All language subtitles for My.Norwegian.Holiday.2023.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC5.1-[YTS.MX]

- Look, Henrik,
you're a great guy,

but this isn't working
out for me anymore.

I know you've been
through a lot,

but this just isn't
what I signed up for.

- Look, I understand that-

- You need to get
back out there.

Look for a job,
connect with people.

I appreciate you buying
me a plane ticket and all.

Look, ask yourself this.

If Norway is so great, why
haven't you left Minneapolis

and gone home in so long?

Yeah, see that right there?
That face, that's the problem.

You just shut everyone out.

If all Norwegians express
their feelings like you do,

your sister's wedding will
feel more like a wake.

- Okay. Completely reasonable.

- One to go for Jessica Johnson.

- Here.
- That's me.

Oh, um, actually, I.

Oh.

- Mm!

I only drink chai tea.

How do you not know that
after all this time?

- I did order a chai tea, right?

- Um, you did, but that's hers.

- Hello.

- You're Jessica Johnson too?

- I am.

- Okay, that's weird.

- Oddly enough, it is not.

- I'll get you a
new peppermint latte

and your, your bakery items
will be ready in just a minute.

Do you still need that tea?

- It doesn't look like
it. Thanks anyway.

- Yikes.

- Poor guy.

- Hey.
- Hi.

- I'm sorry for the mix up.
- Oh!

- Two Jessica Johnson's,
what are the odds?

- Higher than you think.
It's a common name.

There were actually two
in my kindergarten class,

that's when I
started going by JJ.

Let me help you.

Oh! Oh no!

- Oh! Can I?
- No!

No, please stop helping me,

or whatever it is
you're doing here.

I'm recovering from
a leg injury.

Essentially I'm a mess.

- Thank you.

I teach high school students.

You wanna talk chaos,
drama, and messy breakups,

you're not even in their league.

- Can I buy you a second latte?

Or technically a third one.

- I have to get to school.

It's just.

I hope your day gets better.

Merry Christmas.

- Hey, JJ?

S- sorry! I come
bearing three gifts.

- Uh, like one of the wise men?

- Exactly. Except
for the wise part.

- Is it weird that
you found me here?

It feels borderline creepy.

- There's only one high school,
one block from the cafe.

I definitely know your name,

and a nice group of students
pointed me to your classroom.

- Fair enough.

- First gift.

To help you get
through your afternoon.

- Oh, bless you.

- Second gift.

That's the lemon poppy seed.

- Ah.

So I can have black things
in my teeth all afternoon.

- And give the students
something to talk about.

- Perfect.

- Finally, I found one more.

But I was thinking.

If you were to
change this negative

into a positive, just one
little line right here,

then his answer would be right,

and we could round this D up.

What do you think?

Could we give Wyatt
here a C for Christmas?

My day could really
use the lift.

- Well, technically
the D was a gift.

That better?

- I feel happier already.
- Okay.

Hey, no one remembers
10th grade science.

So you are either a physicist
or a teacher yourself.

- Just a guy who knows
how to use the internet.

Hey, you have a troll!

- And?
- It's from Bergen,

Norway, like me.

- How do you know that?

- It's wearing the Bergen bunad.

The bunad is a traditional
Norwegian dress.

Every region has their own.

And your little
guy is from Bergen.

How did you get it?

- It, um, was my grandmother's.

She always had it
on her nightstand.

Did your
grandmother love Norway?

- I don't think
so. She never went.

- Really?
- Really.

- Hey, can I ask you something?

What were you about
to say earlier?

- Sorry?

- Outside of the cafe, you
started to say something.

- Oh, yeah. Not my circus.

- I know, it's my circus.

- Okay, you just sat
there. She was rough.

You didn't call her
out on any of it.

- No, she wasn't wrong.

And I am in between jobs.

- Okay. She didn't need
to do it in public.

Besides you got her
a ticket to Norway.

A smart move would've been
to take the free ticket

and then dump you.

- You're right. What
was she thinking?

Hm?

- Okay. Merry Christmas.

- Aye yai yai.

Stop doing that.

- You could have the ticket,

the extra plane
ticket to Norway.

It's in your name.

You could spend
Christmas in Bergen.

- I can't pick up
and go to Norway.

- Do you have other
holiday plans?

- Not really. That
is not the point.

- Listen, this isn't
some weird pickup move.

The ticket is non-refundable.

I'd just hate seeing
it go to waste.

We'd say goodbye at
the Bergen airport

and we won't even see each other

for two weeks until we fly back.

You have a troll from, from
Bergen, it feels like fate.

Uh, why are you shaking your
head and not even considering?

- Because I can't go
to Norway with you.

It is out of the question.

- Why not?

- One, you are a
self-confirmed mess.

Two, you're vaguely
in between jobs,

which I'm pretty sure means

you're an international
jewel thief.

Three, I don't believe in fate.

Four, I don't even know you.

- You don't have to know me.

All you have to do is sit
next to me on the plane.

I'll be asleep before,
before we take off.

What are,
what are you doing?

- Here's my number.

My name is Henrik.

Call me when you
change your mind.

Flight's tomorrow on
KLM through Amsterdam.

Back on January 2nd.
I believe in fate.

- Yeah, I still don't.

- I know, but you're gonna
love Bergen at Christmas.

See you tomorrow.
- Oh, no, you won't!

Yes, I will.

We'd love to have
you over for Christmas dinner.

Your lovely wife already
messaged me and I confirmed.

- So you're not taking
the free ticket?

- Go to Norway
with a jewel thief?

I don't even drive out to Lake
Minnetonka, if I can help it.

- Do you hear that?

I'm making dad noises
now when I sit down.

Anyway, you should go to Norway.

- You know I need to
work on my dissertation.

Which reminds me, I
need one more extension.

- JJ, I gave you one extension

to care for your grandmother.

