COBRA

[People shouting] [Brakes whine] [Police radio chatter] You a resident?

My name's Francine Bridge.

I'm a member of Parliament.

My condolences.

No more traffic into Godley.

You got to go right.

[Car horn honking] Excuse me.

[Honking continues] [Phone line rings] Henry, on phone: This is Henry Wicks.

Leave a message and join our fight at Godley Common.

Francine: Henry, it's Francine.

There's bloody police everywhere, but I am coming.

Woman: Her actions today surely constitute, by any measure, a shocking escalation.

It's justified escalation.

Your group has called openly for the overthrow of democratic government and of capitalism.

What we have called for is for the end of the homicidal, reckless exploitation of the planet.

Man: Mr. Wicks, how many more young people are you willing to exploit and endanger to further your cause?

Henry: What happened to our brave friend is a tragedy, but this is not exploitation.

This is about citizens of courage and will putting themselves at great personal risk in the face of extreme crisis.

[Journalists clamoring] [People shouting] What we are calling for is systemic change, and any system that cannot or will not change deserves to fall.

Woman: So are you concerned about the possible consequences for the Planet Resistance Movement in the aftermath?

Henry: The government's cynical disturbance bill already represents a draconian violation of our right to peaceful protest and our fundamental freedom.

[People shouting] Man: How do you think the Prime Minister is feeling right now?

Well, I doubt that he's over the moon, but I imagine that he's profoundly embarrassed and highly anxious.

He-- [Crowd screaming] [Rumbling] [People shouting] Robert: It was not a separation.

Robert, when I said you were separated for two months, I just meant as geographical fact.

Rachel went to visit our daughter in Chile, yes, and, given the circumstances at the time, I supported them.

Oh, I felt so supported.

I mean, I saw the sense in it... [Cell phone vibrating] given, as I said, the circumstances.

Would you maybe expand on what you mean by "circumstances"?

I'm not sure if you were aware of any minor news at the time.

Ruin Britannia?

Cerberus?

Thermonuclear brink?

My name, reputation, career--pulverized, if we are listing circumstances.

In the questionnaire you each completed... [Cell phone vibrating] I asked what you most hoped for from counseling, and I'd like to try a little exercise.

I-I'm sorry.

We're 10 minutes over.

We agreed it would be beneficial to begin with a double session.

Wasn't in my diary.

[Scoffs] Unbelievable.

I have a COBRA meeting.

I'm late.

Sorry, truly.

I'm aware your professional obligations are somewhat singular.

Robert, if you fuck up this evening, I will divorce you!

I won't.

I would never.

[Door opens and closes] Can I ask?

"This evening"?

Our daughter's coming home.

Sincerest apologies.

Scheduling error, for which someone will be both fired and imprisoned.

So, situation at Godley Common?

Audrey: The Metro Ultra Line construction at Godley remains paralyzed by the Planet Resistance protest.

Most of the surface camp has been cleared, but there are still six protesters within the tunnel network they've dug, and, I'm afraid, that eviction process is ongoing.

The bailiffs estimate reaching the protesters within four days.

Oh, what are they digging with, bloody teaspoons?

Audrey: The protest tunnel is sophisticated, and we think they've locked themselves on at drop shafts here and here.

Plus, with the recent heavy rain, that's complicated the whole operation, so it's not so much teaspoons, Minister, as basic health and safety logistics.

Oh, for God's sake.

This Planet Resistance group have been holed up in the mud for three weeks, and, given the cost of outsourcing the eviction, one has to wonder if the bailiffs have as much to gain from dragging this out as Planet Resistance themselves... I-I really don't-- so Victoria and I have been conferring and agree that we should-- The army.

Send them in.

Get it done and dusted.

Joseph: But to bring them out faster, Robert, not to shoot them.

Victoria: Although, given the backlog in the courts-- Look.

You may think it a little de trop, but the fact is, the longer this goes on, these people are making a mockery of the civil disturbance bill and the authority of government.

Government, which, I would remind you, is obligated to prioritize the safety of its citizens.

Which is the whole point of the civil disturbance bill, isn't it, to protect the public from selfish idiots and unnecessary disruption.

