02x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

And we won't be able
to do this without him.

We're not handing over the most
controversial ministry to a sick man.

We need him.

He's the chairman of your party,
the president wants him

and we won't be able
to do this without him.

You tried to deprive my husband
of his autonomy.

Yes.
But we're in the same boat now.

Svanhvit and your dad
are planning to take over

the party at the
next National Assembly.

It must be strange to have a declared
mentally ill person as a boss.

"I wish I had the day off."

And if it were up to me,
we'd all have the day off.

We would go outside
and catch some sun.

Was that a joke?
- Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.

It's a much better system.

And as you know, we're looking
for a new editor-in-chief.

Would you be interested?

This sun-holiday stuff is funny
but it doesn't belong in the media.

I will set this right.
I'll explain that it was just a joke.

Ragna... Ragna.

Wait.
I can't let you do this.

What are you doing here?
- Are you firing me?

It was Svanhvit who convinced
the party and Finnbogi

to place Benedikt in
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

What were you thinking? -We just
thought it was the right thing to do.

We?

Me.
You and Steinunn.

I live here.

What happened?

What happened?

Can you start tonight?

I don't trust him anymore
with the baby.

Good morning.
- Morning.

So.

What do you think?

It's fantastic.
- Isn't it just?

Congratulations, dad.
- Thank you.

It's good to have you
in the neighbourhood. -Yes.

I'll miss the countryside.

But now that I'm a grandpa,

I can't be too far away
from my only grandchild.

That's right.
She is magnificent.

Eva is so precious.

So...
One moment.

Listen, Benedikt.

I know this new placement is
a big achievement for me,

but you really didn't
have to do this.

These aren't for you, dad.
Sorry.

But congratulations.
Come with me.

Who was he?

A friend.

He was sick.
The same as me.

It's comforting to know
he's in your care, dad.

What the hell?
- Please, don't.

Get the hell out of here.
- No, don't do that.

Let's not swear in the graveyard.

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

This is fine.

Damnit.
- Don't swear here.

Dad, this is ridiculous.
- Come now, Benedikt.

Just let them be.

That's it.

Jesus.

No, jump.
That's it.

That's it.

This is the National radio news...

Benedikt Rikhardsson
costs sheep farmers... -Wait.

...nearly two billion krona.

According to the National Sheep
Farmers Association

who says that a change of ministers
in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

has ruined a trade agreement
with parties on the Indian market.

The Ministry was supposed
to mediate the sale of 2800 tons

of Icelandic lamb meat
to Indian businesses

but for some reason,
the agreement fell through.

Do you know anything about this?

Just that Iceland produces
too much lamb meat.



Yes, but the Indian embassy
was to aid foreign exports.

This is not our mess.

For Icelandic farmers, this is
a loss of up to two billion!

This raises questions about whether
the ministry is in good hands...

He doesn't mean it like that.

Just squeeze it directly
into your mouth.

Come on.
Let's keep going.

After speaking with
the Prime Minister,

we have decided to comply
with the demands of sheep farmers

for additional funding
from the Treasury.

Two billion is a lot of money,
but I've identified a few projects

which I believe we can postpone
until next year with relative ease.

Each will save us between fifty
to seven hundred million kronur.

Minister for Finance.

Are we postponing the construction
of the new psychiatric ward?

We've already made
the announcement.

We've got the building permit.
- Let this be a lesson.

Next state funding allocation,
include the Finance Minister.

Prime Minister. When I joined this
government, we made a deal.

Yes, but things change,
and we must adapt.

We're only postponing this
until next year.

But this was just the first step.

Next year, the plan was
to build the house and hire staff.

Is the whole thing getting
pushed back a year?

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

Look who's talking,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.

What do you mean?

These demands are being made because
of a screw-up in your ministry.

Regardless, this money has to come
from somewhere.

Exactly,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.

What would you rather do?
- Take out a loan?

No.

I just think that we have supported
sheep farmers enough this year.

