Original subtitles

We are on to something huge, my Belle. All thanks to this tiny clam.

This could cure Alzheimer's and slow down deterioration and ageing.

This is it.

The pills you made are contaminated.

You better pray this load won't be checked or I will completely destroy you.

Recall those batches. I don't care how.

Our medicines have to meet all quality standards. Also in China.

It's my sister.

She wants me to retrieve that load of contaminated pills,

get it off the market.

That would ruin you.

I would need your help, your connections.

I haven't done anything wrong.

It's a misunderstanding. I'll be back soon.

What a surprise. The boss herself is here.

Why are you here? - I represent the opponent.

Rombauts Pharma has made huge profits worldwide for years...

from its antidepressant Aspergon.

But more and more reports show that it's not as safe as it seems.

My own son takes this medicine. My son takes Aspergon.

Rombauts Pharma recently started a new study to renew the patent on Aspergon.

Is it true that the study to renew the patent was stopped?

Yes. - I'd still like to see those reports.

These are trade secrets. - Exactly.

And whose company is it? - Your father's.

The majority stake is shared by the whole family. I'm taking these with me.

Who is this man? - Thomas Clopot, a data analyst.

He came along with the Romanian company we took over.

Don't worry, take your time. Just wanted to check if you were still alive.

the Netherlands

5 the chosen ones

Baukje, would you like some coffee? - Yes, please. With a biscuit.

Fantastic.

This is fantastic.

This is only after two months of treatment. Two months.

Magnificent, isn't it? And the brain scans are also incredible.

It works.

He's much bigger than in the picture. - She. It's a female.

Yes? Come here. - Sorry.

Teddy. What's his name? - Taxi. It's a female.

I didn't come up with that, really. It's just her name.

Okay. Isabelle, one minute.

There's a lot of interest in the copycat scandal in China. The press.

Copycat scandal? In China?

Yes, the press wants a statement, so I'm here to discuss it.

What do you mean? - Our Chinese ex-production partner...

has counterfeited our pills, which are now found to be contaminated.

Plus he's been in jail for a month. - Where's Julien?

I thought you'd recall those contaminated pills in China?

Yes, I did. - With a lie, yes.

You prefer reputational damage? - No, that you don't get into such a mess.

And that you get your production in order. - Come on, you two.

You knew about this? - Chinese contaminated pills, in our name?

And now I have to defend this lie?

People have been arrested there.

Here you can get your press statement.

You're here?

Yes. I'm here, yes.

I'm going to take a shower.

Hey, a dog?

Quint, can you do me a favour? - Of course.

This is Taxi. Yeah, I didn't choose the name.

Can you babysit her? She's Art's birthday present, a surprise.

Of course. - You're amazing.

I have to run. Bye.

Come, let's go. You're such a beauty.

Whoa. The sexton has a dog. - Apparently, yes.

This is Taxi. - Taxi?

She's for my nephew's 18th birthday. - Really? A party? Nice.

Can I come? - Well, it won't be all that much fun.

My mother controls everything and my father only sees himself in everyone.

It's hard to explain. - Then don't go.

No, that's impossible. I have to go.

He's the new guy? - Yes.

Well, what do you think? Will it work? - What do you mean?

In full production, we'll need thousands of clams per week.

Yes, so I've heard. That's going to be a challenge.

Your predecessor said the same, but he didn't have a solution. You do?

If they were mussels, which grow like grapes, in bunches...

No mussels, this is about the ocean quahog.

Exactly, and it lives in the sand, at the bottom of the sea.

Yes, we know. But can we scale it up? Is there enough space here?

Some places have 40 per square metre. - That's more like it.

But it will be hard to grow them here, in a basin.

That's why we have you.

Look, how large do you think the basin should be to grow those clams?

Here? - No, in Morocco.

Yes, here, of course. - It won't work here.

It hardly ever works to make them reproduce in captivity.

Dad, listen to him, okay? He's the expert. - Yes, but this is not what I want to hear.

Sorry, but those clams will be dead within a week here.

Within a week, you say? So they will last a week here?

Yes, but growing them...

Good, then we will keep them here, and we'll drive a new batch here every week.

We're going to Zeeland. You're coming, and you're coming too.

Well, I actually have to... - Get a move on.

We don't have forever, come.

Dad, it's really a bad idea. I recalculated the costs, even with the new investments.

In China it's eight times as cheap. Building a factory, a farm...

Not too far south though. It's an arctic clam.

In Northern China land is even cheaper. - Forget cheap, I want quality. No fuck-ups.

No, we'll do it here.

Where's that thing?

That one? - That one, right?

Or is that Mum's?

