01x05 - Episode 5

[bunniefuu]

I want us to act like the nation
can influence government

because that's democracy,

and democracy is a remarkable thing

because if we don't use it,
it doesn't exist.

- What does the report say?
- I can't tell you.

If it goes public,
it's only bad for one person.

You.

Benedikt, you know they're going to
put the hotel in the bird sanctuary.

This is what your mother fought for.

What's going on? Is the deal off?

I'll handle it.

We have to fire Eggert from government.

- Shouldn't we think about it?
- No.

He broke the coalition agreement.

His niece was going to be
the director of the hotel.

- I went to the ceremony.
- Yes. Is he with you?

He was with me,

but he insisted I let him out
on the side of the road.

I never told you about Eva,
Benedikt's mother.

One day I came home and...

Then just...

She was hanging here. In her nightie.

He's behaving exactly

like his mother did.

The incident in the UK...

My brother said you lost
all contact with reality.

I cried for three days
when they took me to the hospital.

Something broke.

"How far that little candle
throws its beams!

So shines a good
deed in a wicked world."

You have to keep packing.

- Hm?
- I don't want to.

Come on, I'll help you.

Then we welcome people with champagne.

The bar will be there
and then you replenish the glasses.

Yes, great. Thanks.

We've started looking at the currency.

There's a report coming out soon.

Then we got a comment
from the teachers' union.

They're talking about reducing
teachers' education, again.

I wish we could pay them more.

Then you have to look at this
proposal about tax steps

from the tax inspector general.

Can't we do something about it?

- The inspector general?
- No, the teachers.

Yes. We have to take a look at it.

And remember,
the party is still waiting to know

who will become minister
instead of Eggert.

Yes.

Listen.

Then you'll become
president after lunch.

No.

- Really?
- She's going abroad.

Shouldn't I accompany
her to the airport?

- That's no longer the tradition.
- But I have to be there

when I get the president's powers
for the first time.

No, but...

Okay, prepare yourself.

You have to call me "Mr. President"
this afternoon.

Are you asking him for advice?

Before we start...

I can only talk generally.

Ready?

They're deporting
a Ukrainian gerontologist

who has been denied a resident visa.
Is this the way we want to do things?

It's very sad to have to deport people
that want to live here,

especially people with
valuable knowledge.

But I can't comment
on individual cases...

Didn't you answer them?

It's nothing.

It becomes a problem
when it's in the media.

- Have you heard from Benedikt?
- No.

You know this isn't necessary.

I know, but it's my first time
and it's such a cute tradition.

Yes.

It will be very time-consuming
if you do it every time.

Yes.

Madam President.

Hand me your power.

- Have a good trip.
- Thank you.

Well, boys.

I'll try this one. Boys...

I'm coming with you.

There will be protests
in the Breiðholt area

at the home of the Ukrainian family
that's going to be deported.

Can you turn up the volume?

but was denied
a medical license in Iceland.

Therefore, her application
for residence has been rejected.

Karl Þórsson is the president
of the School of Medicine.

What do you think about this?

Not my department.

it's for the safety of patients.

A license here gives you
the license to practice

- in the European Economic Area.
- No, no...

It's a great responsibility
to issue a license like this.

I'm going to miss...

Icelandic coffee.

Well, it's not really Icelandic.

It's just imported coffee.

You know what I mean.

Have you found a place to stay?

I'm waiting for an answer from my uncle.

Okay.

The Directorate of Foreigners
is behaving like the Gestapo!

- Is humanity forbidden?
- No.

- Is humanity forbidden?
- No!

- What's the prime minister's part in this?
- Not now.

Are you here to throw them
out of the country?

No, not at all.

- Hello.
- Hello.

- I have to speak to the family.
- We're a bit busy.

Sorry, I'm the prime minister
and hold the power of the presidency.

I demand you let me talk to the family.

Yes...

Hello. Benedikt.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Hi.
- Hello.

Benedikt.

Shouldn't we go in for a chat?

We should go inside to have a chat.

It's a typical "computer says no" case.

She's a doctor.

She can't work here
because her license isn't Icelandic.

Is that the reason
they're deporting her?