It's about protecting jobs
outside of the city.

But is it though?
- Yes, it is. Reports show that

if we do nothing, processing
facilities in the east will go under.

We don't know that. -Minister for
Foreign Affairs. It's been decided.

You partnered up with
the Progressive Party, Benni.

The Progressive Party.

The third white noise sound works
best. I just changed the batteries

but there are a few spare ones
if you need them.

She recently started eating
some food.

Not real food though.
So just mix it with water.

This is her sleep routine.

Just remember

to start at quarter past eleven

because it takes her half an hour
to calm down.

If you start at half past eleven,
you've lost her completely.

Steinunn.
Karen was once a baby.

Yes. Sorry.

It's fine, it's no problem at all.
This is all great.

You can head off, we'll be fine.

Okay. Thank you so much, Drifa.
- Don't mention it.

It's been a bit difficult lately.
- I love doing this.

Are the two of you
going to try for another one?

Sorry. I shouldn't...

I shouldn't have asked.

Is it...
Is it a sensitive subject?

There's just nothing going on.
In the bedroom, I mean.

I know a thing or two about that.

You just had a baby.
- Yes.

I just don't understand
your brother sometimes.

Well, he is a moron.

It's just this new job of his.

You come up with this idea, your dad
talks him around and all of a sudden,

he's turned our lives upside
down for a much lower paycheck.

Did dad encourage him
to take the job?

Isn't he always bossing him around?

REIGN AFFAIRS COSTS TWO BILLION

Morning.
- Morning.

Morning.

I've got the Icelandic ambassador
to India for you.

You reached him?
- Yes.

Great, can I do it here?

You sure can.
- Will you send me a link?

You can go right ahead.

Oh?

Hello there.
- Hello.

Shouldn't you be in India?
- Yes.

I go home quite frequently.
To see my grandchildren.

Sure.

So, Theodore.

Tell me how I managed
to mess up India's purchase

of 2800 tons of Icelandic lamb.

Well, it's complicated.

To be clear, were we going
to sell this meat? -Yes.

One of the top priorities
of the embassy

has been to market
Icelandic lamb in India.

How's that going

It's going well.

We procured all the permits
and got farmers in

touch with shops interested
in buying 2800 tons.

But?

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?

Yes. Around 130 kronur per kilo.
- I see.

And?

When they saw the prices,
they backed out.

So, is this meat simply unsellable?

Hi.

Coffee?
- No, thanks.

How's it going

Erna, I've already hired
an editor-in-chief.

I found a job.
- Okay.

Where?

At Hreggvidur Hreggvidsson's,
the fishing tycoon.

Wow.
- Yes.

He's nice.
- Good.

He's considering investing
in the media industry.

I told him that I know of a certain
media outlet that might be for sale.

Give it some thought.

This paper is getting in your way.

A sick man influencing the media.

Benedikt is not in charge
of this paper.

Maybe not.
But that's what it looks like.

So, you'll be the mouthpiece
of some big shot fisherman?

No. Hreggvidur wouldn't be
in charge of the paper.

See.

Give it some thought.

The offer will be very, very good.

The paper is not for sale.

Sure.
See you around.

So.

A quarter of the production
isn't selling.

The way I see it,

this is the best lamb meat
in the world. We all know that.

Abroad, you can find
cows that are massaged daily.

This is the Icelandic lamb,

raised free in the mountains.

We must be able to find a buyer.
- Right.

No, I don't think we can.

Are we talking about the same lamb?
- It's too expensive.

So, the government
just takes the hit.

The government has already paid
around twenty-five billion this year

in agricultural subsidies.

The government must always subsidise
something to run our society.

That's true, but...
- But?

Do we not want a society where
people can live in the countryside?

Of course we do.

But they want an additional
two billion kronur

for meat that's going
to get destroyed.

Do you want to sacrifice the
countryside for a psychiatric ward?

It would be crazy not to.