Ezra, could you have a look at these?

Top secret? - I need an independent perspective.

I'm only a simple psychiatrist, not a pharmacologist.

Yes, but I'm also asking you as a worried mother.

I couldn't find anything in the report myself, but I'm not an expert, of course.

Sorry about this.

Yes, Mum. - Isabelle, I want to propose something...

for Archibald's 18th birthday. Is it okay if I take charge of that?

Yeah, no, I have... - Okay.

Everyone's so busy, it's no trouble for me. - Yes, but I...

Nothing big, maybe just a garden party if the weather is nice, okay?

I already had something... - Archibald also really liked the idea.

Okay. - Yes.

I'll take care of it. You've got enough on your plate. Okay?

Yes. Thanks, Mum. - Bye, Isabelle.

Sorry, that was my mother. She's preparing Art's birthday.

How's Art? - He's doing well, actually. Really well.

He's turning 18. - A man.

A man.

Yes, this would be perfect. - These are oysters, they're totally different.

How many times do I have to tell you? - Think in possibilities, not in limitations.

How many times do I have to say that?

They're best eaten raw.

In Scandinavia I still have a few buyers for the ocean quahog.

But here in Holland they don't eat it. - We're not here to eat them.

They're nothing like oysters. Growing them as well.

But it is possible to grow them? - Well...

Are you opening a fish restaurant or what?

So this is it?

Yes, this is it. Here we breed the larvae of the ocean quahog.

The water has to be exactly 15 degrees. Not too fresh, not too salty.

Fantastic.

Then we put them in the other tank to grow shells.

If that works, we put them back in the Scheldt to grow.

But it's not an easy creature.

Suppose we wanted 10,000 kilos? - 10,000 kilos, per year?

Per week.

No way. I do oysters, I only do this a bit on the side.

But suppose, 10,000 kilos a week, what would it cost?

Cost? What do you mean?

Let me put it differently. 20 million for the entire company.

Dad, come on. - Including you, of course.

Dad, 20 million.

Get lost, man. These guys are crazy. Goddammit.

You're not serious, right?

This is crucial, Julien. Without that clam, the medicine can't be made.

Why do you think the first Dutch pill factory was located in Oss?

Those engineers didn't want to live in the back end of Brabant.

No, the factory was next to the country's largest slaughterhouse.

They made insulin from pig organs, and pills from horse ovaries. Organs.

Do you get that? Organs, it was crucial.

And we need to set up that workflow, as soon as possible.

20 million, for a few tanks of brackish water?

Yes, and every week we'll drive a truckload of fresh clams to our factory.

There they'll last a week. Raymond will run the clams.

Dad, I've calculated it all. This can never be profitable.

What do you mean? This isn't about money, it's about something much bigger.

This is a revolution, how can you calculate that?

We have to know where we stand. Of course we have to calculate it.

You don't understand what this is about.

This is penicillin, but much bigger. This is going to change the world.

He doesn't want to, even if you offered him 30 million.

You do it like this...

and then...

- You know what, forget it. - No, I want to know too.

Marie?

I'd really like to talk to you and see you.

I wanted to tell you about Ming.

Apparently it's Ming.

I didn't know either, and suddenly she was there, and...

now she's here.

I don't know what to do.

And without you, I can't do this.

Marie, please.

Please, Marie.

Okay.

What a surprise. Would you like something to drink, a cup of coffee or tea?

No, thank you. I'm only here to drop something off for Art.

It's his birthday today, right? - No.

Well, yeah, it's almost his birthday.

Then Lola put it down on the wrong day, she was never really good with numbers.

Would you give this to Art? It was Lola's, she always wore it.

I was just tidying up, and I...

So incredibly sweet of you to think of this, and to come all the way to bring it.

Sure you don't want something to drink?

Some other time.

Man of the world.

- You look just like your father. - Okay, that's weird.

- Mum... Mum, it's okay. - Honey, come on. One more.

Mum, my alarm. My alarm, mum. Get out.

long shall he live in glory

Hip hip... - Hurray.

What is that?

You forgot one.

Who wants cake? - Yes, I'll have a piece.

Heard anything from the mussel man? Did you call him?

No, nothing. Those Zeeland people are a stubborn bunch.

Dries, can you have a look at it?

Marie isn't here, again. - No.

Do you know where Marie is?

She hasn't been feeling so well lately. I even had to go to another hairdresser.

Ludo, have you had a piece of cake?

Who wants to join? - No way, bottle football?

Yes. - I'm in.

Give it to me. You're playing as well?

Yes, Julien.

Watch out.

No.

Well done.

Come on, Isabelle. - Watch out, watch out.