Robert: Look.

Have the Sheriff's Office put extra pressure on the bailiffs firm by all means.

Get the protesters out of the tunnel, and we will prosecute to the full extent provided under the bill.

I just think there's wearing a velvet glove, and then there's waving a feather duster.

But we will not be sending platoons to the shires.

So, you looking forward to the ponies?

Robert, on phone: Got to love the "Telegraph."

"Mirror" went with "Only fools and horses."

Always nice to make a parade of glad-handling tyrants.

General Kendrick's worried they're talking to the Americans, and if it takes a bit of glad-handling to move back the goalposts, then-- A top hat becomes you.

Top hat becomes Archie.

I look like a circus ringmaster.

Well, you're hardly short of clowns.

[Chuckles] In fact, I know I'm meant to be off for another three weeks, but I want to come back sooner... Do you think you're-- as in tomorrow.

Well, I mean, if you're sure.

If I find myself watching another episode of "Bargain Hunt," I'm going to burn this bloody house down.

I'm ready, Robert.

Fine.

Fine.

[Click] [Clanging] Sorted?

Yeah.

All good?

Peachy.

Should be enough down there for about three weeks now.

Any word from Francine Bridge?

Not yet.

All right.

Thanks, mate.

Oh, you really think she'll come?

Yeah.

Jesus, politician actually on side for once.

Henry: Won't stop the eviction, though.

Except when they realize Polly's gone down an even deeper tunnel, they still can't build their sodding train.

Until they dig her out.

So, what, sorry, you're saying you don't think it's even worth it?

What I'm saying is, it's not enough.

That's why I'm upping the ante.

You're taking the piss.

No.

I'm serious.

You're going to find out very soon, OK?

I promise you, this is something that they're not going to be able to ignore.

[Car door shuts] Welcome home.

[Chuckles softly] Hi.

[Oven door opens] Thirsty work.

Should have done cauliflower cheese.

She loves my cauliflower cheese.

Well, she'll be reasonably satisfied with a banquet in her honor.

Rachel, I'm sorry about this morning.

Well, your professional obligations are somewhat singular.

Look.

I know things haven't been right, but I want them to be, to be like they were, like we were.

[Door opens] Something smells good.

Rachel: Oh, my God!

Hi!

I have missed you so much!

[Indistinct conversation] How was your flight?

It was good.

It was long.

It was long.

Rachel Right, you must be exhausted.

I'm going to put these in your room.

So good to see you.

Missed you.

So I want to start actually doing something.

Robert: Campaigning?

Yeah, human rights but specifically women's rights.

Rachel: Ooh, darling, our baby has been radicalized.

That's what comes from consorting with anarchists.

Bruno's not an anarchist.

He's a professor of political science at the University of Santiago.

He's also a very charming young man and extremely handsome.

I look forward to his visit.

Why, so you can deport him?

[Robert chuckles] I don't think he'll be visiting.

You know when people say, "We parted amicably"?

Well, we didn't.

Honey, why didn't you tell me?

Anyway, I've applied to Oxfam, Amnesty, the usual suspects.

What, Dad?

Can't an old man be proud of his daughter?

It's worth trying to make things better.

Ooh, this gravy looks amazing.

What are we toasting?

You want a speech?

Homecoming, the future, making things better.

Viva la revolucion.

Nate: "Upping the ante," Henry said.

What the fuck does that mean?

He's told you?

Hmm?

Polly?

No.

He fucking has.

Tell me.

Well, tell me how much you'll miss me when I'm underground.

I'm intending to forget you immediately.

Tell me.

Tell me, or I'm tipping them.

I'm going to tip them.

3, 2-- Stop.

Stop.

All right.

I'll tell you.

I'll tell you.

I'll tell you, just not yet.

I see.

Oh.

Oh, bloody hell.

Polly: You might have had a mouthful.

You know, we should go over there.

It can be so much more fun.

If I'm bored.

What?

Yeah, it's because you want to go on the-- Oh, hang on.

[Cell phone ringing and vibrating] Oh, I need to get this.

[Bell tolling] Bienvenida, amiga.