Not quite, but the hospital suggested
that she could repeat

three years of her studies.

But she had to take an entrance exam.

In Icelandic.

Which is ridiculous.

Irina said, "No problem."

How did you learn Icelandic?

I just practice.

At the same time, she's working all day
cleaning hotel rooms.

But you passed?

- Yes.
- And there she is, repeating her studies

but had to decrease her workload to 40%,

and that's when the Directorate
of Foreigners steps in.

Why?

Because then her wages are so low
that she doesn't fulfill

the minimum requirements and therefore
loses her right to reside here.

- That's ridiculous.
- She's appealed,

but according to the new laws,

that doesn't delay the deportation.

Benedikt, what happened in there?

Isn't it strange

how we built a system
based on prejudice?

No. Not prejudice.

On apartheid.

We who are born here
and then the others...

And we throw talented people out
of the country, even doctors,

even though we have
an urgent need for doctors.

Yes, what do you mean?

We in the government

have decided to give
them resident visas.

I want to talk about
the Directorate of Foreigners.

The name itself reeks of prejudice,
"the Directorate of Foreigners."

Shouldn't it be called
the Directorate of Immigration?

Or the Directorate of Reception?
Think about it.

Great.

It looks like remarkable changes
have happened here

as the prime minister himself arrived...

No, Benedikt!

PRIME MINSTER GRANTS
RESIDENT VISA TO UKRAINIAN FAMILY

- Hi, there.
- What's going on?

Going on? What?

- I mean, you gave some people a visa.
- Yes.

- But you're not allowed to do that.
- Hrefna...

Just talk to Svanhvít.
She's the minister of the interior.

Yes, Svanhvít can do it...

It's very important.

I know it's important, but it's also
important to do things correctly.

- Hrefna, talk to Svanhvít for me.
- Me?

Hi.

I decided to visit.

- Nice to see you. Have a seat.
- Thank you.

Isn't Karen looking forward
to the birthday party tonight?

- Tomorrow, actually.
- Tomorrow.

Right.

The medical board met to talk
about the Ukrainian doctor.

I was just wondering
what you were thinking.

Yes... Um...

Good question.

Why do you insist that educated doctors
repeat their studies?

I'm not sure...

- Who are you excluding?
- I think that's not...

People from Eastern
Europe, India, China.

Everybody who's not part
of the Western hegemony.

Of course not.

Here we have a very
well-educated doctor.

And the system says, "Go away.

You're not part of us."

Do you know what we call this?

Racism.

Quality standards are not racism.

They can be racism.

It's about ensuring the safety of patients
and protecting the healthcare system.

Is it dangerous to hire
an educated gerontologist?

- What if she doesn't speak Icelandic?
- Doesn't speak Icelandic. Þorgeir...

The body isn't in Icelandic.

Only 300,000 people speak Icelandic.

Really, nobody speaks Icelandic.

If the body had a language,
it might be Spanish or Russian... No!

It's in Latin.

Benedikt, think about precedent.

Opening the country
to all Ukrainian doctors?

- Þorgeir.
- We'd get thousands of applications,

and we can't discriminate.

You're encouraging thousands
of doctors to move here.

Listen.

The whole of the 20th century,


after studying a specialty.

In the last ten years... 40%.



Forty.

There's a shortage of manpower
in the healthcare system,

and I can fix it in the blink of an eye.

Let's just open up
and save the healthcare system.

Humanity. It pays.

Benedikt, how are you
dealing with the pressure?

- Fine.
- Do you sleep and...

Sure. Well, yeah...

Iceland doesn't sleep.

Yes, but...
You could try to sleep a little.

- Do not disturb the waking men.
- What?

"The waking men's minds wander widely,

new worlds open when night falls,

do not disturb the waking men
who stare into the darkness.

There they sit and see the whole world.

The spirit flies through
its unmeasured space,

the earth becomes transparent

and the darkness lights their way."

A poem by Davíð Stefánsson.

I see.

I have to go to a meeting.

I'll see you.

Good morning.

Hi.

What?

So...

The Ukrainian family...

Right, the one the prime minister
granted a visa without asking me?

Right. Is that a problem?

It's ridiculous.

