02x05 - Episode 5

[bunniefuu]

You kicked me out.

Benedikt got stuck with a ministry
where he has no routine.

Minister for Finance. Are we
postponing the new psychiatric ward?

Are you sacrificing a psychiatric
ward for a bunch of sheep?

This is the Icelandic lamb,

raised free in the mountains.

These damn sheep have no respect
for anything. -Come on, let them be.

I think there's good money
to be made here.

The paper isn't for sale.

I just think it's a grave matter,

not having enough time
for your child.

That's the pot calling
the kettle black, dad.

The global market price of sheep
meat is considerably lower than

production costs in Iceland.

So, the costs of raising a sheep
in Iceland are higher

than what you can sell
it for abroad?

So, you'll buy all the meat?
- Yes.

And you'll get the
psychiatric ward.

And you'll get all that other stuff
that was going to get postponed.

Let's play for it.

If you take part in this,

Icelandic farmers will remember it
in the next election.

There's one more thing
I need from you.

Do you want me to appoint
Eggert Einarsson

as the ambassador for Norway?

It's just Svanhvit.
She's undermining you.

I'm sorry for asking,
but I need to know.

Are you taking your meds?

What does that have to do
with any of this?

Sigridur.

Sigridur Helga.
- Right.

Thanks for today.
- You're welcome.

So.

How important is this trip?

Some things can be done online.
But not this.

So, this meeting is
important, is it?

Some meetings are less
about discussing economics

and more about networking.

But don't we have ambassadors whose
job it is to make these connections?

Yes, but once a year, all the
Nordic ministers attend a dinner,

and get to know each other.

It's what diplomacy is all about.

Yes.

I'm just worried about the routine.

I get that the routine is important,
but so is this meeting.

It's just a short flight
to the Faroe Islands.

There's no reason this should have
any real effect on the routine.

I think you'll actually
have some fun.

Fun is entirely overrated.

Hi, come on in.

Would you like a drink?

Is this the Finance Minister's
standard welcome for invitees?

No.

Only those who matter.

Cheers.
- Cheers.

So, what's on your mind?

We're proposing a bill tomorrow.

Okay.

It involves changes
to the Cabinet of Iceland.

And was it vital
that we discuss that tonight?

Yes.

I was wondering if you
might want to present it?

Okay.

What kind of changes
are we talking about?

That those who suffer
from serious mental illnesses

are prohibited from
being a minister.

Are you insane?

No.

I'm quite sane.

No, thanks.

When Benedikt was sick,
I treated him badly.

It might be the worst thing
I've ever done.

This bill is an important failsafe
for national democracy.

Svanhvit.

This bill is about
getting rid of Benedikt.

That's all this is.
Full stop.

How long is the flight
to the Faroe Islands?

Fifteen minutes?
- Roughly.

Okay.

For the glory of Iceland.
Let's do this.

So. -Isn't it customary
to bring gifts to these things?

The ministry said the consul
would sort that out. -Okay.

Just the classics, Icelandic
brennivin. -Icelandic brennivin?

No thanks, not on my watch.

I've got it.

Icelandic sweets.
Icelandic liquorice.

Isn't that Danish liquorice?

The only Danish thing about
this liquorice is the name.

Have you tasted Danish liquorice?
It's disgusting.

Twelve bags.
- Twelve?

Could I please have
one flat white...

Honourable speaker.

After my informal assessment
of the Icelandic government

it has come to my attention

that there are no protocols
in place for what to do

if a minister,

a top government official,

becomes seriously mentally
ill while in office.

Such rules already apply
to all other officials.

We are all familiar with Article 6

of the Government Employees Act.

It is quite peculiar

that the same rules
don't apply to ministers.

Here he is.

Welcome to the Faroe Islands.

Good morning.
- This is such an honour.

I'm a big fan.
- I'm Porgeir.

Thank you.
- Please.

Nice to meet you.
It's good to be able to speak.

Yes, absolutely.
How was the flight?

Very nice.

We have been here and
reviewed these.

This isn't the first time
we've been over this

and I assume it won't be the last.

The results fluctuate..

But you'll speak up.
Won't you?

I'd be putting myself
and my position at risk.

I think you owe me that.

You cost me my job as a minister.
Not once, but twice.