They've already had
twenty-five billion.

We’ve promised people
a psychiatric ward.

It's also a matter
of our credibility.

So, what do you want to do?

What if we just talk to them?

The sheep farmers?
- Surely, we can solve this together.

How did it go?
- Really well.

She is so lovely.
You're just so lovely, my darling.

You are so wonderful.
She was so funny earlier.

She thought her grandpa
was pretty funny.

Mom doesn't find grandpa funny.

But grandpa is quite funny.

There you go, darling.

I could help out
if you ever need a babysitter,

if you're ever struggling
to get to work.

I heard someone offered
to buy the newspaper.

Who told you that?

You just hear things.

Are you one of the investors?

Steinunn.

If I wanted to lose money, there are
more enjoyable ways than this.

The paper has made a profit
for three years straight.

The same cannot be said about any
other media company in the country.

Around thirty million total.

Thank you, Drifa.
- Don't mention it.

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

The paper isn't for sale.

Steinunn, listen to me.

You now have a family.
- Yes, I do.

So, I should just stop working
and focus on the baby like mom did?

That's not what I said.

I just think it's a grave matter,

not having enough time
for your child.

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

I'm just offering to
look after Eva.

I'm trying, dear.

Porgeir.
- Yes?

The refreshments are for farmers.
- A TV cake is very rustic.

Lactose free milk? Really?
- What does it matter?

This is The Icelandic Sheep
Farmers Association.

We'll just serve it in a jug.

They'll know. -Okay, I'll see
if I can find some real milk.

Finnbogi is here.
- Finnbogi?

Good morning.

Are you here for the meeting?
- There will be no meeting.

Oh?
I called it off.

What were you thinking?
Inviting sheep farmers

to a discussion about funding?
- We meant no offense.

You're the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Magni is the Minister of Health.

This matter falls under the
jurisdiction of two other ministries.

I just wanted to keep you
in the loop. -Good for 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?

This has become my problem
to solve. -No, it hasn't.

They say it's my fault
that Iceland produced



of unsellable lamb meat.
- Benedikt.

Are you taking your meds?

Yes.

Don't you have any proper milk?

What?

I'm sorry, Benedikt.

This is not how we operate
as a government.

This matter doesn't concern you.

Finnbogi.

This whole system is insane.

I disagree. -The government foots
the entire bill.

We produce too much meat, large
quantities end up being destroyed,

it's exported at a loss
and the farmers are left penniless.

This is a matter of food security
and regional considerations.

I'm happy to discuss this, but not
in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

You promised
a mental health initiative.

And I'll keep that promise. -Yet you
back out the first chance you get.

You'd rather use the money on
meat that's going to be destroyed.

We'll resume the
psychiatric ward topic next year.

Next year, there will just be more
lambs that need to be slaughtered.

Magni.

Check this out.

Yes.
- Here.

People are digging up old opinion
pieces from Steinunn's paper.

It puts everything
into perspective.

This is absurd. My opinions
have changed since then.

These aren't even her opinions.
- This is her paper.

Yes, but Finnbogi.
- What I'm trying to say

is that I can't support you
in this. I just can't.

It's so calm here.
- Very.

Even during the day.

I was thinking,
I've only got the one car.

Rikhardur.

Hi.

Hello there.
- Let me get a look at her.

Look how she's grown.

Steinunn, I wanted to apologize
for how I behaved

when Benedikt fell ill.

Sure, Rikhardur.

What are you doing here?

Oh, yes. I was viewing
a flat across the street.

Over there?
- Yes.

I went ahead and put in an offer.

Wow.
- Yes.

Right there, across the street?

When you're my age and you
only have one grandchild, well,

I just wanted to be close by.
- I hadn't heard of this.

You're moving to the neighbourhood.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

This is within our boundary line.

No, the boundary line is here.

This tree is very important to us.

It's kind of symbolic.
- It is?

Yes.
Yes?

It's also kind of dead.