Another extension to
recover from her loss.

But a third.

- You've given three
before to other people.

Remember Larry, the guy
who had two sets of twins?

Besides, it's almost Christmas.

I can't wrap up a
dissertation in two weeks.

- Well, you'll have to or
reapply to the university

and hope the admissions
board accepts you again.

- Merry Christmas, Bill.

JJ, I've
been more than fair.

Can you look me in
the eye and tell me

that you've been focused on
finishing it this semester

or even working on it at all?

Well, then my mind is made up.

Unless, well, there is one way

I might possibly consider
giving you the extension.

- Really? What way?

- You take the ticket and
go to Norway for Christmas.

- Bill, I can't do
that, you know I can't.

- I know you think you can't.

Serious question.

Do you see any irony in the fact

that your dissertation deals
with the polar ice caps

and yet you've never been
anywhere near either pole?

Do you know that Bergen
is the birthplace

of modern meteorology?

Well, it is.

I've always wanted to
visit the university there

and I've always wanted to
see the northern lights.

I'm gonna be a hundred years old

when my last kid leaves home.

I dunno when I'll
get the chance.

So go to Bergen,
send some pictures,

see what fate has
in store for you,

and then you can have your
extension, final offer.

And this takes precedence
over Christmas dinner.

Let me know what you decide.

- You were there.

Do you snore?

Because I will elbow
you if you snore.

Also, I want the window seat.

About that sign with
the question mark.

- Don't worry, we are in Bergen.

That sign ignites much debate.

Some people say it's art.

Others say it's a questionable
way to spend our taxes.

I think it's just
Norwegian humor.

- You really did
sleep the entire way.

- It's my superpower.

Did you get any rest?
- No.

- Why not?

- Physics.

The surface tension of my
body holds up the plane.

- That's an interesting theory.

Have you tested it?
- Yeah, of course.

And the results are clear.

If I stay tense on the plane,
the plane doesn't crash.

Cause and effect.

So I am the reason you're alive.

Now, will you please explain

why I'm carrying all
this duty-free wine?

- Alcohol is very
expensive here.

So it's obligatory to stock up

when you get through an airport.

A national
responsibility, really.

- Okay, got it.

I'm tired and there's my ride.

So goodbye.

- Wait, but may I
recommend the Bybanen?

- The B what?

- The Bybanen. Our
light rail train.

It's significantly
less expensive.

- Can't argue with that.

Okay, here you go.
Enjoy your wine.

Happy wedding. Merry Christmas.

Thank you for the ticket.

And I will see you back
at the gate in two weeks.

Good morning.

- So maybe don't talk to
people on the Bybanen.

Actually, don't talk to
people that you don't know.

See those people?

When social distancing
became a thing

and they told us how to
stand two meters apart,

Norwegians asked,
"Why so close?"

- That more Norwegian humor.

- Attempted humor.
- Mm.

When was the last
time you were home?

Your girlfriend said it's
been quite some time.

- Not my girlfriend, but
yes, it's been a minute.

You know, officially there
are seven hills around Bergen.

There is a debate
about that number.

- Is there anything
you guys do agree on?

- Very little.

But we all use the mountains
to predict the weather.

- How?
- Very simple.

If you can't see the top,
it's because it's raining.

If you can see the top,
it will be raining soon.

- Do you know that man?
- Who?

- Guy over there. He
is staring at you.

- No.
- You didn't even look.

- No, I don't know him.

Here's our stop and
it's a line, let's go.

- Where's your sister?

- Trust me, you will
hear her coming.

- Henrik!

Ah-huh!

Sis!

- Oh! And you must be JJ!

- Nice to meet you.
- Welcome to Norway.

I'm Nora. Hope you
brought an umbrella.

- Oh.
- Oh,

I like the look of you.

I like that you're with Henrik.

- Okay, clarification.
I'm not with Henrik.

I'm just helping
him carry this wine.

Soon as I give you these
bags, I am going to my hotel.

- Okay, very good.
Where are you staying?

- At The Viking.
- Okay.

- What? What, what's
wrong with the Viking?

- Nothing. It's just far.

I'll tell you what.

Come to my soon-to-be
stepdaughter's Christmas show.

It's right down the street.

And after, I'll drive
you to The Viking.

- I don't wanna intrude.
I can just get a taxi.

- Yes, you could, but you're
in Norway at Christmas

and this is a St. Lucia show.

If you haven't seen
it, you should.

Oh, you have to come, she has
been practicing for weeks.

She has a solo.

- Oh. Ah!

After that you will
take me to the hotel?

- And after that I will
take you to the hotel.

But we have to
hurry, we're late.

Come on! Limp faster!

- You said Norwegians
are reserved.

- I know. Nora lived in
Spain for three years.

It did her irreparable damage.

- Definitely is not
what we agreed on.

- I know my sister is a
tornado, but it's a cute show.

And my niece, Mia, is adorable.

A taste of Norwegian culture.

Please come with us.

- Hi!
- Hi! Good to see you.

- Marc, this is JJ.

Marc, my fiance- - Hi, hi.

- And Mia's mom, Sara.

- Hi!

- St. Lucia legends
started in Italy,

but Norway adopted her and
we put our own spin on it.

- That's Mia, at the
front in the center.

- She's adorable.

- I haven't seen
her in two years,

since they came to
visit me in Switzerland.

- What were you
doing in Switzerland?

- Working.

- A lot of priceless
art in Switzerland.

Not anymore.

♪ St. Lucia

♪ St. Lucia

- Go, Mia!

That was very cute.

- Mia was the best, of course.

- Of course.

Uncle Henrik!

- That's a JJ.

- Hi, Mia. You were so good.

- I'm learning English
now and you're horrible.

I'm coming back. Save me
that seat next to you.

- Okay, but you can
leave those here.