And thanks to me you
weren't charged with treason.

The first round of discussion
is almost over.

I don't think many want
to comment on this bill.

It'll be sent to the Constitutional
and Supervisory Committee then.

Yes.
It's Svanhvit.

Can we get this in front
of a different committee?

That's just how
it's going to have to be.

Morning.
- Hello.

So, Steinunn.

It would probably be best if people
like us just stayed home,

instead of breathing down
Parliament's neck.

Isn't it bedtime?

How about you come visit grandpa?

Mom can nap while we play.

We're busy.

We're busy.

Welcome to the Faroe Islands.

Good morning.
- Good morning.

I insisted that we squeeze
this visit into your schedule.

Right.
- Do you ride, Benedikt?

I think horses are beautiful
from afar. -Sure.

Is all of this yours?

This project is a collaboration

between the Ministry of Food,
Agriculture and Fisheries,

Business Iceland
and Horses of Iceland.

Won't you come on in?
- We'd love to.

Right this way.

I would rather spend my days
here than at work, that's for sure.

There, there.

Were these stables built
just for you?

No, not at all.
This is just a part of the job.

Yes, it is.

Instead of inviting
people to dinner,

we go for a ride.

But what people?
- Just, you know,

important people that
we need to get to know.

In the Faroe Islands?
Yes, this one is Glaeda.

Yes.

You're so beautiful.
Yes, you are.

So.

Honourable speaker.

Let's just tell it like it is.

I think most of us know
what this is really about.

Which is why I think three readings
of this bill are unnecessary.

Speak plainly.

I would like to remind members of
Parliament not to interrupt others.

Fine.

This is about a particular man
and his place in politics.

I think we should put it
to an immediate vote

to see if Parliament wishes
to continue down this road.

The honourable member of Parliament
has requested a vote.

As per Article 39

there will be a vote

to decide if the bill passes
the first reading.

That concludes the vote.

The results are as follows.
Twenty-four voted yes.

Eleven said no.
Twenty-seven abstained.

So, the bill will pass
to the second reading.

We can leave after this.

Won't we have to mingle a bit?

This whole thing is messing up
your routine.

Yes, but this is my job
and I want to do it well.

Then there's that bill in Iceland.

I'm worried it'll affect you
while you're here.

It doesn't affect me.

It says nothing about my capabilities
as a person or a government official.

Try to have a little fun.

Cheers.
- Cheers.

Cheers.
- Cheers.

Put your glass on your head.

My fellow citizens.
- Fellow citizens.

Saved by the bell.
My wife is calling. -No.

Sorry, guys. It's my wife.
- What's going on?

I think most of the party
is against us. -Against us?

This is a personal attack on you.
- No, it's not.

Isn't this just a standard
legal failsafe

for when the country's top
government officials fall ill?

So a protocol exists
for their recovery break.

And this just happens to come up now?
Why do you think that is?

Well, maybe because the head of
the government recently got sick.

At the time, it would have been
great to have something...

Benedikt, listen to me.
If this bill is passed,

it'll be used against you.

I just don't agree with you.
I'm not sick.

I'm taking my meds,
I'm perfectly healthy.

Is someone else there?

Good to see you.
- Hi.

I wish you two were here with me!

We're going to call some members
of Parliament to gauge their stance.

Grimur agrees with me.

Yes, but I don't agree
with you two.

But I'm glad to see that you're
working on this together.

I need to get back to the party.

Okay.

Speak soon.
- Okay.

Bye.

Porgeir, let's get
you to your room.

Porgeir, please let me help you.

Come on.
You're not the boss of me.

She hasn't made up her mind.

This was clearly planned.

She tells me the second reading
is scheduled for tomorrow.

They're bulldozing
the bill through.

We need to ask
other parties for help.

The Social Democrats
would never support Benedikt.

Maybe the Pirate Party
but there are so few of them.

We need the Progressive Party.

Finnbogi doesn't want
to get rid of Benedikt.

This damned Icelandic sheep.

Christ.

I don't want to do
this crap anymore.

What for?

What is this?
What's going on?

What?
What's happened?

A serious as*ault
occurred last night.

What does that have to do with us?

We need you to come to
the station for questioning.

You have no authority to question
any of these people.

