Honestly: this week’s episode hasn’t been the easiest to fact-check. It becomes somewhat absurd to check how much is true in “Makta” when the episode itself is illogical. Having said that, both hippo and Åge Aleksandersen are on the list of this week’s allegations. However, we start with the beginning: Is this the Masonic Lodge in Trondheim? The Masonic lodge in Trondheim as it is portrayed in “Makta”, but is this the real lodge? Photo: Motlys The whole of episode 11 is about the last televised duel between Gro and Kåre before the election in 1981. According to “Makta”, the debate took place in the Masonic Lodge in Trondheim. It is true that Gro and Kåre met in the lodge in August 1981, but this is not the real lodge. The episode was filmed in a function room in Oslo called Håndverkeren. From “Makta”. Kåre and Gro meet in the back room before the last TV debate. Photo: Motlys The debate was also not the last before the election in 1981. Gro and Kåre dueled several times before election day. Was election debate really THAT popular? Yes. In the episode, Gro and Kåre meet a packed hall and a loud audience in Trondheim. This was also the case in reality. There were actually many more people than there was room for. VG called it a circus, and wrote that over 1,000 listeners crowded into the room. Circus Gro and Kåre are in earnest, wrote VG in August 1981. Photo: Facsimile from VG The Freemasons’ lodge only had seating for 600, so many in the audience had to stand or sit on the stairs. Several hundred people were also turned away at the door, and did not realize that Gro and Kåre were barking together. Did Åge Aleksandersen destroy the technical facility before the debate? Åge Aleksandersen in the early 1980s. Photo: news In episode 11 of “Makta”, we witness major problems with the technical system ahead of the debate between Gro and Kåre. Of all things, Åge Aleksandersen is mentioned as a possible scapegoat. It’s just bullshit. Series talk in news has asked Åge Aleksandersen, which made the musician laugh. He vehemently denies the claim. One problem that arose during the debate in August 1981, however, was smell. Some of those who turned up to see Gro and Kåre in action set off stink bombs in one of the stairwells. The press believed the stink bombs were set off in protest against the duelists’ behavior. Was it that intense between Gro and Kåre? From “Makta”. One of many clashes between Kåre and Gro. Photo: Motlys There is a lot of banter between Gro Harlem Brundtland and Kåre Willoch in large parts of episode 11. At times the temperature is high, at one point Gro loses her temper and throws her papers on the floor. It wasn’t that tight between them, was it? Yes. Gro believed she was exposed to obvious provocations on Kåre Willoch’s part. Thorbjørn Harr as Kåre Willoch, a politician with a unique ability to irritate Gro Harlem Brundtland. Photo: Motlys There is probably a lot of truth in that, Kåre Willoch was a capable debater. In the book “Makt og mannefall”, the authors write that Kåre Willoch was cunning enough to deliberately tease Gro. They had several major clashes, often with an implacable tone. Did Gro have a pencil in his shoe? From “Makta”. Did the real Gro have a pencil in the shoe? Photo: Headlights Yes. Keeping a pencil in her shoe was a trick she developed to keep calm. When she felt her temper coming, she pressed her foot to keep her emotions under control. Watch Gro Harlem Brundtland tell about the trick with a pencil in the shoe. The pencil has been a little helper for Gro, and she has advised others to try the same. Jonas Gahr Støre was told to try a fork in his shoe. One more thing, the shoes Gro wears in the episode are not randomly chosen. Gro was a sworn fan of patent leather shoes. The reason? Patent shoes are practical, because they do not need shoe polish. Gro could thus spend his time on other things. Gro had patent leather shoes because she didn’t have to polish them. Erna Solberg is one of several women who have been advised to consider the same. Photo: Motlys Did the shops in Norway close at 4pm earlier? While Gro and Kåre sit in the back room and joke, Kåre Willoch comes up with the claim that the shops in Norway close at 4 p.m. Is it true? From “Makta”. An engaged Kåre Willoch talks about opening hours. Photo: Motlys Yes, many shops closed so early. There were completely different rules for opening hours before. According to SIFO, the shops closed at 17:00 or earlier on weekdays. On Saturdays, it was customary to close the shop at 1 p.m. During the 1980s, the opening hours became more flexible. Before, you couldn’t go to the shop in the evening. Opening hours were strictly regulated, and action had to take place before 5pm on weekdays. Photo: Anette Strand Sletmoen Was Kåre Willoch called Kåre because of Gro? Yes. This with Kåre Willoch’s name is a bit funny. For all these years Kåre Willoch had been referred to as just that: Kåre Willoch. Possibly just Willoch. The real Kåre Willoch in 1981. Or Kåre, as he became known. Photo: news He was even on a first name basis with several acquaintances and fellow students. After being Kåre Willoch his entire career, he suddenly became just Kåre. It was because of Gro. That is to say, it wasn’t her who chose it. The fact is that it was quickly incorporated among people and the press that Gro Harlem Brundtland was called Gro. Then it was not possible to talk about Willoch and Gro. Like for like, it had to be Kåre and Gro. Real situation from 1981. Kåre Willoch and Gro Harlem Brundtland in the Prime Minister’s office. Photo: news Finally: What’s the deal with that hippopotamus? Much of episode 11 revolves around an absurd debate about a metaphorical hippopotamus. Gro and Kåre are at each other’s throats several times because of the question: Is there, or isn’t there, a hippopotamus trampling around Trondheim’s streets? The debate brings out the contradictions between the two fighting roosters, but what’s the deal with that hippopotamus? – What the hippopotamus means or represents will be up to the viewers to interpret for themselves, says producer in Motlys, Vilje Kathrine Hagen. The call is thus given, so interpreters on their way, people! Watch episode 11 here! Sources: Kåre Willoch: “Memories and Opinions 1-3”. Bodil Nævdal: “Days after this: a political portrait of Kåre Willoch”. Wiktor Martinsen: “Yes, Prime Ministers: fifteen steps up – and straight down again”. Steinar Hansson and Ingolf Håkon Teigene: “Power and manfall”. The story of Gro Harlem Brundtland”. Gro Harlem Brundtland: “My life”. SIFO, Store Norske Leksikon, news, VG, Aftenposten, Dagbladet.
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Makta episode 11 – news Culture and entertainment
