By Muncii
I’d like to recommend the HP community to a Norwegian drama – ‘Occupied’ (available on Netflix).
Set somewhere ‘in the near future’ the story begins in a Norway ruled by a government and Prime Minister of the Green Party, very ethical and proud of their principles.
The PM is a vain, pompous but ultimately naive man, who with government support decides to shut down the country’s oil and gas plants (situated on land and sea in the far north of the country near the Russian border) in anticipation of a new wonder fuel currently being developed by the country’s scientists.
But this action does not just affect Norway – the plants have also been supplying many EU countries. So the Russians, supported by the EU, decide to invade Norway and occupy the oil and gas plants, to ensure that the supply is kept going.
The incredulous response of the PM and parliament is well shown; concern expressed by the country’s military leaders, who want a robust response, is batted away with the usual protestations about the importance of avoiding confrontation and a belief that ‘negotiation’ with the Russians is the only way forward.
By the time the PM realises what is happening it is too late : the Russians set up their own security services in Norway and are beginning to occupy key civilian posts . The PM tries to enlist the support of the EU, but they are not interested.
The story develops in predictable, and unpleasant, directions, affecting not just Norwegian MPs and the security services, but ordinary citizens. One keen reporter who sees what is happening comes to an untimely end, whilst his pretty wife is only too happy to keep her restaurant going by fawning all over the Russians, who become regular customers. Unbeknown to her, their son joins the fast developing underground ‘free Norway’ movement, whose increasingly violent actions only serve to confirm the Russians’ determination to stay and increase their numbers in Norway.
The Russian Ambassador has a central role : a steely, stylish, woman, she avoids answering direct questions and often resorts to the kind of line ‘well I’m trying to keep the peace here, and if you don’t accede to my suggestions and give me the information I need, I can’t be responsible for what my government in Moscow will do next…’
I like this drama – it’s well acted and ultimately very persuasive, about both the Russians and the so very ‘wet’ response of the Green PM and his party, whose ethical principles they judge more important than the security of their country. Until it’s too late.
Update :
I thought of this drama just now, with COP 24 taking place, a pointless back slapping exercise in Baku, of all places . And our government ministers and the elites are busy enforcing ‘net zero’ on ordinary people. A representative from Transport for London has just refused to allow more car parking spaces at a very busy London Underground station near me, because TfL and the Mayor don’t want to encourage people to use their cars…
The UK has had no wind to turn the turbines for a fortnight. I’ve read that the absence of wind requires old gas fired generators to be turned on, for back up, to meet the demand. But turning these generators on and off costs more money.
I admit to knowing nothing about air quality, climate change, or fossil fuels. But I object to scaring school children witless by doom-mongering about impending disasters, or penalizing motorists.
I don’t think I believe in ‘net zero’, nor do I welcome the prospect of fuel poverty. Will there be electricity blackouts, should I invest in a camping stove ?
