02x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Dear Icelanders.
I've got bipolar disorder.

You have to see a doctor.

Benedikt is in mortal danger.

Do you know how your mother died?
-I can't listen to anymore.

She was sick.
She was bipolar.

She committed suicide.

We're not plotting treason.

The man is insane.

We're doing Benedikt a favour.
-By pushing him out?

So you can take over?
-We.

You're asking me to take
the most sacred right,

his autonomy,
away from my son.

I found him.
-Who will replace Benedikt?

He'll be back soon.

I just want to warn you
if you're thinking about Grimur.

He took part in the
autonomy thing.

This is treason.

I just wanted to let you know
I have papers from Benedikt

declaring that I will take
over as prime minister.

...he'll ask the president to make
me prime minister temporarily.

I'm resigning.

I will seek treatment

and ask the president
to accept my resignation.

It's been a privilege
to be your prime minister.

Thank you.

Stop it!

Will you stop that!
Stop!

Stop!

Stop it I say!

What the hell is going on here?

I'm so sorry.
Here you go.

I have had just about
enough of you.

The paper keeps being
delivered late or not at all.

And then there's this kind
of nonsense.

I'm sorry.

Stop it!

Morning.
-Morning.

Good morning.

What are you doing?

Walking.

Around the house?

Yes.

Why?

Doctor's orders.

course.

Is it depression?

Yeah, I have to...

I have to walk
a thousand steps a day.

Yes.

Why don't you just walk with me?

These are my thousand steps.

And I'm serving a purpose too.

What do you say

Yes.

What's currently going on
in your head,

isn't true.

Sorry, I...

I thought you were gone.

Steinunn.

Maybe you should just leave.

You're stuck with me.

found you a doctor, and...

so for now,
you'll take the medication.

I don't want to take the meds.

You will take the meds.

There's no diagnosis yet.

We know exactly
what's going on.

I have taken these meds before.

When?

When I was hospitalized.

Listen to me.

Are you planning on having
a psychosis episode

during the birth of our child?

Benedikt has written a letter,

stating that I should step in as
prime minister in his absence.

It remains to be seen if the
government can get through this.

I'll need to discuss that
with my staff.

So, what do you say

Will you announce it right away?

No.

I have it in writing.
Your job here is just to sign it.

Oh, really?

I appreciate you schooling me in our
country's administrative structure.

But there are two copies of
this document in circulation.

The president can't take sides,

not when it comes to
internal party turmoil.

And who has the other copy?

Is the government going to fall?
-No.

I don't think that's
going to happen.

But this isn't the
time for politics.

The important thing is to help
Benedikt with his recovery,

I think we can all agree on that.

Thank you.
-Steinunn.

According to Hallgrimur Tomasson,
the government is not about to fall.

How is everyone doing?

Do we have a plan?

Didn't you just say on live TV that
this isn't the time for politics?

That's just an expression.

Wouldn't you rather discuss
this ludicrous treason charge?

What makes you think you'd be
involved in that conversation?

My husband still has
the government formation mandate.

He resigned.
-As minister.

Not as chairman.

He could return the mandate.

The party has
a forty-three percent lead.

What would it be if we'd
call for a general election?

Just a moment.

We must follow
parliamentary procedures.

This isn't a Steinunn Kvaran
dictatorship.

We must follow the constitution
and constitutional practices.

And he is the chairman.

Don't be ridiculous. -You are suing
your daughter for treason.

I am saving the party, solving
the mess that you got us into.

For once, screw the party.
My husband is sick.

What are you doing? -I told you
he wasn't the man for you.

He's a headcase.

Don't raise a child with this man.
-What is wrong with you?

You are sentencing yourself
to a life as a caregiver.

This is not what you want.

Nice move with the treason charge.

Push them aside.

Spruce up the party.
Clear the board.

But it would be nice
to be involved next time.

Okay.
Alright.

The chief of police will open
an investigation tomorrow.

Yes.
Into Steinunn and Benedikt?

And you.

What?

Withdraw this charge immediately.
-Or else?

Do you want a relationship
with your grandchild? -Calm down.

We only did this to make room for
changes. -I can promise you this.

We'll form a government
without any of you.

Steinunn. Right now, you don't
have any way of doing that.

Okay.

We need to talk to Finnbogi.
-Yes.

Steinunn.

we stick together

then Benedikt and I are still the
unequivocal leaders of the party.

We can do it tonight or tomorrow.

If anyone betrayed us,
it was you.

I understand your point of view

but we need to look at the
situation as it currently stands.

Steinunn.

How did it go?