Aw!

- I know.

- So how long have you
and Henrik been together?

- Oh, we're not together.

I just have the same name
as his ex-girlfriend,

so I took her plane ticket.

That's it.
- How did you meet

- Mm, at a cafe.

He took my order, then
he spilled my coffee.

Then he proceeded to knock my
tests all over the sidewalk,

and then he barged
into my classroom.

- Barged!
- He is something.

- Totally own brand.

This is why no one
really likes Henrik.

- I like him.

- Doesn't count.
You like everyone.

- So where you staying
while you're in town?

- Oh, at The Viking.

You all make the same face
when I mention The Viking.

- I have an absolutely
brilliant idea.

You can stay with
our grandmother.

She lives in an adorable house

only a few blocks from our dad's
house where Henrik will be,

even though you don't like him.

- Ah.
- And she's in.

You are welcome to stay.
- Hang on.

- Wait, wait, wait.

You just texted our
grandmother and she responded?

The same grandmother that has
never figured out her remote.

- Our grandmother has
entered the digital age.

- Hang on, please.

You are all very kind,
but I don't even know her.

- Just think of it
as staying in a B&B.

And she has screaming-fast wifi.

- Okay, so Henrik told me
not to talk to people here,

and said that Norwegians
can be slow to warm to you.

And now you are inviting
me to stay with a stranger?

- Tell her.
- Okay.

Well, the truth is, The
Viking is up a steep drive.

It has no public transportation.

- It routinely fails
health inspections.

- And the power goes out a lot.

- What's your
grandmother's name?

You're sure
you don't want dinner?

- So sure. Just a pillow.

Okay, how much should I be
paying your grandmother?

- Paying?
- Paying, yeah.

Nora said to think of it as a
bed and breakfast situation.

- Yes, my grandmother has a bed

and breakfast in the morning.

How do you feel about asbabal?

- Mm, dubious,

but admittedly a little curious.

Henrik, I don't feel right
about staying here for free.

- Find a way to
feel right about it.

My grandmother will be insulted

if you even suggest paying her.

Don't your feet get cold?

- Oh, a little.

- You got old.
- You didn't.

This is JJ.

JJ, Astrid, my bestemor.

- It's nice to meet you.

Thank you so much for
letting me stay with you.

- Are you hungry?

- I'm okay. Thank you.

- JJ just wants to crash.

She can't sleep on planes,
like some people we know.

- Probably because she
has thoughts in her head,

unlike some people we know.

You will show her to
the front bedroom.

- Mm!

- Come down to breakfast
in the morning.

- Thank you so much.

- Good night.

Are you sure she's
okay with me being here?

- I'm sure.

That is one delighted
Norwegian in the living room.

Besides, look, she's
got you covered.

- Oh. Great, somewhere
for me to work.

Okay, first question.

What did you call Astrid?

- My bestemor. Grandmother.

It literally translates
to best mother.

- Hm, I love that.
Second question.

Why are there two duvets
on the bed like that,

instead of one big one?

- That right there is the secret

to happy Norwegian marriages.

Everyone gets their own duvet.

- Genius.

- All right, sleep well.

- Matching duvets.

They should call 'em two-vets.

Stop doing that.

- You made a joke.

- A little one.

- No, that was solid
Norwegian humor.

Not even one day in Bergen
and you're getting funnier.

- Be gone.
- I'm going.

But you know I'm right.

- Go.

- Know I'm right.

- Good morning, Astrid.

I had every intention of
helping with breakfast,

but your guest room is so
cozy and it was still so dark,

I think my brain
outvoted my body.

- Yes, this time of year
the sun doesn't join us

until almost 10:00.

- Thank you.

- Have you had brunost
before? Brown cheese?

- No, I have not.

- It is a mixture of
goat milk and cow milk.

- Hmm.

Hm.

Mm!
- It's an acquired taste.

- Um, Astrid, could
you help me with this?

Apparently my grandmother
visited Norway

and bought this troll.

I didn't even know
it was from Bergen

until Henrik recognized
the, um, ba boo?

- Bunad?
- Bunad, yes, yes!

It was special to
my grandmother,

so I wanna track
down where it's from,

even though it has
been many decades.

- And you can no longer ask her?

I see.

- As far as I know,
she didn't travel.

And our big vacation
every summer

was renting a cabin
on the Lacs Lake.

When I asked her about the
troll, she just brushed me off.

Oh, that is beautiful.

- It's a krumkake.

Please, come try.

Just pour in a little.

So you want to find out

why your grandmother
was here, if you can?

- Exactly.

- Oh, trolls are more
for tourists than local,

so I recommend
starting in Bryggen.

- Bryggen? That's a store, or?

- Bryggen is a shopping street.

- Oh!
- Go out my door,

take a right, head down the
hill until you see water.

Bryggen will be right
there at the harbor.

- Thank you.
- Okay, get ready.

Oh, there, you got it!

- Thank you.

- Now roll it.

- Mm-hmm.

Very good.

- All right.
- Uh, two down.

- And how many to go?
- 198.

Oh!

I thought you're serious.

- Hmm. Most of our
merchandise is made in bulk.

This is hand-carved.

- Any idea where else to try?

- There are a few carvers
in town you could ask.

There is always one at the
Christmas market, for sure.

- Thank you.

- Good morning.
- Hi!

- How's the troll-hunting?

- Yeah, not great.

That was my third shop
and still no luck.

Want to see something cool?

These were waiting on
my shoes this morning

and I can confirm my
toes are quite toasty.

- Oh, she really likes you.

- Oh!
- Those are hand-made.

- Well, I like Astrid too.

I'm gonna go shopping
for some socks of my own

so I can return these to her.

- No?
- No.

Yeah, you can buy more but
do not give those back.

That's a gift to wear forever.

Like you should plan to
be buried in those socks.