Nice point.

Come on, Archibald. Yes, well done, Archibald.

No, no, put it down in the middle. Those are the rules.

Isabelle. This isn't fair.

What are you doing?

No, no.

Very well done.

Yes, go.

Yes, Julien. Bravo.

Hey guys, guys.

Dad, you're stopping the game. - Can I have your attention for a bit?

I would like to say a few words to my only grandchild.

Because Archibald, you may be 18 now, but to me, you will always be a grand-child.

And dear family, it brings me so much joy...

that we can finally celebrate a birthday together again, including bottle football.

And Art, my boy, you wouldn't believe how much alike we are.

We have the same nose for business, but we also share the same dislike of school.

My parents always worried about me. Because school, I really didn't give a...

whit about it.

From a very young age, I felt the urge to discover the world.

And now I see the same urge in Art.

That's why Grandma and I have decided to encourage that spirit of discovery.

Careful now. Careful.

Go ahead, open it.

There's more in there.

Have a look, go ahead.

A world ticket. I can fly all over the world, mum.

That backpack is yours, because 18 is when you go out into the world.

I did it on a moped, but this is a bit more luxurious.

It's valid for a year. - And business class.

- I can go wherever I want? - Wherever.

For a whole year.

I'll do it.

I'm sorry.

I thought Julien had told you. I thought you knew.

Was it hard to find him? I mean, since when did you...

When I was a kid, my mom, she told me about him.

I used to look him up on the internet.

And I used to make drawings and scrapbooks about Holland.

Why did you wait until now?

My mum passed away.

Couldn't you have discussed this with me? I'm his mother.

What do you mean?

You know what I'd think of such a gift. - He's 18, Isabelle.

You don't know him or where he comes from. You have no idea who he is.

I think you're overprotective. You have to let your children go. I know it's not easy.

Isabelle does have a point. - I do feel that Archibald...

would rather see the world than walk the dog three times a day.

You left home when you were 18, right? - I ran away, yes.

Yes, you were a very unstable teenager, Isabelle. You were really a handful.

But honestly: wasn't it best for everyone that you flew the nest when you were 18?

I want it to be different for Art.

I want him to leave home a happy and joyful person.

When he's ready for it.

China - Shenzhen

The remand of Chan Pan has been extended.

They won't let him go until the trial,

so you won't have to deal with that anymore.

Julien, have you ever considered an IPO for Rombauts Pharma?

What do you mean?

A stock market listing. Selling the company in shares?

I don't know if you've noticed,

but there's a huge buss around Rombauts Pharmaceuticals right now. You're hot.

What do you mean?

People talk about it, your father's project. Everyone wants it.

No. No, that's totally out of the question.

Out of your question or your father's?

I'm just saying, sometimes the rumour sells better than the actual product.

Julien? Julien?

Yeah, sorry. One more thing. I need your help for something personal.

India. I wanna go where you and Dad met.

Good idea.

You're going for the summer holidays?

No, next Thursday.

Art, you know that's not possible, right?

Why not?

Why not? You have to finish school. You can't just leave.

But you also left when you were 18.

Yes, okay, but it's not possible, okay? It just isn't.

But why not? Grandpa gave me...

Grandpa doesn't know what he's talking about.

Sorry, sweetheart, I just don't think it's very wise...

to travel around India on your own, okay? It's a place you really have to prepare for.

Mum, I checked everything. I know how to get there, plane, train, everything.

Online it might seem simple, but in reality, travelling around India is very hard.

I can do this, you know? Just like you, I can. What is it, you don't trust me?

Art, please. This has nothing to do with trust.

So do you think I can do it? You don't. You don't trust me.

In all honesty, not with such an impulsive plan.

A month and a half ago, you were about to collapse.

A world ticket is by far the worst possible gift for a boy like you.

What do you mean?

Art, I mean... Art, sorry.

With extra topping.

It'll be okay.

- Hi, Ming. - Hi.

I want to make you a proposition.

I opened a bank account for you today and I'm busy buying you an apartment.

In Shenzhen.

You want me to leave?

No. No, I don't want to, but... You know...

It's okay. I understand.

I can't find anything strange at first glance. - That's good, right?

Yes, according to this report, Aspergon works fine, hardly any side effects.

It's a well-conducted study, as far as I can tell. Decent-looking results.

But the report isn't entirely complete. A few appendices are missing.

And to see how they reached these conclusions, you really need the raw data.

But... - But what?

How long has Aspergon been on the market? About ten years?

Yes, thereabouts. - So the patent is about to expire?

I assume your office has already looked for new applications to extend that patent.

