Borgen

Series three, episodes three and four
After some brief whiteboard theorising, Birgitte and friends have decided their party is to be called the New Democrats. It’s a process of self-definition that continues throughout tonight’s two episodes. First, Nyborg attempts to weed out a few of the nutbag malcontents who are attaching themselves to the party. Next, she’s forced to send back a hefty donation and admonish Berthelsen for behaving like, well, a politician. And finally, she takes smoothy British squeeze Jeremy to a restaurant and treats him to some Danish pork. Big mistake.

In an episode that proved genuinely controversial in the spiritual home of bacon, Jeremy regurgitates his supper in front of the whole restaurant and Birgitte, far from being embarrassed, spots an opportunity to set the news agenda. There are certain elements of this final series of ‘Borgen’ that are trying our patience but, on the whole, it remains stirring and satisfying. Birgitte is Jed Bartlet without the punchable piety, a vision of what politicians would be like if they weren’t careerists, opportunists, hypocrites and money-grabbing scumbags. Satisfying Saturday night fare.