- I'll add it to my will.

- "Hello, Henrik.

This is Astrid, your
grandmother texting you.

You'll buy food for dinner."

- I kind of adore her.

Man is staring at you.

- No, he isn't.
- Yes, he is.

Think he just took your picture.

Did you steal a Picasso
from him by any chance?

- Actually, I think
it was a Monet.

Come, we need to buy
food for our dinner.

- Our?

- Dinner is at my grandmother's
where you'll be staying.

So you're invited and I
want you to meet my father.

His name is Johan.

- I feel like I'm
crashing your family time.

- Don't be weird.

- Can't make that promise.

You see everything you
need there, Henrik?

- So who is Bill?

- If you really wanna know,

he is the barista at the
cafe, checking up on us.

- Seriously?
- No.

Bill is my department chair.

- At the high school.

- At the University
of Minnesota.

I'm finishing my PhD there.

I was only substitute
teaching this semester.

Bill has always wanted
to come to Norway.

He's got a bunch of kids,

so it's not really in the
cards for him right now.

- So you're sending him
pictures. That's so kind.

- Actually, I'm kind of
mad at him. Let's walk.

- What do you mean?

- It's a long story.

- We have a long walk.

- We do?

- No, but it's uphill, so
let's hear more about Bill.

- What did he say?

- Don't worry about it.

- Was that related to the people

that were staring at you?
- Yes.

- You wanna tell me about it?
- No.

- I told you about Bill.
- Not the same.

- Well, since Astrid
has screaming-fast wifi,

maybe I could just Google
you when I get back.

- Please don't.

It won't make any sense
to you out of context.

I'll tell you when we
get back, I promise.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

- And she made me wait five
days before she said yes.

- I was waiting on his
background check to clear.

- Is it customary to have a
wedding so close to Christmas?

- No, that is Henrik's fault.

- Marc and I were supposed to
get married over a year ago,

but his leg injury
sidelined him.

- So we've been
postponing and postponing

until he was well
enough to travel.

- Okay, so the wedding
is on the 23rd?

- Mm-hmm.

- And then do I have this right,

you celebrate the
holiday on Christmas Eve?

- We begin celebrating
on Christmas Eve,

but we continue all week.

- By the 26th we're
kind of over it,

but we start right
after Thanksgiving,

which is great because
I love Christmas.

What's funny?

- The word love. It
just reminded us.

We were discussing last
night how hard English is

for your word love.

- What's hard about love?

- You use the same
word for everything.

You love chocolate,
you love your friends.

- You love those shoes
in the store window.

You love the same man you've
been married to for 30 years.

- Okay.

- So in Norway we have
different kinds of words

for different kinds of love.

- Yeah. I-if I love
Taylor Swift's music,

I would say, Taylor Swift.

What? I'm a Swifty.

I mean, who isn't?

- If, uh, I wanted to
tell a friend I love them,

I would say.

- And what about your partner?

- We have a third way.

You would say,

but that's very special.

People don't say it often.

- Some people don't
say it at all.

- I said it once.

I'll let you know
if anything changes.

- So how long have you
and Henrik been dating?

- Oh, we're not dating.

I have the same name as his
ex-girlfriend, Jessica Johnson.

So when they broke up, he
gave me her plane ticket.

- You and Jessie were dating?

- No, we weren't dating.

- What? I literally watched
her break up with you.

- No, you watched her
quit. She was my assistant.

I hired her to run
errands, drive me to PT.

You heard her finally get
sick of me and resign.

- You let me believe that
she was your girlfriend.

That's it, I take it back.

I no longer like
this man at all.

- To my, uh, persistently
disagreeable little brother.

- Da!

Skol!

- Okay, JJ, it's time for you

to try my
grandmother's favorite,

so you can see the dark
side of life in Norway.

- Is that black licorice?
- Mm!

- Covered in salt, JJ.

- Be afraid.

- Go big. Or go home.

Mm.

- It's an acquired taste?

Mm-hmm.

- Okay, it's time
to settle this.

Ooh!

- JJ, this is julebrus,
Christmas soda.

Every region in Norway
makes their own.

- And there's great
debate in this family

as to which is the best one.

- There's no debate.

There's Hansa
julebrus from Bergen,

and then there are
the lesser versions.

- Okay, so we're taste-testing?

- We are, and they
will be proven wrong.

The best is EC Dahls from
Trondheim. My stomping ground.

- Okay, first one, let's go.

Skol!

- Oh!

Mm.

- Acceptable. But
it's not Hansa.

- Are you sure?

- That is definitely Hansa.

- Mm-mm.

Get ready
for the next one!

Skol!

- Oh yeah, quality. Hansa.

Hansa 100%.
- Is it?

- That is almost undrinkable.

- It's Hansa.

I agree. I agree.

You are undrinkable.

- The university isn't far.

I wanna go take a
picture for Bill.

He says Bergen is the birthplace

of modern weather forecasting.

I can come
with you if you want.

- Yeah, thank you.

What exactly are you
trying on in there?

- My suit.

I've grown a bit over the
years on muscle, of course.

I needed some alterations
for the wedding.

I wanted to try it on.

What do you think.
It's okay, yeah?

- Yeah, yeah. All good.

Is that for Bill?

- No.

- So what does one do
with a meteorology degree?

- Lots of stuff, actually.

At first I wanted
to be on the news.

Good
evening, I'm Jessica Johnson.

A sudden cold air
mass from the Arctic

will create a weather whiplash,

dropping temperatures
down below zero overnight.

Oh, who am I kidding?

This is Norway, you guys
are gonna go outside

no matter what.

- You're a natural.
- Oh, well, thank you.

After that, my plan sort
of shifted to research.

My paper is titled,

"Assessing outcomes of
stratospheric aerosol injections

in the polar regions."

- You lost me at outcomes.

