idiot!

All the wealth in Steinunn's family
comes from her mother.

She's part of the old Kvaran dynasty.
Settlement of the Kvaran family home

The reason she
doesn't talk to her father

is that Steinunn demanded
her part of the inheritance

when her mother died.

- Really?
- Hmm.

The old man had to divide it.

He hasn't spoken to her since.

Don't you know anything?

Shut up.

What's going on?

I didn't write it.

"A pawn on his
father-in-law's chessboard."

What is that supposed to mean?

What are you doing here?

The Independence Party
should win by a landslide tomorrow.

Let's see what happens.

Let's check it now.

But Benedikt will never
get 90 percent voter turnout.

The coalition with the
Social Alliance won't happen.

If you show some common sense
and stop doing this,

you'll be talking about what minister
you get to be when the weekend's over.

Amazing.

Benedikt.

Hi, Steinunn. I've got this.

You said so before, just before
you created that 90 percent thing.

We weren't going to discuss
that again, remember?

They're going to attack
me and my family.

Okay, Benedikt...

You say you're a new man in politics,

but your wife is part of an old mafia
that has run the country for decades.

And I'm a right-wing b*tch
who runs a media empire

bought with my mother's money,

never had to work
and doesn't deserve anything.

Steinunn, it won't be like that.

But you've married
into the financial elite.

Won't they run the country through you?

How many years has it been
since you talked to your father?

Do you think anyone will listen to that?

Just this once,
can I wear this handkerchief?

It shows a lot of arrogance
to base a campaign

on calling some people "fools" who show
a clear preference by not voting.

Let's keep the discussions objective
the day before the election.

We actually talk about idiots.

No matter.

No, it's idiotic not to use
your right to vote.

Half the world can't vote.

And if you can't be bothered
to get up off the sofa,

even if it's just to hand in
an empty ballot, that's idiotic.

I agree.

A man who married
into the financial elite

- can allow himself to think like that.
- No, Finnbogi, that's out of context.

I think it's positive...

See this.

Shouldn't I...

PART OF THE IP PARTY SEEKS COALITION
WITH PROGRESSIVE PARTY

- Take it to Ragga in the control room?
- Yes.

Look, we can all agree
that politics are about

- making society better.
- Closeup on Finnbogi.

That's the whole idea of democracy.

- Ragga. Ragga.
- Two.

- You have to be outside.
- But this has changed...

Ragga...

They have to see this.

They have to see this.

now politics are about
degrading your opponents.

It's important to get feedback on this.

This is why people don't vote anymore.

That's what's wrong with politics today.

And now you're talking about my wife.

Thank you for mentioning that.

My wife is the greatest person I know.

It doesn't make me a worse candidate
that I'm allowed to be her husband.

It saddens me,

it really does,

that people are still trying
to attack each other

instead of discussing how we
can create a better society.

Thank you, Benedikt.
What does the Pirate Party say?

We've fought for a new constitution
for a long time now.

I would say that that's number one
if we become part of a government.

Sorry, here's a new story.

"A group of Independence Party members

"who don't support the coalition
with the Social Alliance

"have made an agreement
with the Progressive Party

"about forming a new government
if the 90 percent fails."

Finnbogi, is that true?

Those of us who worked together
in the last government

were happy with our work

until the new chairman,
Benedikt, did what he did.

It also says that you encourage
people not to vote.

That goes against our democratic values.

Benedikt wants us to speak clearly.

He can't even control his own party.
He has no business being in government.

People in his party agree with me.

People have the right to do
what they want.

Vote if they want to,
stay at home if they want to.

That's a democratic
right. I'm a realist.

Benedikt, have you
lost control of your party?

See...

I...

I would wish I could say

that I was surprised
by this kind of conspiracy.

We all know how
Icelandic politics have been.

Secret deals behind closed doors.

But...

The good thing is that now we have

a few clear alternatives.

Either it's a transparent agreement
that Valgerður made,

or a secret agreement no one
was supposed to know about.

I have to be honest.

We all know

that a small part of my party isn't
happy with the new chairman, me.

And I'm responsible for that.

They find me...

A bit weird.

Unconventional.

But that might be because

I don't feel like
I'm a candidate for the party.

I'm a candidate for the nation.

And I want to take part
in giving the nation new politics,

where decisions are transparent.

I want us to act so that the nation can
take part in how this country is run.

I want to have the nation with us
because that's democracy,

and democracy is a remarkable thing.

If we don't use it,
it doesn't exist. It dies,

and the power goes
back behind the scenes.

Therefore...

We have to vote.

You don't have to vote for me.

You can vote for Finnbogi or Ása
or Sigurgeir or Valgerður.

Whoever you want.

But let's show up and vote.

- May I respond?
- No, our time is up.

Thank you.

The last leaders' debate is over.
Thank you for watching.

We'll follow the election
live tomorrow night.

Will people go out tomorrow
and exercise their right to vote?