- He told the media and...
- I don't care.

The prime minister can't take powers
from others in government.

- There are precedents...
- Aren't you a lawyer?

- Yes.
- Then you understand it's ridiculous.

Just so I understand...

You're not going to help
the prime minister?

Look.

Help or not, I have to follow the law.

Okay.

Can you tell me what's going on?

- Regarding?
- The Ukrainians.

I look like an idiot.
I told the media this morning

that the system couldn't allow
special treatment.

That's true, it can't.

Yes?

I'll speak to Benedikt.

It's like having a birthday party
in a palace.

- Isn't it nice?
- Yes.

The musician wants to practice.

What are you singing?

A Hungarian operetta
that Icelanders borrowed.

- Hey, can I talk to you?
- Yes.

What's going on?

Steinunn, I know it sounds ridiculous,
but...

Can you postpone the birthday party?

Why?

I visited Benedikt and...

I think we have to take care of him.

Do you really want to discuss this
on my birthday?

Yes.

He has difficulty with pressure and...

- I think this is not...
- Þorgeir.

I discussed the incident
in the UK with him.

He broke down while studying.
It's completely normal.

Steinunn, I was there. It wasn't normal.

He needs help.
I can't stand by and watch while...

I swore an oath to
help all my patients...

- Patients?
- Steinunn.

- This has nothing to do with you.
- He's bipolar.

Okay.

It wasn't an unanimous diagnosis, but...

I'm just saying...

we shouldn't increase
the pressure on him right now.

I know that you and Dad have

some opinions about Benedikt

and everything else,

but can I please celebrate
my birthday in peace?

This isn't about some shitty party!

Hi.

- Hi, honey.
- Everything's ready.

Ready?

I'm going to sing
and Benedikt is going to play.

My love, do you really want to go
to a party for adults?

Yes. I've been practicing.

I'll think you'll be very bored.

- No, I'm going to enjoy it.
- It will be fun.

Come with me.

- Hello, captain.
- Have you fixed things for the Ukrainians?

- Yes, we're doing it.
- Great.

It's great that we can do things
for people that need it.

- It's what we promised.
- Exactly.

- So, are we going to give them a visa?
- Yes.

Isn't it right to do so? I think so.

If that doesn't work, you can put
a provisional law in effect

- since you hold the president's power.
- Yes.

I'll talk to you later.

Hello.

- What did Svanhvít say?
- It doesn't work.

But I put an emphasis on it.

Svanhvít says no way.

She can't put this to bed
like the church thing.

Why didn't you tell me right away?

- I just arrived.
- Yes.

What do we do now?

- I don't know.
- We have to find a solution.

- Yes.
- Yes?

The only other solution
is calling parliament together

and approving a law
granting them citizenship.

No.

Are you ready?

Ta-da!

- A new bed.
- Mm-hm.

- Do I live here now?
- Mm-hm.

Want to try it?

Hi, Mom.

Are you coming home?

No, not right away. Mom's at work.

I have to finish a lot of things.

My grandmother bought
a bed for me today.

Really?

Can I talk to her?

- She wants to talk to you.
- Mm-hm.

Hello, my love.

Did you buy a bed for Sindri?

Yes. I found a great used bed
on the Internet.

The Internet? Used?

It's a great bed,

and he needs a good bed
since you're going to stay here.

I don't know if we're
going to stay with you.

You've been saying that for weeks.

- He needs a bed.
- Yes.

- Thank you, Mom.
- Okay.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Okay.

Guess what I just did.

- You were...
- I just rented an apartment.

- Really?
- Mm-hm.

- Great.
- Yes.

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

- Shouldn't we celebrate?
- Okay.

Excuse me.

Two glasses of champagne.

That's big news.

It'll be great.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

Hello!

I want coffee. I'll get coffee.

Bow.

Wow.

How is the first lady?

- Wasn't it queen?
- You've been demoted.

Joke. You're my queen.

I invited a few Ukrainians
to your birthday party.

- What?
- We have to give them a warm welcome.

Invite them to parties.

And do we have to use
my birthday party for that?

Maybe I should invite all
refugees in Iceland to the party?

- Right...
- Yes!