Oh.

I just don't know if
research is my calling.

I subbed high school
physics last semester.

I was grieving the
loss of my grandmother,

so at first it gave me a
reason to get up every morning.

Turns out I really enjoyed it.

- Ah! Sorry.

- Come here. Tell
me about those boys.

- You are right, I'm a thief.

But I didn't steal
paintings or jewelry,

I stole Bergen's dreams.

They say most Norwegians
are born wearing skis.

I was no exception.

A lot of people here prefer
cross country skiing.

Not me. Downhill
as fast as I could.

- Adrenaline.
- Adrenaline.

I was really good as a junior.

So much promise.

My plan, no, the
whole town's plan

was to bring Olympic
gold home to Bergen.

- So what happened?

- I finished sixth
in the super-G.

The heartbreaker
in the downhill,

I missed the bronze medal by
four hundredths of a second.

- I mean still, that
is actually amazing.

- But not a medal.

Yes, I know how that sounds.

So I trained harder and harder

and I knew I would get
another shot at it.

- I feel like this is the part
that explains the limping.

- I was at the World Cup
leading after the first round.

There was a big jump at the end.

I lost control going
130 kilometers an hour.

It was an epic wipe-out.

A lot of,

a lot of people thought I
wasn't going to make it.

I've never even
watched the video.

Anyway, my leg was
the worst injury.

Pins, rods, blades.

I've been in the states
for almost two years,

seeing specialists, recovering.

Now there's all this pressure
to climb my way back,

but my leg will never
be that strong again.

And my head's not there.

I'm letting everyone down.

I'm dreading bumping into
my old coach. Anders.

Or anyone from my old team.

My leg won't support
me running from them

with pitch forks and torches.

- Thank you for telling me.

- I dunno what I'm
going to do with myself.

Downhill racing is all I know.

- Well, have you ever considered

a career modeling traditional
Norwegian couture?

- Ah! "Hello, Henrik.

This is Astrid, your
grandmother texting you.

You and JJ will bring home
the Christmas tree today."

- I appreciate her thoroughness.

Let's get her a tree.

And then I need to get
to work on my paper.

Come on.

This one's nice.

Hmm.

- Not a great crown.

I have to admit, I'm a
little disillusioned.

- Oh, about our trees?
- No, no.

I just thought we'd trek
up into the mountains

and chop down our own.

- Oh, those belong to our
grandchildren and their children.

Most of us buy them
precut from farms.

Hey, how about this one?

- Hang on a sec.

What could you
tell me about this?

- Oh, it's very old.

I don't think this was
done by a professional.

Most carvers put
initials or a symbol

on the bottom perhaps,
but there's nothing.

I'm sorry.

- Hi.

- How is the paper coming along?

- I'm making real progress.

I'm also going
slightly cross-eyed

and I'm very vulnerable
to an alternative offer.

- Let's go.

We call it morning
gave. Morning gift.

- Huh!
- Brides and grooms

give each other something

on the morning of their wedding.

Usually jewelry.

- That is a very
sweet tradition.

- But Marc's not much
of a jewelry guy,

so probably not
something for every day.

He grew up on a farm,
so he's practical,

even by Norwegian standards.

- What about something
like this pocket watch?

- That's very handsome.

- It's nice because it's not
an everyday piece of jewelry.

- Yeah, you could tell him

it's because you met him
at exactly the right time.

Oh, you're good.

I have a big secret.
- Huh!

- I'm wearing my
mother's wedding dress

and I'm going to
my final fitting.

Want to keep me company?

- So if Marc is from up
north, how did you two meet?

Because I dated
the wrong guy first.

- Him!
- Oh yes, him.

We all know him. Mine
was from Barcelona.

He was relentlessly passionate.

"Nora, you are my
life, my oxygen."

But when I needed him.

- Let me guess.
Nowhere to be found.

- Exactly.

So I moved back to
Norway, swore off men

for the rest of my life.

I took a job in Trondheim and
promptly had a car accident.

- Were you okay?
- I was fine.

Okay. Brace yourself.

- Wow!

- You're sure it's a wow dress?

- It's a wow dress and
you are a wow bride.

- Thank you.

So I ended up in
hospital scared.

I borrowed a phone from a nurse
and I tried to text my dad,

but in my craziness, I
reversed two of the numbers

and I got a "Who's
this?" message back.

- Oh, no.
- Oh, yes.

I left a terribly sad feeling
so sorry for myself message

on a stranger's phone.

I texted an apology,
but no response.

An hour later, this
gorgeous man shows up

with a soft blanket,
a book, warm socks.

And that was Marc.

He stayed with me and
then he drove me home.

I thought, "If he's this kind

to a stranger," right?

I realized love is a verb.

It's what you do,
not what you say.

Words are nice, but don't
date a Norwegian man

if you want to hear,
"You are my oxygen."

So have you noticed Henrik
doesn't limp when he's with you?

- He does.

- I think he's healing inside

and it's helping
him on the outside.

- Possibly.

I just wish he felt better
about being in Bergen.

- Funny you mention that.

- Three more on that row.
- Yeah, three?

- Mm.
- Okay.

- I got your text.

Wait, what are you doing?

- Astrid is teaching
me how to knit.

- And how's that going?

- Well, I am making something
vaguely sock-shaped.

- She will learn.
- I will learn.

- Why do you need
to go to Tretten?

- Oh, uh, Nora asked me
to run an errand there,

but said it can
be tricky to find.

- Sure, I can walk
you there now.

- Yeah.

Nora said the
owner's giving them

a really nice bottle of wine.

She's gotta be five
places at once,

so I offered to
pick it up for her.

- My sister's pulling you
into the wedding chaos.

I knew that would
happen.

- Why, thank you.

- You're welcome, JJ.

Nora says nice things about you.

- Aw.

