The Apprentice 2 Weekly Performance Review, Episode 7: Dogging It

I don't consider this week's challenge to be indicative of anything, except perhaps a willingness to do unpleasant tasks. Thus, who won was really not even an issue in my mind.

As for the team selection, I was surprised that Wes got rid of Kevin. By keeping Andy and Kelly together, he has two team members that just do not get along - or at least a situation where Kelly does not like Andy. One would think Wes would know this, but maybe he just chose on performance, in which case he picked well. Jennifer, well, there is really no one on Apex that was worth keeping, so pulling names out of a hat would have been as productive.

Apex Corporation:

Raj: You may have been the savior of the team by convincing Jennifer to create a second location. However, you're getting a reputation as a hound, and you seem to enjoy it. In this day and age, do you really think that Trump wants a potential sexual harassment risk heading one of his companies? You've got a lot working against you right now, my friend, and you're only digging the hole deeper.

Chris: I officially don't like you. The only reason that you're still around is that you don't stick your neck out enough to make an impact. You do what you're told without argument, but you usually have a wiseass remark or eye roll to go with it. The first time you go into the boardroom, Trump will realize that he has no idea who you are. And in the meantime, I'm sure your smart mouth will get you into trouble with George or Carolyn.

Kevin: After weeks of not being a factor, you're quickly becoming a go-to guy. Sure, you messed up on the pricing last week, but it looks like that was more Wes' fault. This week, you did whatever was asked, you had some ideas, and you stepped up because you are good with animals. And you were. Your teammates are going to find out that they can rely on you to do what you say you will, and that's an invaluable asset. Will it make you the Apprentice? Well, I won't go that far.

Elizabeth: Ever since the restaurant challenge, you've been something close to useless. As I've said before, you have to shake that off and prove your worth, or you'll be gone sooner than later.

Ivana: Um. Yeah. Hey, Ivana. How's it going? Good. So, umm… enjoying your experience? Yeah. OK, you can go, I guess.

Jennifer: I was impressed with your leadership. Good job changing your mind and accepting Raj's second request to create an alternate location. But what I'm not impressed with is your mouth. At dinner, all you did was talk about how well YOU did. Good leaders give credit, to others as well as themselves. I'm still not convinced that you're a good leader.

Mosaic Corporation:

Sandy: You've made yourself useful for the first time this week! You picked a good time, because you would have been a prime candidate to take into the boardroom otherwise, but Wes couldn't have justified it with your hard work.

Maria: Let's see, you've either been useless to your team or you've been a detriment. Luckily, you had an exemption or it would have been you and Stacey fighting it out in the boardroom. Remember what I said way back early on about the exemption allowing the person to half-ass it on the following week and not facing any consequences? Thanks for illustrating my point so well.

Kelly: Once again, you've proven yourself to be the de facto leader of Mosaic, taking command when the PM doesn't. You're impressing the hell out of me, but I still don't understand your almost irrational dislike of Andy. Prove to me that you're right, and I'll be in your corner without reservation.

Andy: Ah, the old double-edged sword I mentioned last week. Trump saw you in the boardroom for the third time, so he naturally figured you were a disaster. I defy Trump, or anyone, to name one large mistake you've made other than losing the phone - which I didn't consider to be that big of a deal. I don't buy that the team couldn't have split up without the phone, it's just the mentality of "I don't know how I survived without it!" Gee, how did anyone get business done before cell phones? And why could they not have radioed the taxi and asked him to come back with the phone? Offer him ten bucks and I'm sure the driver would have been happy to.

In any case, you're getting a raw deal, and I am really, really thrilled that you will be taking the reins as Project Manager and proving to these people you can run the ship.