- We can afford it.
- Mm.

Both as a family and as a nation.

Listen, I've been thinking.

I'm kind of sick,

and I don't know if I have enough energy
for a party right now.

We should cancel it, or at least delay.

Come here.

Seriously.

Sit.

Can I ask you one thing?

Is it hormones?

- Yes.
- Yes.

I'm sure it's hormones.

- You have to rest.
- Mm.

Take care. You can't drink coffee.

Wow, you're getting a little baby bump.

A little belly-time.

We don't know if you're a boy or a girl,

but we suspect you're one of the two.
And I'm thinking about names and maybe

Friðbjörn, if it's a boy.

Or...

Kyrrþey, if it's a girl.
I've never heard of that.

I find it beautiful. It's unusual...

I think it's too much right now.

Please, don't answer. Can I talk?

- Þorgeir.
- No, it's Karen.

- How is my favorite Karen?
- Good.

- Is Steinunn there?
- Yes, okay...

- Wait. Bye.
- Bye, Benni.

Hello, my dear.

Hi, Steinunn. What are you going to wear
for the birthday party?

- A dress, I think.
- Great. Me, too.

- Okay, good night.
- Good night.

- Get some rest.
- I will. Bye, Steinunn.

Bye, my love...

He stands there on stage
and I hold the speech for him...

Are you joking?

And he just nailed it.

Nothing written down.

He's rather unpredictable, isn't he?

You know, no.

- Well, yes. He's just brilliant.
- Exactly.

- Sorry, we're closing.
- Yes. I'll pay.

You?

- Yes.
- Sure?

- You paid for the hot dog.
- I did.

Whoa.

Mm.

What's this?

It's your boss's birthday.

Was the state paying 70,000 for flowers?

Yes. Benedikt will fix it.

Are you coming to the birthday party?

- Steinunn's party?
- Yes.

No...

I don't think she invited any staff.

Oh.

Okay.

You can be my date.

Are we dating?

Aren't we on a date?

Who should be Minister of Industry?

Huh?

It would be best
if I could make you minister.

You know all about industry.

You know them so well.

Should we sing together?
Want to sing for the president?

- The Directorate of Foreigners called.
- What?

The police is deporting them
tomorrow morning.

Don't they respect the powers
of the presidency?

- Good morning.
- What's going on?

They're deporting Irina and Anatoly.

You can stop it.

Benedikt, are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine. What about you?

Anyway, they aren't fine.
And it's your ministry.

I know it's very tragic,

and I hate that they're deporting
good people, but I can't do anything.

I'm bound by law
and it's 4:30 in the morning.

- Can we discuss it tomorrow?
- No, we'll do it now.

You can't take this personally.
Let's do it professionally.

We have to make it personal.

Otherwise, we're just machines.

Every person matters.

Okay.

Put it on the parliament's schedule
for the next session.

Then they can become citizens
and come back home.

I have to...

Go back to sleep, then.

Come on.

- Good evening.
- Good morning.

Come on.

"The President of Iceland declares,

'The prime minister has told me
that it is urgent and necessary

to give Ukrainian family citizenship

to make sure it gets an opportunity
to become part of Icelandic society.

Therefore, I put in effect
this provisional law.

Article one. Irina Kosak,
born 1979 in Ukraine,

Anatoly Kosak, born 2010 in Ukraine,
will become citizens of Iceland.

Article two.
This law takes effect immediately.

The prime minister's office,
September 4th, 2020.'"

They are Icelandic citizens.
You have no standing here.

Congratulations!

Let's have some coffee.

Okay, I know it's all said and done,

but how did you do it?

I put a provisional law in effect as
prime minister and acting president.

- And who signed the law?
- I did.

- And?
- Just me.

Nobody else?

No.

Can I see the papers?

Have you sent it?

- I'm just sending it to the publisher.
- Don't do it. It's invalid.

- But I'm acting president.
- Yes.

You, the speaker, and the chief justice.

Together.

Two out of the three
of you have to sign.

You're breaking the constitution.

Of course not. Grímur will sign.

It's ill*gal to do it afterwards.

What? He won't tell.

We can trust Grímur.
I don't trust anyone more than him.