- They said Henrik Strom
came back to Bergen,

but I didn't believe them.

- Don't worry, I'll handle this.

Hey, guys, JJ was
just about to leave.

- She leaves when
we say she leaves.

- Henrik, it's time for you
to pay for your decision.

No! I mean pay, as in money.

You owe everyone
in here a drink.

- At least one.

Look at your face.
Come on, we get it.

You jacked up your leg.

I don't blame you
for calling it quits.

- Well, Carl here does,

but that's because he's
deeply in need of therapy.

Skiing is therapy.

- Welcome to my bachelor party.

It's two days until the wedding.

Plenty of time to recover
from tonight's damage.

My dear.
- Oh.

- Thank you. You
were impeccable.

- Oh!
- You knew?

You were in on it?

- I couldn't have
done it without her.

You wanna stick around
and, uh, watch this unfold?

- Absolutely not.

No, I am going Christmas
shopping and troll hunting.

Have fun.
- Thank you.

- All right, the first
round is on Henrik.

- Yay!
- And then the second round

is on Henrik too!
- Yay!

- Brother, it's good
to have you back.

Yeah!

It's not exactly
great craftsmanship.

- Yes, I agree.

It, it looks like the
work of a beginner.

- There's no logo or anything.

- Hmm. Look on this ridge, it.

Does that look like three A's?

- It does. Good eye!

Okay, three A's. Does
that ring any bells?

- The carver community here
in Bergen is quite small

and I'd know of someone
who used those initials.

- But still, it's
something. A clue.

- Hm.
- Thank you so much.

- It's my pleasure.

- I'm sorry. Do
you speak English

- A little.

Can I help you with anything?

- I'm okay, thank you.

- Hm.

- My name is JJ.

Um. I'm a PhD
candidate in Minnesota.

I'm in Bergen for two
weeks, so I just thought.

- Would you like a tour?

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

So this is main campus

and we'll go inside this way.

They doing all kinds
of cool research here,

including- - You're gonna say

jet stream studies, aren't you?

- That is exactly
what I'm gonna say.

I told them about
your work, and Bill,

they wanna meet with you, maybe
even discuss a sabbatical.

- JJ.
- I know, but come on.

I think your kids
would love it here.

- Okay. I'll think about it.

Oh, sounds like they're
getting up early.

Hmm, I usually get a half
hour vacation in the mornings.

It's 6:00 AM here. I'll
talk to you later, okay?

Okay. Bye.

It's alive. It's alive.

Oh!

- Recovery was
easier 10 years ago.

- Mm, everything was
easier 10 years ago.

- That is undeniable. Thank you.

- So do your teammates
still love you?

And I mean, the
second kind of love,

not the Taylor Swift music kind.

- They do, especially
after I spent enough

on food and alcohol to purchase
a small villa in France.

I have to brave
the grocery store.

My grandmother is
making a blotkake.

It's a custom to bring
cakes to wedding receptions.

- Oh, that is a custom
I fully endorse.

- Mm.
- Wait,

do you also do
wedding cakes too?

- Yes. But not like
you're thinking.

It's a kransekake.

It has stacked rings and
the bride puts her hands-

- Yeah.

- Henrik. I heard
you had come home.

- This is JJ. JJ,
Anders, my coach.

- Hi. Nice to meet you.

- Please, uh, send my
congratulations to your sister, huh?

- I will.

I was happy to hear that
you're still coaching.

- Oh, life is funny sometimes.

- What is with you and chance
meetings in coffee shops?

On a positive note,

he didn't have a
pitchfork or a torch.

- Anders is a good
man, great skier.

Even a better coach.

He, uh, he's so
calm, kind of zen.

He always carries
this little rune

that he rubs when one
of us is competing.

He reached out to me over
and over, but I ignored him.

I, uh, I didn't
know what to say.

- I used to watch
my grandmother bake.

I wasn't much help,
so I did the cleanup.

- You don't speak
of your mother.

- She was sick as a child.

It echoed through
her whole life.

She never should have had me,

but I think she wanted to leave
something behind, you know?

She passed away
when I was little.

I like to believe
I remember her.

I think I do.

Anyway, my grandmother
took care of me

and when the time came,
I took care of her.

- As it should be.

- She was always there for me.

- It sounds like you have
a vacancy in your life.

- Yeah, I guess I do.

- Then I have decided.

I am your bestemor now,

if you'll have me.

- Of course.

Astrid, I have a new
clue in my troll mystery.

The wood carver at
the Christmas market

found three tiny initials.

A A A. What?

What does that mean?

- An old friend who
lives in Mount Floyen

might know something.

- Astrid. Please, come in.

- Pedo Anders.

Hi.

So please, take a seat.

Can I get you
something to drink or?

- No, thank you, Anders.

This is JJ.

- Oh yes, of course.

Henrik introduced us
this morning. Forgive me.

- Oh, no worries.

- So how can I help?

I was intrigued by your
cryptic message, Astrid.

- I like texting.

So JJ has been staying with me.

Besides finishing her PhD

and bringing Henrik
back to life,

she has been trying
to solve a mystery.

- Well, if I can
help, by all means.

- Okay, um, when I met Henrik,

he commented on this little
troll I keep on my desk.

He said it was from Bergen.

I told him it was impossible.

It was my grandmother's
dearest possession,

and she hadn't been to Bergen.

In fact, she hadn't
traveled at all.

- Hm.

- But then I found a
picture of her in Bergen.

She passed away recently,

so there's no way for me.

I am sorry, that's a
lot of information.

- No, no, no. I'm,
I'm, I'm following.

So, are you trying to find out

where she got the troll
or why she came to Bergen?

- Both.

Astrid thinks you
might know something.

- This forest was your
grandmother's favorite spot,

which is why I carved her that
troll from a piece of spruce

that I found right over there.

- So the three A's, that's you.