We need to commence
government formation negotiations.

I will help you,
we'll form a government

and then you'll go on sick leave.

And then we'll have a baby.

Are you coming

Do you have any idea
what time it is?

It's about three hundred
and seventy-two steps.

Well, hello there.
Benedikt.

It obviously matters
who delivers the paper.

Come along, Benedikt.
-Get well soon.

Good evening.

Yes, this is
Steinunn Kvaran speaking.

Thank you for taking
my call at this hour.

Yes, that's no problem at all.

How is Benedikt?
-He's doing great.

I wanted to inform the president
that since Benedikt believes

that the government formation
mandate is still his,

he will be forming a new government.
-Is that so?

I would love to hear it
directly from him.

Could he come
to the presidential home?

He's not in a condition
to drive around much.

I understand.

In that case,

wouldn't it be better
if the president just came to him?

Like the mountain to Mohammed?

Darling, the president is here.

You need to speak with her.

Can you talk to her?
You have to talk to her. -Yes.

Yes.

Where is Benedikt?

He's just resting.

It's important that he does.

I could come back later.

No, I can just convey
what Benedikt wanted to say.

The government has fallen,

but Benedikt wishes
to keep the mandate...

I'm going to stop you right there.

Benedikt is not here.

If he is not well enough
to meet the president

he is not fit enough
to form a government.

Okay, but keep in mind

that this is the twenty-first
century

and if you shun Benedikt,

you're saying that people who
struggle with mental illnesses

shouldn't hold jobs in politics
or the community as a whole.

That is not a messages the president
wants to be associated with?

Or is it?

Madam President, what took
place between the two of you?

Benedikt Rikhardsson has handed over
the government formation mandate.

The president will now take time
to deliberate

to decide who should
be given the mandate,

or if it is appropriate
to call for a general election.

Thank you.

Are you medicated?

Not anymore.

I know it can seem hopeless.
But then suddenly,

there's this moment.

I call it:
The unremarkable miracle.

But that's exactly what it is.

Suddenly, for four seconds,

you realize that you're not
thinking about your depression.

It's completely unremarkable
but it's still a miracle.

That's when you realize,
there is a possibility.

Then,

it happens again,
for a little longer. And again.

And that's the recovery.

You'll have your ups
and downs, of course,

but gradually

you'll have more ups
than downs.

That's it.

More ups.

Good morning.
-Hello, you two.

Would you like some
coffee and pancakes?

No, thanks.
-Yes, please, most definitely.

Be our guests.
Please come in.

Finnbogi.
-Hello.

Isn't it odd, that neither chairman
nor vice are present today?

The party stands with Svanhvit.

We're looking to
cooperate with your party.

Coffee?
-Yes, please.

You need to clean yourself up.

Let's back up a bit.

No, if you want to survive this,
you’ll do as I say.

I thought we...

I presume you've just been summoned
to be interrogated by the police.

Yes. A narrative has taken root,
where we are the villains.

Whether we like it or not
we're in this together.

You'll do exactly as I say
or you're on your own.

Hallgrimur Tomasson, member of the
Independent Party. Welcome.

Thank you.

You've kept quiet
for the last 24 hours.

Yes, I felt that was appropriate,
this is a sensitive situation.

But now I feel it is
right to step forward.

I see.
Why?

I have been accused of treason.

Let's not beat around the bush,

this is an attempt to seize
control of the party

by taking advantage
of Benedikt's illness.

So there is no truth
to this treason claim?

To call me treasonous

because I helped keep
a sick man in office is ridiculous.

I was the only one
who tried to push him out.

Our system is flawed, it doesn't have
any procedures about what to do

when a minister is diagnosed
with a mental illness.

But as you can confirm,
because we’ve discussed it,

I filed a motion to deprive
Benedikt of his autonomy

as soon as I learned
about his condition.

This is the hardest thing
I've ever done.

But I acted out of duty.

This is the system's only solution
in such situations.

This is exactly what one
is supposed to do.

So where does this treason claim
stem from?

This is just ugly inter
party politics, nothing more.

What you must understand is...

Is it true about
the autonomy deprivation?

Yes.

He was a part of
an autonomy deprivation case.

But it wasn't for a noble cause.

But the party supports
this group right here.

I have to take this.

Hello? -Hello, Finnbogi.
This is Steinunn Kvaran.

Can you speak? -I'm in a meeting
at the Independent Party hall.

I see.

No, but it's fine,
how are you holding up

Well, I'm okay, I guess.

Of course.
What about him ?

He's not good.

He talks a lot about seeing you.