OK, so tomorrow, Fox Vintage, I want you to be there at 3:00, OK?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Got it.

[Beep] [Sirens blaring] Leslie: The sheriff's back in town.

I watched your highlights from the Environment Committee.

I think you fracked our undersecretary at least three new assholes.

Bit of an error on my part.

The last thing your party needs is more assholes.

There's a protest-- Planet Resistance.

No doubt you'll have them in the gulag by lunchtime.

Now, Christ, don't start.

The civil disturbance bill?

Fair question--would you really have had Robert push that through if you'd been-- What, not in a coma?

Funnily enough, being car-bombed gave my attitude to national security a somewhat renewed vigor.

Fair answer?

Yeah.

I'd say the memory's pretty vivid for me, too.

I just think there's national security, and there's making peaceful protest a capital crime.

I could be watching "Bargain Hunt."

They want me to visit the Ultra Line site, Planet Resistance.

And they're taking the piss, or are you?

They are a movement with legitimate arguments, and I am the shadow environment secretary.

Not for bloody long, by the sound of it!

[Cars horns honking] Archie: For pity's sake!

Might be quicker on foot from here, sir.

Don't be bloody absurd, Kevin.

[Sighs] What are they clamoring about today--the weather, cricket scores, the price of chips?

[Loud thud] Kiss my tush!

Get out, you!

Right.

[Sirens blaring] [Indistinct conversation] Anna Marshall, as I live and breathe.

Hello, Victoria.

Welcome back.

You look remarkably well, considering.

I'm looking forward to working together.

Oh, you'll be pleased to know government's kept a steady course in your absence, despite the wokerati whining.

Yes, the civil disturbance bill has done wonders for our standing.

A good ship needs a strong compass.

I just hope you'll-- well, I know you weren't due back for a while.

So if it all gets a bit much, be kind to yourself.

I wouldn't want you getting overwhelmed.

This morning, my office was informed that King Zyan is unfit to travel, and the Crown Prince Samir will visit in his place, the question being whether it's true His Highness is circling the royal drain.

Or he's canceling Teesside Green Tech and doesn't want to tell us in person.

Eleanor: All our intelligence suggests that they're being level with us, at least concerning Zyan's health.

Well, if Zyan's sending a deputy, I'm not sure Robert should attend.

Why?

Teesside's a flagship facility, and God knows this government needs a success story.

At this point, Zyan could send his butler, and we'd have an obligation to smile sweetly.

Peter: I think Victoria's point, given the stakes here, is better the devil we know.

So what do we know about Samir?

Eleanor: Cosmopolitan, ambitious, progressive, a ruthless operator, any or all of which may be true.

We don't know his agenda, but we have received a revised security protocol from the embassy, and Samir will now be accompanied at the races by his sister Princess Yadira.

Christ.

The last thing we want to do is piss Zyan off by hobnobbing with the black sheep of the family.

A black sheep who advocates for the rights of women and workers in her homeland.

If we get this wrong, quite apart from Green Tech, what if Zyan gets pissy and pulls the rug on the other major investment, too?

Archie: It is, of course, possible where the Princess is concerned, there's been a rapprochement.

Eleanor: And we've nothing to suggest that Samir has ceased being the favorite son.

Anna: Who one day is going to be king, and we're going to have to do business with him.

We can't possibly afford to brush him off now.

Anna's right.

We host our guests, proceed as planned.

We need the investment.

Henry: At the start, there was about 20 of us, put people in towers, roped in, locked to barrels of concrete.

Bailiffs brought cranes, ripped them off.

Bastards are nothing if not efficient, but we've still got our tunnel.

When they drag us out, I want to make some fucking noise.

Question is, will you be part of the rally here, or is leadership going to slap you down?

They want to fight the government hard on the environment.

They just don't think it makes sense to draw swords over building railways.

Metro Ultra Line isn't being built because it's green.

It's being built because a lot of arseholes are making a mint from it.

The land here can't even take it.

All the old mineworks, year after year of extreme rainfall-- it's riddled.

It's mush.

It's going to destroy the-- Francine Bridge, CBL News.

Did you tell them I was coming?