I just need to give it some love.

These kinds of trees
don't thrive here.

Sure they do.

I work at a garden centre.

Maybe we can just leave it there?

I could replace it with
a beautiful quaking aspen tree.

No, it needs to be this tree.
- Steinunn.

She might be right.

No.

No.

Okay, this tree isn't
going anywhere.

Yes, thank you.

Yes, maybe I'll just...

There we are.

Great.

Would you like some coffee?
- Sure.

Thanks for today.

Wait, there's one more thing
I need from you.

We've prepared
the letter of appointment.

All we need is your signature.

If we want to celebrate,
we just need to decide on a date.

Sorry, what is this?
- The position of ambassador in Oslo.

Do you want me to appoint
Eggert Einarsson

as the ambassador for Norway?
- No.

Benedikt, what I want
is irrelevant.

But? -But this was decided
by your predecessor.

All rules and regulations
were followed.

The only thing we're missing is your
signature. -Grimur appointed Eggert?

Yes. -Eggert?

Yes!

Can he speak any Norwegian?

Signdur.
- Signdur Helga.

I need to think about this.
- No, Benedikt.

Benedikt, don't be like that.
- No.

It's nonsense.
- God damnit.

You're not coming home this summer?

Hrefna, you can't make that
decision by yourself.

What if I come visit you instead?

Sure, okay.

Grimur.

Did you appoint Eggert Einarsson as
the Icelandic ambassador in Norway?

What kind of deal was that?
- Deal?

Deal, arrangement,
whatever you want to call it.

It wasn’t a f*cking deal

What's going on?

I'm trying to get Sindri
to visit me this summer.

I bought him a bike.
As a summer gift.

It's just parked at home.

He's not coming

No.

Sorry. What...

What about Eggert?

Yes, Eggert.

Is he the most qualified person
to organise parties in Norway?

He's been in parliament for
thirty years, he knows the system.

I'll bet he doesn't speak
a word of Norwegian.

He's a fine fit.
It's good to get rid of him.

And now he owes us a favour.

Are we fine with this?
- What?

Bleeding the taxpayers dry
so that an incompetent man

who doesn't speak any Norwegian
can have some glamorous role,

just because it makes
our lives easier.

Benedikt.

Not every battle is worth fighting.

You're in a fight right now
and it's not going well for you.

It's just Svanhvit.
You know that.

Yes?

What I mean is,

she can find this money elsewhere.

She's undermining you.
- No.

You announce the construction of a
new psychiatric ward later this year.

This is your only official policy.

She's trying to get you
to break your one promise.

Good evening.
- Hello.

Hello, my love.
I brought a guest.

Hi.
Come on in.

Yes. -Come.

Hi.

This looks amazing.

Delicious, Steinunn.

Aren't you having any

I already had dinner.
- You did?

What a shame, this looks so good.

Listen, Grimur has just made
a good point.

We must find a way to make sure
the psychiatric ward isn't postponed.

Benedikt announced it publicly,
he can't back out. -No.

Not to mention how important
this is for the nation.

It's hard without the
Finance Minister's funding.

Surely you agree.

If Benedikt backs down, that's
a win for Svanhvit and your dad.

Yes.

This would impact the
National Assembly. -It might.

It might?

Representatives will remember
the chairman's unmet policy goals.

Okay.

I know how we can solve this, without
involving the Ministry of Finance.

How?

We'll sell the meat.

Sure.

And who would want to buy it?
- You.

Me?
- Yes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
receives 7.3 billion per year

for development cooperation.

A month ago, when I was the
Minister for Foreign Affairs,

three billion were left.

Buy the meat
and donate it to emergency aid.

No, Finnbogi asked me
to leave this alone.

It's not up to Finnbogi.
You don't need anyone's permission.

No.

He might be on to something,
Benedikt.

Think of how many birds you'll k*ll
with one stone.