Me? -Yes, Benedikt has always
looked up to you.

He doesn't just think of you
as a good politician,

but a good friend too.

And in this situation,

he could really use
some good friends.

Do you think that...

No, you are probably busy.

Well...

Okay, hang on.

I have to go.
-What?

Finish without me.
Continue.

Is it proper conduct to run off
in the middle of a negotiation?

No, but this is important.

I'm on my way,
I will see you soon.

Hi.

So, listen.

was talking to Finnbogi.
-I don't live here.

What do you mean?
-What am I doing here?

What's up with this couch?
And this house?

What's up with this house?

Our home?
-Our home?

This is a soulless concrete hovel.

I'm a country boy,
I have never lived like this.

You need to talk to Finnbogi.

Hi, there.
Thanks for coming.

Please come in.

Hello, my friend,
how are you doing?

Yes, dumb question.

I'm sure there are a lot of people
waiting for your return to politics.

Even delivering papers
is a struggle.

Hey, listen.

We could help you.

Of course.

What?

It's good to see
you go out for walks.

Don't you feel a bit better?

Yes.

I need to get something to eat.

Yes, I'm going to keep going.

Can you make me some toast?

What do you want on your toast?

Just whatever.

Anchovies?

Maybe just butter and cheese?

We don't have butter and cheese.

Bon appetit.

Answer it.

Yes, Finnbogi.

Yes, hello.

Yes, I am up for the task.

Yes. I will.

Goodbye.

Well?

Well.

Who was that?
-Nobody.

Finnbogi Solveig Carlsson,
talk to me.

Was that the president?

I don't know.

Am I going to be Mrs. Prime Minister?
-Don't be so vain.

Everything is vanity.
-No, Oskar.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I would like to give you
some advice, Finnbogi.

I hope you will allow me to.
-Yes, of course.

Finnbogi, will you become
Prime Minister?

There is nothing that says
that a mentally ill person

can't sit in a minister's chair.

The people of this country
voted for Benedikt mere months ago.

If I were you...
I wouldn't want to be the one

to decide that he is prohibited
from returning to politics.

Benedikt?

Yes, Steinunn here.

Yes, hello, Finnbogi.

I'll take a message.

Yes, tomorrow.

It's probably best to
involve Grimur as well.

Yes, he is looking forward to it.

I'll send your regards, thank you.

The government formation
negotiations. We're doing this.

Okay.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Hi.
-Wait...

What is that?

What?

Are we in direct competition?

No.

Wait a minute. -No, I'm not going
to assist my competitor.

Isn't that the core value
of your party?

Hey.

Are you alright?
Are you okay?

I can't do it..

What's going on?

Are you delivering newspapers?
-I can't do it.

Of course you can.

We'll just take it
one step at a time.

We can't let it be known that we
are unable to deliver newspapers.

Hey.

I can't.
Let's do it.

I can't... -Come on.

Benedikt, come on.
-I can't.

Can you please try a little.

We're talking about
walking down one street.

One g*dd*mn street.
This is nonsense!

I can't...

Okay.

Hey.

Okay.

Okay, okay.

Hey.
Okay.

You go inside
and I'll take care of this.

Yes... -Okay?

Okay, sounds good?

I'll take care of this.

Come inside..

Go inside!

Are you...?

What are you doing?

What does it look like?
-Where is...

Did the darkness
swallow him completely?

Please forgive me.

We'll take care of the papers
tomorrow, won't we?

I shouldn't be doing this.
-Yes,

you should.

It's great for you.

The routine, the exercise,

and the companionship.

I'm just so tired.

I'm trying.

I know.

No matter what people think.

You are battling trolls.

The trolls in the stories
are just metaphors for depression.

Nobody ever saw them.

They disappeared as soon
as someone mentioned their names.

And the sun turned them to stone.

But sometimes
the sun just isn't there.

We're in this together.

The sun will return.

We're conversing with
the Progressive Party.

Our party needs to fall in line.

Benedikt is going on leave.

But when he recovers,
he's back on the board.

you want to be involved
in this negotiation

the chief of police should
make an immediate statement,

stating that there is no suspicion
of treason within the party.

That's all.
-Good.

Maybe you should just leave.

She's stuck with me.

Benedikt, I'm trying to
help you get better.

They're all dead.

Who?

The notes.

Come here..

This is Aki Larusson,

He is the head
of the psychiatric ward.

Finally.

Finally?
Why do you say that?

I finally got to see
a psychiatrist.

Ah, yes, you're lucky.

Most people have to wait
months for a session

but you are Steinunn's husband
and Steinunn is my old friend.