Do you really think I'd do that?

[Crowd cheering] Samir: I think I was six years old when my father first brought me here.

One of the horses fell.

I wept.

Afterwards, when we returned to the estate, he beat me for one entire hour.

Needless to say, I've always preferred football.

Next time you visit, might I suggest Wembley instead?

Is it for sale?

[Laughter] Oh, geez, are we on?

Yes.

Prince Samir, if I may, I'd like you to come and meet Gerald Kendrick, Condor Aerotech?

I'm sure he'd be delighted for a moment of your time.

Then it behooves me to indulge him.

After you.

Archie: If Samir pulls the investment, I suppose we're in the right place to plug the funding gap.

Stick a monkey on a nag, could be the health budget.

I kindly suggest you lend Victoria a diplomatic hand.

At least it takes me past the Volvos.

It's time.

You look like a man who wishes he was literally anywhere else.

[Coughs] Princess.

Such a pleasure to finally meet you.

Sorry to hear about the King's poor health.

Well, I think we both know he's been a sick man for a long time.

So I gather your daughter's come home.

Yes.

We're very happy.

She's fortunate to have a father she can be proud of.

Well, I wouldn't presume to speak for her on that count.

I see my sister has denied me the privilege of introducing her.

Though not to me, Your Highness.

Princess, your residence here speaks very clearly of the friendship between our two countries.

Well, perhaps in the spirit of that friendship, you might meet with me and the leaders of a group I've been working with advocating for the rights of women.

Oh, it would be our honor.

We can also discuss the-- I believe our hosts are keen to discuss more pressing business.

[Alarm ringing] Father's horse is about to run, and nothing puts me in a more receptive mood than victory.

P.A.

announcer: Stand ready for the 40th annual... [Continues indistinctly] [Crowd cheering] [Man shouts] No deal with the devil!

Bugger and bollocks!

We should go.

[Crowd yelling] Get off!

Get off!

[Cheering] No deal with the devil!

Come on, then.

Get off!

No more blood for oil!

[Exhales] Fucked.

P.A.

announcer: Please sit down.

[Indistinct] [Horses neighing] Woman: I've got it.

[Neighs] It was King Zyan's horse.

On behalf of the United Kingdom, please accept my most complete apologies.

Prime Minister, allow me to address your anxious uncertainty.

My father is a dinosaur.

I am my country's future, and I wish to rule over more than a fossil kingdom.

I wish for progress, peace in the peninsula, and to be at the forefront of clean, renewable energy production with the engine of our sovereign wealth fund.

Despite my father's willful obstinacy, there is no danger to our investment here.

Your Royal Highness, this is a future for both our countries we are more than happy to embrace.

I shall be sure to pass on your commiserations to the King.

I wonder if he'll weep.

[Siren blaring in distance] [Grunts] [Door opens] Got a minute?

I ought to finish this paperwork.

Three down, tomfoolery.

Don't meet the Princess.

I beg your pardon?

I saw her wedging a sandal in your door to gripe about this, that, and the other thing in her country, but as long as this king's still wheezing on the throne, we can't rock the boat.

I can assure you, Victoria, I am more than capable of giving the illusion of a sympathetic ear and a credible smile.

Mm-hmm.

I'd work on the smile, reminds me of my dog when he's rolled in fox shit.

[Door opens] [Door closes] The weather.

You going to leave anything on the rack?

New wardrobe, new me.

Do you know anything about, like, wellness?

Woman: Need any help?

Yeah.

Can I try these, please?

Of course.

Ta.

Thank you.

[Zip zip zip] Stop the car.

Stop the car.

You'll feel much better soon.

Ellie?

Ellie!

[Groaning] [Indistinct conversation] [Moaning] [Cars horn honks] Bridget: Ellie!

[Engine revving] Oscar Unit, code black.

Repeat, I have a code black.

Audrey: The situation at Godley Common has progressed.

The bailiff unit has finished digging, and eviction is due tomorrow.

Finally, some good news.

Not all good.

We have confirmation that Planet Resistance are intending to stage a protest rally during the eviction.

It's a direct challenge to the civil disturbance bill, and we need to meet it with the full array of powers under the bill's provision.