You sell the meat, the farmers are
happy, you get a psychiatric ward,

Iceland stops destroying
perfectly good meat

and the hungry people
abroad get fed.

Wouldn't it be better to just
give them the money?

The United Nations Emergency Fund
would be gladly accept this.

But we should be helping
these nations.

We should be building schools,
creating jobs,

not dropping some rancid meat
off at their door.

Just picture how beautiful this is.

Icelandic lamb meat
fending off famine.

This is a solution.

A political solution.

Not a particularly humane one.

Oh. I'll do it. -No, I'll do it.
You have a visitor.

Let me do it,
I haven't seen her all day.

I already had dinner.

Okay.

I hadn't had dinner.

I wanted to tell you two
at the same time.

Why?

Because you get it.

Look.
These are buds.

Look. Look here.

Buds.
Can you say buds?

I know it's a bit of a silly word,

but I think it's the most beautiful
Icelandic word.

Because when the buds appear,

it means that you have survived
the winter. Did you know that?

Maybe you should be called
Eva Bud Benediktsdottir.

Furthermore..

Sorry. Come, sit.

Sorry about that.
He's a bit curious.

You need to control this dog.

Excuse me.
Sorry, he got out.

Come.

Sorry.

Right.

That was strange.

Right.

Hello?
Hi, are you free at noon tomorrow?

Let me check.

I can only fit you
in tomorrow at 7AM.

That's when Porgeir
and I are playing basketball.

Can't you do that later?

It's a bit tricky
because of the routine.

I'll just join you.
We can talk while we play.

Okay, but we'll need
a fourth player.

I'll take Magni with me.

Magni? Sure.

Yes.

Okay.
- See you in the morning, bye.

It was an accident.
You know that, right?

The dog just startled me,

I tripped, but I caught her.

Some group wants to buy the paper.
- Isn't that wonderful?

Just do whatever you think is best.

Right?

Damnit.

So, you'll buy all the meat?

Yes.
The farmers will love that.

And you'll get the
psychiatric ward.

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

Yes.

Let's play for it.
- No.

Alright, alright.

Porgeir and me against you two.

Okay.

Okay.

If we win, we buy the meat
and get the psych ward.

Sure.
And if we win?

All our projects get put on hold

and taxpayers pay
two billion for the meat.

Let's go.
- No, guys, hold on.

Steal the ball.
Porgeir.

That's it.
- Magni, come on.

The game hadn't started.
- What are you doing?

Hey. -Yes.

I'll take Porgeir.
- Okay. Sorry.

No worries.

Just remember which team you're on.

Well.
- No, listen to me.

If you don't perform badly,
I'm kicking you out of the family.

Okay?
Get him.

Apply some pressure, come on.

No, Porgeir.

Come on.
- Porgeir.

What are you doing?
- Amazing.

Come on.

k*ll him.
- Go, Magni.

Porgeir.

They do this every time.

Get him. Just push him.

Take him out. What's
going on, Magni?

Take him out? What do you mean?
- Just take him out.

What do you want me to do?
- Take him out.

Screw you.

Sorry.

Did something happen?

He's just so happy
to be my assistant.

Porgeir, come back,
we were just kidding.

You need to stop
being so competitive.

We were just messing around.

Something so important isn't
determined by a game of hoops.

Sorry.
- No, I'm sorry.

But I like this idea.
- Yes.

I'll make the announcement.

Porgeir, schedule
an interview later today.

Shower.
- Shower.

Hey. -Hi.

RUV just requested
an interview about those

old opinion pieces
about sheep farming.

Yes, why?

It's just getting shared
around online.

Because of that unsellable meat?

Yes, and because
Benedikt is involved.

Did you try the coffee?
Would you like some?

I was thinking that
I should do the interview.

Alright.

Alright, in that case,

let's go over everything
that needs to be addressed.

Come.

Oh.

Oh, hey.
- Hi.

I hadn't congratulated
you on your new job yet.

Thanks.

How are things with you
aboard the Death Star?