And is that normal?

What? -Is it normal to need to be
part of a clique to see a doctor?

No.

But that's how it is.

Well, alright, listen.

Here are the meds
that you need.

This is lithium.

This is what we call Lamictal

and it is the medicine
you will take indefinitely.

These will stabilize you.

This one is Olanzapine.

This is an emergency drug
which resets you.

Just like that.

You'll only take this when
experiencing ups or downs.

If that happens, your judgment
will be severely compromised.

Which is why it's so important
that you listen to Steinunn

when she tells you
to take this medicine.

Okay.

I don't want to be medicated.

What are you doing?

What do you mean?

You must realize that this
meeting between Benedikt and I

is strictly confidential.

So I think you should just
go attend to your own matters.

Maybe take a nice bath?

A steaming bubble bath.

Yes.

Listen.

You are going to take
this medicine.

What about cognitive behavioral
therapy?

That's just like a massage for
treating a compound fracture.

I don't want to be
numbed by medicine.

Drugs don't numb you,
that's a myth.

So why do people say that?

Because bipolar people
are more open, sensitive

and impulsive than other people and
when they are prescribed medication

they become normalized.
And they don't like that.

But you know what? It's necessary
if we are going to win this w*r.

I've been doing fine without meds.
-Oh, really?

More and less.
Some ups and downs.

Remember the final battle
in The Lord of the Rings?

You know,
everyone banded together.

The dwarves were like
occupational therapists.

They were all about perseverance,
and resilience.

The elves, they were so beautiful
and wise like us, the psychiatrists.

And then there were
The Riders of Rohan.

They were like your exercise
and fitness.

It required everyone,
fighting together as one,

to win the w*r on Mordor.

And do you remember who
saved everything in the end?

Frodo and Sam?
-No.

Are you a child?

Do you think Hobbits stand a chance
against the armies of Sauron?

The ghosts.

No one wanted to talk to them,
it was shameful to deal with them.

The ghosts are the meds.

And we need ghosts in our army.

I would prefer to do this
without ghosts.

Okay.

Here you go.
This is your new best friend.

It is quite possible
to get better

without medication.

But, wow, it's hard.

It is vital that
you stick to a routine.

And you need to exercise.

Ten thousand steps
are a lot of steps.

It's actually a common misconception
that walking exactly

ten thousand steps
is particularly healthy. Typical.

The mentally ill aren't the only ones
suffering from delusions.

But anyway,
start with a thousand steps.

The first day of your new cabinet.
How are you feeling?

We have always been ready
to be in government.

It just means the issues
will be firmly dealt with.

Here is the deed.

The keys...

Congratulations.
-Thank you.

Do you want to take it with you?

It would just die.

We'll look after it.

The festival of light.

Leo?

Leo?

Hey, there.

Kari?

Excuse me.

Kari?

It happened.
-What?

What?
The unremarkable miracle.

There were

at least four seconds where
I didn't think about the disease.

That's fantastic.

I told you so.
Now it's just uphill.

Up, up, up.

Are you okay?

Yeah, totally,
I'm really good.

Well.

It's just that Christmas
is a weird time.

Everyone is in this manic state
and everything is out of sync.

Have you had any help?

No, well...

I went to the ward.

I just wasn't sick enough, I guess.

Really?
-It's okay, though,

I got an appointment
in just a few weeks.

So we'll see how it goes.

Benedikt, we need to get going.

Yeah.
-Yes, yes.

Merry Christmas, Benedikt.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

What's on your mind?

Just wondering if we can perform
a little Christmas miracle.

I'm going to try.

Aki?

Hello, Aki, this is Benedikt.

Hi, there...

Listen, could you do me a favor?

One of my friends is
feeling quite down.

He's in trouble and I know you can
find some space for him in the ward.

Space for him in the ward?
No, problem Benedikt, for you...

I don't really mind, I just need
green peas, that's all I want.

From a can.
-Yes.

Girl, isn't?
Doesn't Kari live there?

Jesus...

There is ambulance there..

Oh my god

Oh...

Dear boy...

It's grim to be surrounded
by darkness

as the festival of
light approaches.

They turned him away.

He wasn't admitted to the ward.
-Did he ask to be?

They said he wasn't sick enough.

He wasn't sick enough.

He was going to deal with it
by himself.

And when he needed help

he didn't get any.

Things like this shouldn't happen.

This system.

Someone needs to fix it.

Maybe me.

Maybe me.

Maybe me.

Thanks..

My love.

I'm here.

I'm here.

I'm proud of you.