This is a serious matter. The victim
is a well-known g*y rights activist.

Poor him.
But these are Nordic ministers.

They have diplomatic immunity,
damnit.

And I can tell you that we had

absolutely nothing to do
with that crap downtown.

I'm sorry. -Damn right you are.
Call the Chief of Police.

Thank you.

Benedikt, wait.

What are you doing? -I don't
understand what's going on here.

A g*y rights activist gets assaulted
and nobody seems to care.

Of course we'll help the police.
- This is your very first meeting.

Could you please not cause a scene?
- A scene?

Do you see Denmark's discomfort
if their police questioned us?

I think Denmark will get over it.
- Benedikt.

If you don't behave,
I'll have to tell them you're sick.

Do what you must.
I'm going with them.

That was the Icelandic Minister
for Foreign Affairs,

who's now heading
into the police station.

Good morning.

An honour to meet you.
I’m the Chief.

The Chief?
- Yes, the Chief of the Police.

Benedikt, let's go.

The Chief of Police?
More like the Chief Thug.

Excuse me, Porgeir. Why don't you
just go tell someone I'm sick?

That was the Icelandic Minister
for Foreign Affairs,

as he exits the police station.

Did you see this?

Unbelievable.

He had to be compensated
for his troubles.

The committee just turned
in their report. -And?

The committee called in
experts in public administration

who discussed the importance
of establishing clear protocols

for when the country's top officials
suffer from mental illnesses.

And they support the proposal?
- Yes.

We have to talk Finnbogi
out of this.

I'll take care of it.

I want you to set up a meeting
with all the ministers.

I want us to waive our immunity

and let the police question
us like everyone else.

You'll upset everyone.

Fine, then I'll upset everyone.

Denmark already shut it down.
And they're right to do it.

They are not allowed
to investigate us.

It's an important matter of principle
in transnational communication.

I think it's ridiculous
and I refuse to take part in this.

I'm sorry, Benedikt,
but if you don't leave this alone...

They're always looking
over my shoulder.

Every day, they encourage me
to say that you're getting sick.

Who are these people?
- All kinds of people.

Benedikt, you're making it really
hard for me to stand by you.

Summon the ministers.

No.

Fine, I'll do it myself.

Are you up for this?

Up for this?

Aren't we just playing squash?

You're so young and fit.

What does the party think
of this bill? -What's that?

What does your party
think of this bill?

I'm here to play,
not talk about work. Let's go.

Are you going to let your party
back this bill? He's your friend.

I hate this.

I will sit by, but my party
has made up its mind.

Just talk to them.

Just six weeks ago, Benedikt
came after the sheep farmers.

How do you think
that makes my people feel?

Are we going to let a few sheep
be the deciding factor here?

History speaks for itself.

In Icelandic politics, whoever dares
attack the sheep is doomed.

Finnbogi, they're just sheep!

The Progressive Party
will not be swayed.

Isn't there a parliamentary party
meeting later today?

There's your chance.

I have already tried to talk to them.
- Let's focus on the game.

Are you okay?

What happened?

What happened?

I don't know.

I see.
It's your Achilles heel.

What?
- Your Achilles heel.

My Achilles heel?
- Could we get some help?

Can you help me get
him out of here?

Hi, what happened?

I was just playing with Finnbogi...

And then,

my tendon snapped.

I might not be in the same
shape as I was ten years ago.

How long will you have
to stay here?

I've got surgery in a few hours.

What about the parliamentary party
meeting? -I can't go in this state.

But then we'll have no-one
to advocate on our behalf.

Right.

Okay.

Okay. We'll speak later.
- Steinunn?

Steinunn?

Damnit.

Porgeir.
- Hi, Benedikt.

Listen to me.
- Okay.

We need to..

Shut the hell up.

Understand?
- Excuse me?

Let's go before this
gets out of hand.

Excuse me, I just need
to have a word with him.

Will you please listen to me?
- 201.

Can you please just stop?

Look.

You're all saying that

I might be pushed out of office
in the next few days.

My final official task won't be
to sit around and do nothing

while an innocent man is
assaulted because of his sexuality.

Okay, then I quit.

Benedikt, if you do this,
I hereby resign.

Okay.
Fine, resign.