Just fine.

How's this place?

It's been great.
- Yeah?

At least I get to write news
without any interference.

Sure.

Our other guest has arrived.

Are we both on at the same time?

You're here to talk about sheep,
aren't you?

Hello.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs
will purchase the meat

from the sheep farmers
and donate it to emergency aid

for those in dire need.

And just like that,
we solve several problems at once.

So, you're saying that...
- Wait.

You're going to use funds
earmarked for development aid

to buy meat from ourselves?
From Icelandic farmers?

Yes, and I think
it's a beautiful thing.

The Icelandic lamb has never
done more good for the world.

Ottar, your paper published multiple
pieces criticizing sheep farming.

Do they reflect the paper's view
of the profession?

No. We are a media outlet, we try
to be impartial in these matters.

Speaking of these opinion pieces.
According to the news this morning,

people were paid to write
these specific articles.

Benedikt, does your wife's media
outlet have an anti-farming agenda?

No, not at all.

All those who write
opinion pieces get paid.

Actually, that's not
entirely correct.

Oh.

I don't know all the details.

But I can say with confidence

that my wife runs this company
with integrity.

And she would never push
her own opinions

or interfere with reporting
and editing in any way.

Ottar can attest to that.

Can you attest to that, Ottar?

Benedikt, did you know

that when you were sick

I wrote a story about it.

But Steinunn,
your wife, she stopped me.

She threatened me and gagged me.

To appease me,
she made me editor-in-chief.

I am currently editor-in-chief
because I kept quiet

about a story that was
definitely in the public interest.

She bought me off.

How that doesn't qualify
as interfering with reporting?

This is devastating information.

I wasn't aware of this.

If Steinunn participated in such
a thing, that's just unforgivable.

The chairman of the Icelandic
Sheep Farmers Association is here.

Yes, show him in.

Come on in.

Welcome, Jonas.
- Hello.

Join us.
- Hello.

Have a seat.

So.

This meat will not be sold to you,
only to be used for emergency aid.

Have you lost your minds?

We've built up the reputation,
this is a high-quality food product

and you want to give it away
like some third-rate rice.

I know.

There is nothing like the
Icelandic lamb. We all agree.

But you can't sell it.
- Not right now.

But if you do this, you'll undo
decades of marketing.

I'm just trying to meet them
halfway. -No.

You've got a sick man in office

who's going after
the country's oldest profession.

Finnbogi.

If you take part in this,

Icelandic farmers will remember it
in the next election.

I've written a letter
of resignation.

You don't have to work
your notice period.

I'm rooting for him.

I really am.

He's a good politician.

Right now,
what he needs most is trust.

And he's not the one
who's destroying it.

I just received a message
from the Prime Minister's Office.

They request that we don't use
cooperation funds to buy lamb meat.

No psychiatric ward, more sheep.

Thanks.

Hi, dad.

Benedikt...

What?

What the hell is going on here?

I have no idea.
- This is our garden.

Do you understand?

This is your garden?

Fine.
I'm calling the media, Benedikt.

No, wait.
I don't know what's going on.

Hello.

Stop.

Just stop, my dear friends.

I'm really sorry, I don't know what's
going on but we'll sort this out.

You'd better.

Yes, but what is going on?

Excuse me.

You can just go home.

Steinunn.

What's happening in the garden?

The neighbour is furious.

Dad didn't get the flat.

He didn't?

Someone outbid him.

How could you say that?

What?

What you said about
me on the radio.

Why couldn't you just defend me?

Defend you?

For one thing, this was
a clear human rights violation.

Ottar disclosed sensitive
medical information in the media.

It wasn't censorship,
it wasn't unforgivable.

It was censorship.

Tread carefully.

Benedikt... -Hey.

I'm going to sell the paper.

I think that's a good idea.

Yes.

Yes.

Good.

I have to go.
I need to stick to the routine.

What an impressive media outlet.

It's in good hands.