Don't you agree?

He's gone crazy.

Didn't you say that Svanhvít
would never agree to it?

Relax, boys.

Relax?

The law is invalid.

What do you mean?

Svanhvít didn't do anything.

He's using the power of the presidency,

but he can't do it without
two signatures. His own...

And mine or the chief justice's.
He's only got his own.

Does he really not know that?

He just realized.

He called me seven
times in three minutes.

- And what are you going to do?
- Look.

This is the situation.

The prime minister is isolated
and has broken the constitution.

This is your opportunity.

What do you mean?

Go to the media and tell the nation.

Why don't you do it?

Eggert...

You need it. He just fired you.

I agree with Grímur.

If you stop it...

Everybody will see you're
the leader the party needs.

Talk to Svanhvít...

And I'll prepare the party
for a new leader.

Yes.

Good morning.

Good morning, Minister.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Thank you for receiving me
on such short notice.

- No problem.
- Listen...

Laws about citizenship

for the Ukrainian doctor
and her son from this morning.

Right.

I need you to sign it.

The law you put in effect

without getting the go-ahead
from the speaker of parliament.

- And didn't present it to parliament.
- Yes.

Parliament isn't in session.

Everything is wrong about this.

The constitution was written
to stop this kind of thing.

But the constitution allows
provisional laws.

Yes, when it's necessary and urgent.

Humanity is necessary and urgent, Lárus.

Not as the law sees it.

Don't we have to review the law, then?

The concept?

If we don't have space for humanity
in this bureaucratic monster...

Don't we need new ways to run things?

I can't help you.

Lárus, I've met them.

They are good people.
She is a very intelligent doctor.

He's like a young Viking chieftain.

They are good citizens.

Mm-hm.

He might be the next Nobel Laureate.

We need people like that.

They're going to buy milk,
cream, and so on.

They're going to lift society.

We can't let a detail
like a signature stop us.

We have to work together.

Please...

Sign. I'm just working for justice.

So am I.

But there's no justice
in breaking the law when it suits you.

Lárus.

Hrefna, it didn't work.

The police are taking
them to the airport.

They have to follow the law.

- We have to do something.
- Did you call Grímur?

- Yes, but he doesn't answer.
- I'll try.

Do that! Why haven't you done that?

I...

This is the 3:00 news.

The prime minister has put
a provisional law in effect

granting citizenship
to a Ukrainian family,

going against the decision
of the Directorate of Foreigners.

We have Eggert Einarsson,
member of parliament, here with us.

You state that the law is invalid. Why?

Yes, this is unprecedented
in Icelandic history.

The prime minister made a law on
his own, in the name of the president.

He broke the constitution.

I notified the
Directorate of Foreigners,

and it reacted in accordance
with the valid law.

Then we have to wonder if we want
a prime minister who breaks laws.

Wait, are you saying

that the prime minister
is guilty of a crime?

Yes. I'm saying that.

Eggert, you were just fired from
the government. Aren't you biased?

That doesn't matter.

What matters is that there is one person

who tried to be above the system.

We can't run a country like that.

The law is invalid...

And the Directorate of Foreigners
can't act according to it.

- Eggert Einarsson, thank you.
- Thanks.

On to the next matter,

the treaty of the leadership
of the European Union

on who should be appointed the head
of the EU for the next five years

has left many of the members
of the European parliament with...

Are you here?

Benedikt called you, like,
a hundred times.

I was waiting for you.

Let's not make it personal.
It's about the party.

- We all look like idiots.
- You don't understand a thing.

I do.

- You're getting revenge.
- No.

Right now there is a coup
going on in the party.

Eggert is going to overthrow Benedikt
and take over.

No sh*t.

I told him the law was invalid
and sent him to the media.

Grímur...

- This is lousy...
- Give it to me.

We publish this...

I tell the nation that the law
was valid the whole time.

- So Eggert's gone.
- I don't understand this.

It was you that...

I just got rid of Eggert
and saved you two.

Saved us?

I'm doing it for you
because you're in a bad position.

- I am?
- I think Benedikt's time is up.

I...

I'm giving you time to react.

Get out ahead of him.

