Original subtitles

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.

2800 tons too much?

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

2800 tons

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 fucking 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 kill 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.

Kill 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.