- Anders Alf Anderson.

My parents were a
little, uh, dramatic.

That was my first and last
attempt at woodcarving.

You must have so many questions.

- Yeah, what was
she doing in Bergen?

- Well, her second cousin
was here with two children

and a third on the way,
and she was on bedrest.

So Florence had just
finished high school,

so she came over to help out.

- And how did you two meet?

Well, it was
not love at first sight.

No, I was biking
across Rallarvegen,

and Florence was out for a
walk with the two children

when the older one, who I
think was maybe four years old,

suddenly ran out right
in front of my bike.

- Oh no.
- Yeah.

So I swerved, I fell, of course.

And then I made the
mistake of yelling at her

to look after her
children better.

- Oh!
- That was,

it was a miscalculation
on my part.

- She could be spicy.

- She was magnificent.

And before long we
became inseparable.

I felt it would last forever.

But I had to leave
for military service,

which was mandatory back then.

And Florence went home.

So after that I competed
around the world

and by the time I
got back to Bergen,

her cousin had moved away.

This was before the
internet, of course.

So I wrote some letters,
but I never heard a reply.

But I am happy that
she had a good life.

A granddaughter that she
obviously loved so much.

And I am delighted

that she kept my troll
for all those years.

- Anders, when did my
grandmother leave Bergen?

- That is easy. I gave her
the troll for Christmas.

So she left on the
2nd of January, 1968.

- My mother was born
on July 15th, 1968.

- I-I have a daughter?

- She passed away
many years ago.

I'm the only one left.

- But she, she was mine, yes?

What was her name?

Why did Florence never tell me?

Wait, that, that means that you-

- I can't answer
questions right now.

This is too much. Um.

I'm sorry. I'm gonna walk back.

- It's a long way.
The vehicle is faster.

- I wanna walk.

- Where's JJ?

Why wouldn't
your grandmother tell coach?

- Well, it was
different times, right?

1968 in Minnesota.

Being a single mom is hard,
even more so back then.

All the more
reason to tell him.

- Do you think he could
be my grandfather?

- Timing works. How
would that feel for you?

- I've gotten so used to
the idea that I am alone.

- Turns out I could have
family right here in Bergen.

It's crazy.

- Or it's fate.

- What's up?

- I want you to put on
your warmest clothing.

- It's midnight.

- Just do it and come outside.

What are we doing here?

It's beautiful, but my two-vet
was extremely comfortable.

- Just wait.

- Some kind of Viking ritual.

- Well, most Viking rituals

involve large
quantities of alcohol,

which I have sworn
off since last night.

- Isn't your sister getting
married later today?

- At which time I'll be
swearing back onto it.

Look. Look, here they come.

- The northern lights!

- Seeing them in Bergen
is like a Christmas gift.

I checked the meteorology report

and I saw there might
be a show tonight.

I wanted you to see it.

- Thank you.

- I thought since we're
both feeling a bit lost,

the lights might
help us find our way.

- How long can we stay?

- As long as you want.

- I'm having a wardrobe crisis.

I didn't bring anything
for a formal dinner,

let alone a Christmas wedding.

This is as good as I've got.

Do you think Nora
will kick me out?

- No. But perhaps you would
like to wear this instead?

- Is this your bunad?

- It was mine.

But these past few
years I believe

it has shrunk in my closet.

Closets
can be tricky like that.

- Maybe it will fit you?

I will wear my mother's bunad.

Most of us will wear traditional
clothing for the ceremony.

Then we change for dinner.

- But is it okay
for me to wear it?

- Of course.

- I mean culturally.

I don't wanna act like
I'm suddenly Norwegian

and can wear a
traditional dress.

- It is fine.

Perhaps you are
suddenly Norwegian.

- Is it kind of embarrassing

that we're wearing
the same outfit.

Are you thinking about Mom?

- Yeah. I do every day.

- Look at you!

- Eh! Group photo.

Oh!

- Come on.
- Yeah.

Merry Christmas.

All of us! Come in here.
- Oh!

Oh!

You look just like her.

Beautiful.

- Don't make cry already.

We haven't even gotten
to the church yet.

What do you think?
- What happens now?

- Marc will arrive and
then he'll propose to Nora.

Propose? I thought
it was a done deal.

Do you mean this
could still go south?

- We'll see.
- Come on.

- Wow. What did I
do to deserve you?

Nora, will you marry me?

- Hmm? Anything you'd
like to add to that?

- No. Uh, no, that
pretty much sums it up.

- Nora? Please say yes.

- Should I?

- Babe, yes or no.

Any longer on this knee and
I'll be walking like Henrik.

Then
by popular vote.

Yes, I will marry you.

Yay!

- And in conclusion,
as I said before,

welcome Marc, we're
glad you're here.

Uh, uh. And we're
glad you're family.

And, and we're glad you're going
to make Nora happy forever.

Uh. I'm done.

You can clap now.

Skol!

- Thank you, Papa.

I can't keep climbing on
chairs in these shoes.

- We do this kissing
thing back at home,

but we tend to stay
on ground level.

- Norwegians like to add an
element of danger to everything.

It's in our Viking blood.

- Good afternoon,
everybody. Thanks, Papa.

I knew my father would
be hard to follow

and I was right.

I had a hard time
following any of it.

When Marc first approached
me about marriage,

I was flattered, but I
couldn't do that to my sister.

Then I found out that he
wanted me to be his best man.

So I was relieved.

And if I'm being honest,
just a bit disappointed.

- Okay everybody, it's time.

- There are 18
rings on the cake.

The number of rings
that break off

predicts the number of
children she'll have.

- Eight!
- Yeah, this cake

is obviously defective.

Everybody!

Skol!

- I'm so full from dinner,
I don't have room for cake.

- There's a rule
with the cake table,

you don't stop when you're full.