Let's just deal with
this mess right now.

Then everything will calm down.

Where is he?

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

When am I going to sing?

- We're waiting for Benedikt.
- Should I call him?

- No, listen. He'll come soon.
- Okay.

Come on. I'm looking forward
to hearing you sing.

Sorry.

Thank you.

- Where do we go?
- Upstairs.

- Enjoy the flight.
- Thank you.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Irina.

Sorry.

I've got good news.

You're Icelandic citizens.

No, no. Not again.

What do you mean?

I can't handle any more disappointment.

It's all clear now.

Again and again.

You know, it's so difficult.

It's very bad joke.

This soulless system
makes trouble for everyone...

Benedikt...

Please.

I watched the news all day...

And now I know we are not
going to be Icelanders.

- You are.
- No.

No, Benedikt.

I understand.

You want to help.

And I understand...

You can't do it.

So, please, it's so difficult for us.

We are not toys, you know.

We are human.

Listen.

This is Hallgrímur.
He's the speaker of parliament.

He signed the laws with me.

They're valid. You're
supposed to be here.

Even though I have to turn
everything upside down.

You are Icelandic.

Yes.

Okay, "Ási has a lock."

Wasn't I going to pick you up
at the office?

Sorry, I was delayed.

Okay. I'm outside.

Shouldn't we meet at the party?

- Okay, I'll see you there.
- Okay, bye.

Here is the prime minister.

Now we have two more Icelanders.

Come on.

Here is Hallgrímur Tómasson.

Is it true they have
Icelandic citizenship?

I can only tell you the law
was valid the whole time.

The nation witnessed a very ugly
political game by Eggert Einarsson.

Do you mean Eggert was lying?

Yes. And this innocent family
became a victim of his lies.

I signed the laws with pride last night

because it's important to treat
everyone well,

both Icelanders and foreigners.

Thank you.

Thank you.

- Grímur.
- Yes.

- Thank you.
- No problem.

I knew it. You're in the right place.

- What?
- As speaker.

You're a great speaker.

I'm so happy. My idea was brilliant.

I knew you'd be great.

Yes, you knew it.

- Hi. Congratulations.
- Thank you.

I didn't know I invited the newsroom.

No. I'm with Hrefna.

- She's not here either.
- No, she's on her way.

He's here!

Good evening. Welcome!

- Hi, my darling.
- Benedikt!

My love.

Sorry I'm late.

I want to introduce you to...

Brand-new citizens.

Anatoly and Irina.

Hello.

- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.

I'm sorry.

It was terrible.

- What?
- I didn't have a gift.

Yes, I had flowers I bought
at a gas station.

But she looked like
I was giving her slime.

Sorry.

It's not every day

the queen turns 40 years old...

And I want to quote Hannes Hafstein,
the first minister of Iceland,

he had this shack built.

And he said... Yes.

"From a crystal glass,
I drank golden wine.

And joy kissed my lips,

in a daring game my soul danced

like a half-naked woman."

Cheers.

Or as we say in Ukraine...

Cheers.

Hello.

Hi.

You're always writing
about politics, right?

Yes, there's always something.

Somebody has to keep an eye on you.

If you want a story that matters,
I would look into Benedikt.

No.

The law states that ministers
must be of sound mind.

What?

It could be interesting to check
if he has a story.

Or his family.

It's inherited.

- Is everything okay?
- Mm.

Please, please.

If there is someone

who Steinunn loves more than me,
then it is this

little fairy, this jewel,

a dream, a cutie. Karen!

She's going to

sing something for us.

What are you going to sing?

I'm Home. Happy birthday, Steinunn.

- Are you ready?
- Yes.

Okay.

And everybody sing!

What are you doing?

This can't go on.

What?

I know you're under a lot of pressure,

but you've stopped listening
to everything I say.

Steinunn.

I've done everything I can
to make this party perfect.

I bought flowers for tens of thousands,
I took a day off,

- I used the official residence...
- You destroyed my birthday.

You humiliated my niece.

Are you kidding? For real?

I was ashamed of you.

This is how you thank me?

If something was wrong,
it was your family.

They can't sing...

And never have any fun.

Conservative trash!