Ep 2. Count to 90

In the second episode of Borgen season one, titled "Count to 90," we continue to follow the rising political career of Birgitte Nyborg, the newly elected Prime Minister of Denmark.

The episode starts with Birgitte waking up early to the news of a Danish soldier being killed in Afghanistan. She immediately requests a briefing from her Defense Minister, Troels Höxenhaven, who is hesitant to overcommit Danish troops to the warzone. As the day progresses, Troels finds himself in a difficult position as he is pressured by both Birgitte and the American Ambassador to keep Danish troops on the ground.

Meanwhile, Birgitte's Communications Director, Kasper Juul, is dealing with a controversy of his own. A tabloid newspaper has published a story about his past drug addiction, threatening to derail his promising political career. Kasper is determined to protect the Prime Minister's image, and he convinces her to use her influence to squash the story. Birgitte agrees, but the situation puts a strain on their professional relationship.

As Birgitte meets with the families of fallen soldiers and tries to console them, she realizes the importance of showing sympathy and appreciation for the sacrifices made by the military. With Troels still hesitant to commit more troops to the warzone, Birgitte takes a bold step and publicly announces that Denmark will increase its presence in Afghanistan. The decision is met with both praise and criticism from her colleagues and the public.

Overall, "Count to 90" is a deeply political and emotional episode that deals with the consequences of war, the power of media, and the difficult decisions that politicians have to make. The episode is a testament to Borgen's ability to weave together complex themes and characters into a compelling story that keeps viewers hooked.