These cretins need to be brought to heel.

The races were a bloody embarrassment.

Well, it certainly won't help Global Britain cut a dash across the world stage.

We can't even keep a lid on the Trots and hippies squawking in our own gaff.

Perhaps Commissioner Millar would like to offer an opinion.

Neil: Well, you can talk about this full array of powers, but for the Planet Resistance Movement, being arrested is not a deterrent.

It's a strategy.

How many are going to turn up?

Thousands, and we're supposed to arrest the lot?

Then stop them coming in.

Roadblock the village.

They'll come through the fields.

We can't fence off the entire-- Well, what's the point in passing bills for law and order if we can't enforce them?

We have to demonstrate authority.

And, with respect, you have to help me find the budget to pull in overtime from three divisions.

Anna: Wait.

The process is happening around the eviction tomorrow?

If the tunnel's dug, why are the bailiffs waiting till tomorrow to go in?

Do it now, for Christ's sake.

Audrey: Well, the issue is, there's heavy rain forecast today.

Do they need umbrellas?

Manner of speaking, yeah, in the sense of additional personnel, equipment, precautionary protocol.

The soonest would be tonight, all at additional cost.

It won't cost more than a huge police deployment, and it pulls the rug from under this rally.

Act with authority.

Minimize confrontation.

Audrey, get it done.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Would you like to keep waiting for Robert or just begin the session?

I'm sorry for this, for my husband.

I just feel like such a bloody fool.

Why, Rachel?

Every time he says that he wants things to be better, I believe him.

[Cell phone rings] Talk of the devil.

Where the hell are you?

Robert, on phone: Rachel, listen to me.

It's about Ellie.

Ellie, welcome to the war.

Eleanor: The shop employee, Polly Wright, is one of the key organizers of the Planet Resistance Movement.

Now, for several months, Ellie's been in contact with her, emphatic in support, wanting to involve herself.

So Ellie just walks away from her so-called protection officer, and you have absolutely no idea where she is?

We believe her intention is to use her profile at the Godley Common eviction rally to maximize exposure.

Anna: Exposure for them, humiliation for us.

Which is what truly matters here.

What matters is that you send some actually competent protection units to find my daughter and bring her home.

Sutherland's kid?

Are you out of your fucking mind?

Pleased to meet you, too.

Told you--something nobody could ignore.

I'm here to help.

Where's Polly?

She's with the police.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

She'll be all right.

They can't hold her for anything.

Well, let's fucking hope not, shall we?

I mean, we can't go down the second tunnel now so we sack it off, right?

She'll make it.

She knew the risk was worth it for our star speaker.

Henry, there aren't going to be any speakers.

The rally's fucked.

I've just come from the site.

There's machines there, a shitload more bailiffs turning up.

They're doing the eviction tonight.

Then we do the same.

Go on the socials.

Get it out there.

Anybody who can come now, come.

I shouldn't be talking to you.

Henry, on phone: Why not?

Because I've just had the holy mother of all bollockings from the whips for associating the party with you all over Sky sodding News.

They're moving the eviction forward.

Wait, they're what?

It's set for tonight.

Tonight?

Yeah, they want to fuck us.

Fuck the whips.

I'll be there.

Nate: There's pigs crawling through the village.

They know she's here.

Ellie: I didn't come here just to be taken home again like some naughty fucking toddler.

I came to speak, to say something, and I still can.

The other tunnel, the one Polly was going to go down, I'll go instead.

No way.

Henry, no fucking way.

It's too dangerous.

She's got no experience.

Oh, sorry, and she's the daughter of the prime minister, for fuck's sake.

No.

We need to put ourselves on the line.

We're crying out for people to pay attention.

They want to stifle us, so we need to scream.

She's right.

Follow me.

Neil: Since we found the bike, she fled on, I have units sweeping Godly Common for her.

Joseph: There is, however, a further issue.

Planet Resistance know about the new eviction plan and are trying to bring their forward, too.

Joseph: My position regarding-- Well understood.

Thank you, Joseph.

Prime Minister-- As is yours.

Joseph's right.

This will not be tolerated.