You stop when you're ashamed.

- Let me smell it.

- I am stealing my
brother for a dance.

- But I haven't
had any cake yet.

- I'm sure there will
be plenty leftover.

- Save me some, okay?

♪ Raise your glass and
drink to the fun, oh ♪

♪ Now everyone just

♪ Ring out the bells

♪ Let's just keep
the night rockin' ♪

♪ 'Til Santa comes knockin'

♪ All around the world

♪ There'll be
mistletoe kissin' ♪

♪ Everyone's wishin' on
a star leading the way ♪

♪ From here to New Year's
Day, let's celebrate ♪

- Oh, this is the most fun

I've ever had at a wedding.

And now you have
another grandson.

- Marc became my family

the day he helped my
Nora in the hospital.

Just like you are
my family now too.

- I've never been a part
of a big family before.

I think I like it.

- Bergen suits you.

- Hm, you might be right.

- Of course I'm right.

- Thank you for solving
my troll mystery

and for taking me to see Anders.

Thank you for not pressuring
me to talk to him.

- You will when you're ready.

But we already know you have
something in common with him.

- What's that?

- You both loved
the same person.

In a way that makes
you family already.

- In the interest
of full disclosure,

I think I'm falling in
love with your grandson.

- He's an acquired taste.

- Do you believe
in fate, Astrid?

- Of course.

- My mother's name was Andrea.

I think she was named for you.

- Who wants some more glug?

- There it is.

- Five o'clock. It's
officially Christmas time.

- Not quite. We're
still missing one thing.

Papa!

- Now it's officially
Christmas time!

Ho, ho.

- Everyone, we have a visitor.

Everyone.

- I brought some Christmas
treats for everyone.

- Oh, you're very kind.

Please, sit.
- Thank you.

And I have something
for you too, JJ.

When Florence was here, she
was learning how to knit

but she wasn't very good.

- Apparently that
runs in the family.

Yeah. So she,
she didn't know how to stop.

- Oh!
- But she was too proud

to ask for help.

- Yes, that sounds
exactly like her.

- She gave this to
me for Christmas

and I've kept it
all these years.

And now I want to pass it
along to her granddaughter.

To our granddaughter.

- Thank you, Anders.

We don't know for sure that
I am your granddaughter.

- I wanted to speak about that.

I mean, I am willing to
take a DNA test if you want,

but I don't need to.

- I don't need one either.

I choose you to
be my grandfather.

Aw.
- It's settled.

I am your bestefar.

- You know what?

I actually have a little
something for you.

Oh.

- I think it's time for my
grandmother's troll to come home.

- Oh!

Thank you.
- Mm.

- And now maybe it is time

for you to come home too.

It's the key to the downstairs
apartment in my house.

If you want to,
you can stay there

while you finish writing
your dissertation.

- That won't be necessary.

JJ already has a
home here in Bergen.

- You are offering
her a room, Astrid,

I am offering her
an entire apartment.

- Are you including breakfast?

- She makes a good
point there, Anders.

- Well, I-I am willing
to negotiate breakfast.

- Here she doesn't need a car.

She can walk to town.

- Yeah, from my house she
can walk to a troll forest,

and, and I can teach
her how to ski.

- Oh!
- True.

But if she lives here, you
can still teach her to ski.

- Henrik. May I have a word?

- Now is a good time for
everyone to clean my kitchen.

Okay.

You're getting
the pots and pants.

- Henrik. Henrik, Henrik!

I have a gift for you also.

- Coach, I don't think I
deserve anything from you.

- Who do you think is
mad at you Henrik? Hmm?

It's not me. It's not the team.

It's not your family.

We all respect your decision.

The only person who's
mad at you is you.

Please.

She gave it to me, you know.

Florence. JJ's grandmother.

You know when you,
when you fell at the Cup,

I- I can still see it
when I close my eyes.

I haven't retired

because I have been waiting
for you to come home,

to join the coaching
team, to take my place.

- Coach, I-

- There is no one that
I would trust more,

but I need you to
trust yourself.

- I watched the video of my fall

at the World Cup
after Anders left.

- You did?

- Yeah, it's all over TikTok.

- Huh, there you go.

There are all kinds of
ways to become famous.

- You know, I've been so
consumed with my recovery,

I never thought what that
was like for my coach,

to see that and
then I shut him out.

- Do you think that coaching
would set things right for you?

- I think it might.

Like I'm repaying
my debt to Bergen.

Especially if the Norway
men sweep all five golds

at the next Olympics.

- I know you'll do it.

- But I have a bigger issue.

I'm thinking of following
a woman to Minnesota.

- Oh, no!

- It's a significant problem,

right?
- Yeah!

And what if that woman was
to stay here in Bergen,

but she is rumored to have
several housing options.

- Staying in Bergen
would be my first choice.

- If I didn't know better,

I would say that this is
starting to feel like fate.

- It's a good thing you
don't believe in fate.

- Good thing.

What's this?

- For Christmas.

- But you already gave me socks.

- Consider this a bonus gift.

It's the northern light crystal.

In case you ever
feel lost again,

you'll know where home is

and how much you are loved.

- Which kind of love
are we talking about?

- The third kind.

- Oh!
- Of course.

- And you will advise
me if that ever changes.

- You'll be the first to know.

- Ha!

This man is about to kiss me.

And trust me, it is going
to be a top shelf kiss

and I don't need you
boys messing it up.

Furthermore, you are
looking at a new coach

of the Norway National Mountain-

- Alpine.

- Norway National
Alpine Ski team.

And if you ever
wanna have a prayer

of joining that team,
you better shape up.

- Sorry, coach.

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

That was impressive.

- Teaching high school does
give you a certain skillset.

- Hm.
- He called you coach.

- He did.
- You heard that?

- I did.

But more importantly, I
also heard talk of a kiss.