I assaulted him.

I don't find that funny.
- Me neither.

What?

You assaulted him?

Did you attack someone
because he was g*y? -Yes, no!

First I kissed him.
Then I beat him up.

What happened?

I just got really drunk.

That excuse is simply
not good enough.

Have you ever felt something
within you is just broken?

All tangled up or defective?

So, you just suppress it,

you smile and carry on
doing what needs to be done.

Porgeir.

I have a mental illness.
Of course I know how that feels.

For years,
I've felt as if I might just snap.

And yesterday, walking back to
the hotel, I met a g*y man.

You could tell that he was g*y.

I've often wondered,
do I want to kiss a man?

But I've always just suppressed it.

But yesterday, I kissed him.

Then he kissed me back,
I panicked and I attacked him,

and I ran away.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I felt ashamed.
- Ashamed?

Ashamed of attacking or kissing?
Because one is more serious!

My name can't end up in
some Faroese court documents.

My life would be over.

My medical and political career.
It would be the end of my marriage.

Please.

Benedikt.

Can you please leave
this one thing alone?

f*ck.

Benedikt.

f*ck.

My...

dear Nordic friends.

I'm very sorry to say that

due to some

unforeseen circumstances,
I have to leave the meeting and

go back home to Iceland.

Hello. -I'm attending this meeting
on Benedikt's behalf.

This is only for elected members
of the party.

His substitute can't make it.

That's a shame
but it changes nothing.

Steinunn, let's not get in the way
of a good meeting. Let's just leave.

Why are you so stressed?

Why aren't you at home,
taking care of yourself?

This bill will never pass.

It's as good as passed.

What are you doing here?

I postponed the surgery.

Everyone's high on oxy these
days anyway, right?

Hello?

This is not an attack
against one man.

Implementing qualification
regulations is normal,

requiring ministers
to be of sound mind

while working such a demanding job.

If we pass this bill tomorrow,

we make prejudice
a cold hard fact in our system.

That is simply unacceptable.

The party that I signed up for
twenty years ago wouldn't do that.

Our strength lies in
how different people come together

to form one voice based
on our common values.

The individual's freedom
to be who they truly are

and use their talents
to improve society.

Benedikt.

Any last comment on the police
investigation here in Torshavn?

No. I just want to say it's been
wonderful to visit the Faroe Islands

and to meet its lovely people.

Thank you.

No matter what the socialists say
this is a beautiful policy.

But these people...

What's really going on is that
these fine people right here

are involved in a barefaced
assassination attempt on our chairman

because they don't trust that the
foundational democracy of our party

will secure them the reins of
government at the National Assembly.

I'm asking you all
not to participate in this.

If you really want to talk about
one man, let's do that then.

His first official trip abroad.

And what happened?

We know that Denmark has fled.

The Faroese politicians that I know

are so angry
about how the meeting went

that they might demand
an independence referendum.

It's a serious matter

if the people

who are in charge of this country,
of this society,

suffer from mental illnesses.

We need to be able
to trust these people.

Porgeir, once upon a time,
there was a king.

He ruled in a small country where
the water well became poisoned.

All those who drank from the well
lost their minds,

except for the king,
who had his own private water well.

Eventually,
the people became convinced

that he was the mad one.

Forbid them to drink water?

Porgeir, who in this nation
is the mad one?

The subjects.

Are they?

Are you sure it isn't the king?

He no longer fits inside the box.

I often think of this king.

It's hard to be different
than everyone around you.

Then one day,

he went to the well of the people

and drank.

Today, I have become this king.

I'll do whatever it takes
to protect me and mine.

I keep silent about
human rights violations.

I'll lie if I have to.

I'm sorry, Benedikt.

This situation is hopeless.

I'm so sorry.

You need to seek professional help
for your issues.

That concludes the vote for the
bill proposed by Eggert Einarsson

regarding changes
to the Cabinet of Iceland.

The results are as follows.
Twenty-five said yes.

Nineteen said no.
Eighteen abstained.

And so, the bill has been passed.

I think we need to
face the fact that

Benedikt won't be the leader
of this party for much longer.

It isn't over until it's over.

It's over for him.

Come in, please.

Welcome, Steinunn.
- Thank you for meeting with me.