Set up a ring around the village, and if Planet Resistance people come waving banners and bongos, fucking arrest them.

Is that clear?

Sir.

Henry: It was a smuggler's tunnel couple of hundred years ago.

Now it's ours, right in the path of the machine.

Use this to record your message before you crawl through.

We'll upload it.

Make sure she knows how to use the cave radio.

Ellie, you really sure you want to do this?

I need to do something.

Henry, please.

Nate, we don't have much time.

Come on.

Let's go.

You seal it before I'm back up, I swear to God, I'll dig myself out and bury you.

[Both panting] Anna: In the last few minutes, Planet Resistance has uploaded a video.

They're patching it through now.

Ellie, on recording: My name is Ellie Sutherland.

By the time you see this, I will be deep down a tunnel beneath Godley Common Village in the path of the proposed Ultra Line construction in solidarity with the activists from Planet Resistance, who have bravely spent the last 23 days living underground.

Christ on a bike.

Green transport, at least.

Ellie: I am aware my actions will create significant embarrassment for my father, but I feel fundamentally obligated to make best use of my privilege and profile to demand attention to the crisis facing everyone on this planet, a crisis way beyond the Ultra Line or Godly Common, a crisis to which those in power--including, I am afraid to say, my own father-- continue to pay only lip service, and I need to make it clear, as loudly as possible-- the planet is running out of time, and we are the resistance.

[Cars horn honking] Public cause and in such a manner-- It's Michael for you.

Yes, Michael.

No, absolutely.

It's real.

Yeah.

Come down.

[Both panting] Robert: Audrey, tell me what's happening.

Audrey: The eviction can proceed as planned, but, Prime Minister, extracting early is an entirely new operation.

We'll need substratal mapping before we work out exactly where she is.

We need to take control of this.

Tell the police to coordinate eviction site and permit a small, controlled gathering within Godley Common.

Ellie's made this into world news.

We can't have jackboots on the Village Green...

Yes, yes.

and statement for immediate release.

We need to be clear Ellie will face consequences to the same extent as anyone else, that the government remains committed to the Ultra Line project.

Rachel: Oh, Jesus Christ.

Our daughter's underground, and your priority is a commitment to your train set?

You cannot be in here.

What?

Go on to the flat.

I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

You serious?

Rachel, I need to work.

I need help, and I need you to get out of this room.

Rachel.

Anna: They're starting a press conference.

Get this statement out.

Despite the government bringing this eviction forward in a cowardly bid to try and wrongfoot our peaceful protest and stifle our legitimate voice of dissent, Planet Resistance stands with the people of Godly Common against the wasteful and egregious vanity project of the Metro Ultra Line.

[People chanting] Woman: Are you concerned about the possible consequences for the Planet Resistance Movement?

Henry: The government's cynical disturbance bill already represents a draconian violation of our right to peaceful protest.

Leave it on, yeah, all the time.

Henry will set antenna on the surface.

[Gravel falling] Hope it's worth it.

Nate.

Thanks.

Woman: Given the extraordinary involvement of the Prime Minister's daughter, her actions today surely constitute, by any measure, a shocking escalation.

It's a justified escalation.

OK, guys, one at a time, please.

Joe.

But isn't your group just exploiting the profile of a young woman in order to raise its own?

Absolutely not.

It is about a young woman placing herself underground beneath this village to prevent it from being destroyed by the ill-conceived, wasteful, and dangerous Metro Ultra Line.

Joe: How do you think the Prime Minister is feeling right now?

Well, I doubt he's over the moon.

I would imagine that he's probably profoundly embarrassed and highly anxious, as well he should be because he should be embarrassed by the complacency of his government, and he should be highly anxious about the environmental catastrophe which he-- [Rumbling, crashing] [People scream] What the hell's happening?

[Rumbling] [People screaming] [Rumbling] Audrey.

How long to restore contact?

[People screaming] [Rumbling] Do we have police aerial?

Man, on radio: [Indistinct] to control.

Emergency response, code red.

Ground is--is... [Continues indistinctly] Man, on radio: Are you seeing this?

Major damage to structures.

[Continues indistinctly]