Yes, but that study has been stopped. - Why? I don't understand.

Well, it can happen, right? - But Aspergon is a blockbuster.

So you have to wonder why they aren't trying to extend the patent.

There's so much money being made here. We're talking millions.

Tell me.

Isabelle is really getting to the bottom of the Aspergon file.

Of course Belle is getting to the bottom. But she won't find anything strange, right?

She's very persistent.

Do we have a clam farm yet? - I'm working on it.

The son is willing, but the old man is stubborn.

But also a heart patient.

Are you alright?

Marie, what are you doing here? - I...

I just needed to talk to someone, so I was hoping to find the priest here, but...

Julien. He has a...

He has a daughter. She's fifteen.

You're bleeding.

Sorry. Yes, it's bleeding, I'm sorry.

Art, I trust you. Really.

The world can be so dangerous, honey, so...

You could get into an accident, like Lola...

What do you want yourself, most of all?

I really want to go to India.

Well, maybe you should then. - Really?

No. Everything inside me is screaming no, but...

I'll take that. - Okay, thanks.

Do you have everything? Phone charger, list of numbers, pills...

Of course. Otherwise, just call. - It'll be fine. I'm doing this, just me.

Have fun. - Thank you.

Hey, don't do anything your grandfather wouldn't do.

Bye, Taxi. I'm gonna miss you.

Uncle Quinten will take good care of him.

Take care, will you? - Yes.

And if you ever think you're texting me too much, the answer is always no.

Hey, you have to help me. Will you contact me every day, please?

Yes.

Bye-bye.

He'll have the time of his life.

Are you leaving?

Yeah, I'm leaving.

- Did Julien send you away? - No, it's just better this way.

- Where is Julien? - I don't know.

Glad you've brought them. I was getting worried.

I'd like to hold on to them a bit longer.

Why didn't you give me everything? Some attachments are missing.

It's about the conclusions.

No, it's about how you reach those conclusions.

I want to see all internal documents, everything about Aspergon.

The raw data, reports, memos, also about the cancelled study.

And you want that today? That's going to be difficult.

In ten minutes, security goes home, and we need their clearance.

Tomorrow morning.

Are you here to sue me?

Why did you start a lawsuit against Rombauts?

I've thoroughly reviewed all the reports, even had an expert look at them.

Aspergon is a safe drug.

Or do you have information I don't have?

Wait, sorry.

Let me start over. Do you have time for a drink?

Sorry for the false start. I can be a bit direct sometimes. Impatient.

My son Art has just left to travel around the world.

I'm a bit worried about him.

He's different from other children. And he takes Aspergon.

But that's not what this is about.

What information do you have that I don't?

There's someone who works for you. Or worked.

But right before the trial, he broke off contact.

And I can't get hold of him anymore.

Who?

I don't want to put him in danger. - We're a family business, not the Mafia.

You want to list the company? - Now's the time, Dad. We're hot.

Elixir is still a golden promise, we can cash in on it.

I'm going to show you something. Come.

Sit down.

Look. Isn't it fantastic?

Isn't it unbelievable?

And look. Here, look at these scans.

Elixir is no longer a promise, it's a hard reality.

But Dad, this is only phase two of the trial.

We still don't know anything about the side effects, or long-term effects.

It's still a long way to a marketable product. It will cost at least 700 million.

This didn't cross our path for no reason, son.

We are the chosen ones who get to share this blessing with the world.

We can't walk away from that, and the last thing we're going to do is cash in.

This isn't about money. This is a calling.

So that's what's going on.

Look, son, this is what I meant.

The unintended consequences of your actions can be a blessing for the world...

and you shouldn't walk away from them. You have to embrace them.

What's her name?

Ming. - What?

Ming. - Ming. Beautiful name.

Nice girl.

Come, will you introduce me to her?

Good morning. These are the files you were looking for.

Is that everything? - This is what I could find.

This is an appendix, and this is the report of the recent abandoned study.

Do you think this will do?

Well, call me if you need me.

I asked you for the reports, raw data and memos of all the research on Aspergon.

And this is what you have for me? - Sorry, I really have to go.

Clopot.

That researcher you spoke with, is his name Thomas Clopot?

Hamza?

If you want to speak to him, he's in Romania. I'm flying in two hours.

And I'd really appreciate it if you joined me.

Or do you think that's inappropriate?

No, you can't do that, of course. Forget it.

- next time - Why now? Why me?

Personal reasons. You could call it early retirement.

Your child only speaks Chinese, and your wife is too weak to leave you.

Hey sweetie, is everything okay?

Mum, I'm fine. I'll speak to you later. Anika, Anika. Bye.