Or will they stay at home?

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- Thank you for the debate.
- Good luck tomorrow.

- Good luck.
- Good luck.

Don't be so angry, Valgerður. Calm down.

Valgerður.

We'll win.

That went well.

That was Dad.

He made the deal with Finnbogi.

Wait...

What are you doing?

f*ck.

- I'm new at this.
- Please come in.

Everybody ready?

It's going, going...

Gone.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

It's the 6:00 news.

Polling stations have been busy today.

The election participation rate
hasn't been this high in decades.

Chairmen of the voting committees
won't comment on the voter turnout

until every vote has been counted.

It's expected to be tallied
early tomorrow morning.

Four, three, two, one.

It's 10:00.
Polling stations are now closed.

Hi, there, good to see you.

Nice to see you.

Hey.

- Oh, my favorite vice-chairman.
- Benedikt.

Svanhvít. Thanks for everything.

Thank you, too.

- Let's hope we make it.
- Yes.

Shouldn't we believe we will?

Here's to us.

- Isn't it time to get drunk?
- Yes, but without me.

- To a great campaign.
- Cheers.

but if you ask something like,
"Are you going to vote?"

then she's in a better position.

- Hi.
- Hello.

Now we just have to wait.

We'll find out, but I'm not optimistic.

In any case, it'll be interesting.

Dad! I found Steinunn.

How are you?

- You did great.
- Thank you.

Is Dad staying home?

Yes, he decided to stay home.

A hot date with Eggert, maybe?

Yes.

That must be a boring party.

a promise like this ever before?

I've never heard of anything
like this before.

That a political leader promises
not to form a government

if the voter turnout doesn't
reach a certain number.

Your son-in-law is the most
irresponsible politician

in the whole world.

So, you're part of the inner circle now.

I wouldn't say that.
I was just running the call center.

Did the vice-chairman get you the gig?

Yes, the Independence Party
is corrupt to the bone, of course.

It's disgusting.

How's it going? Not practicing law?

Are you asking as a reporter?

Wait... Sindri?

- Nice to see you.
- Yes.

Hello, my love.

What are you doing here?

We decided to come.

You've been working so hard.

We're your main
supporters. Right, Sindri?

At least the skirt's blue,
like the party's color.

Henry IV said that Paris
was only worth one mass,

and he changed his religion.

So we don't know what Benedikt will do.

All the girls at work
voted for Benedikt.

Except Petra. She's a communist.

We'll be taking you home soon.

He's what the nation wants.
I'm sure of it.

It seems the Reykjavik North district
is ready with the first numbers.

- Sorry.
- It's all right.

Can we get a mop to clean this up?

Thank you, I'll do it.

And we've gathered this
information today and it seems...

Can you go and put Sindri to bed?

Yes.

Aren't you tired?

No?

- I think you're tired.
- See you.

And now we'll reveal the first numbers

from the Reykjavik North district,
as predicted...

We'll go live now to the election
chairman of the district.

Tómas, over to you.

We've counted 18,135 votes,
divided as follows:

The Progressive Party, 3,259 votes.

The Independence Party, 7,813 votes.

The People's Party, 135 votes.

The Pirate Party, 2,007 votes.

The Social Alliance, 3,291 votes.

Ten ballots were empty or invalid.

Thank you.

We see that the Independence Party
has added a lot of votes.

Those numbers are remarkable.

The Independence Party
is more popular in Reykjavik

than it has been for years.

It's a great success
for Benedikt and his party.

The first numbers look very good
for you, Benedikt.

- What's your reaction?
- It's wonderful.

Valgerður, the Social Alliance is
doing much better

than in the last election.
What do you think?

It shows that people
support the coalition.

Benedikt, are you still
not going to be part of government

if the turnout isn't
at least 90 percent?

I keep my promises. Yes.

Bye, Benni.

- Are you leaving?
- Yes, I'm not allowed to stay any longer.

Good night, my dear.

- You're not leaving?
- No, just taking her to Dad's.

- Give him my regards.
- Will do, see you later.

At this time usually everyone
has left the election parties

except for the diehards, but not now.

Because the voter turnout is crucial.

The final numbers are on their way,
and the atmosphere is electric here.

We have the voter turnout numbers
from five of the six districts.

If we take a look...

Only Reykjavik North is left.

We can see that the voting
has increased a lot.

Hrefna!

I'm told we've got the final numbers

from Reykjavik North. Tómas.

Good evening, or good morning, actually.

We've got the final numbers
from Reykjavik North.

There were 46,051 registered voters.



or 88.6 percent.



Ólafur, 88.6 percent.



He needs 0.6 percent to get 90 percent.

It can't be any narrower.

Everyone, it's inside
the margin of error.

Everyone, it's inside
the margin of error.

Everyone, it's inside
the margin of error.

- It's not 90 percent.
- What?

That's not 90 percent.

or the missing 0.6 percent?

Any reasonable person would say
he should form the government.