The Apprentice 4, Episode 8: Fired, You Are

Meanwhile, Brian realizes that his best Star Wars resource is Randal and asks for a complete run-down of all six movies. I would love to have seen this in its entirety, but we do see Randal explaining such basics as that the main character of the original trilogy is Luke. I wish I had seen, like, a stunned reaction from Brian upon learning that Darth Vader is Luke’s father. That would have been hysterical. Rebecca says in an interview that Randal knows the movies well, but it’s no substitute for talking to the executives and learning how the movie and game are being marketed.

Randal starts to sketch the display and wants to show a transition from the good Jedis to the evil Sith on the Dark Side. They discuss which characters to feature. Randal is thinking the Emperor, Yoda, Obi-Wan (mmm, Ewan McGreggor), and C-3PO. Marshawn says that everyone knows those characters already, so why not choose some of the new ones from this movie. Wow, she really doesn’t get how cool it is to see, say, a young Yoda hanging out with a young Chewbacca. Marshawn suggests a random character because she likes his costume and he looks interesting. Brian asks Randal if that’s a good idea, and Randal advises against it. Marshawn backs down, saying that she just wanted to suggest it.

Clay and Alla start putting together their display for Capital Edge. The idea is to step into a mini room and experience the movie and the game. In an interview, Felisha says that Alla might as well be the project manager, since she is clearly in charge. She really regrets letting Clay be the project manager, as he contributes nothing.

In a commercial, Yoda says, “Faith in your new apprentice misplaced may be.” Hee! Cool.

Bill watches Clay and Alla set up. Alla has to tell Clay which characters are the good guys and which are the bad guys. Alla lived in freaking Russia until 1988, yet she knows the movie better than Clay does. I’m sorry, but this is baffling to me. Didn’t everyone have the toys and have practice Jedi training with their siblings? Just me? I don’t think so. Anyway, Bill takes all of this in, including the fact that Clay can’t make a decision without looking to Alla for affirmation.

Excel sets up their display. Marshawn is in charge of doing the presentation, and considering how well she spoke during last week’s Learning Annex challenge, she’s a great choice. But hang on a minute – she’s not sure she wants to do it. She feels weird about the fact that the presentation has been her only key role in the project so far. She wonders if it’s on her so she’ll be a part of the team, or if Brian is setting her up as a scapegoat if they lose. Gee, could it be because you’re a good presenter and your manager wants to use that talent of yours? Brian is confused about whether the Stormtroppers are good guys or bad guys, which again blows my mind. Carolyn watches, and says that their display is only average. There are no lights or music to go with it. If they’re going to win, they’ll need a great presentation.

Speaking of which, Marshawn says she’s not sold on the display and wants Brian to do the presentation. She says she’s not passionate about the project. She and Brian argue about which of them should do it, as Rebecca looks on. In an interview, Rebecca says, “Someone at this point just needs to step up and say ‘I’ll do it.’” So, Rebecca steps up (well, hobbles –she’s still got the crutches) and volunteers. What I want to know is why they didn’t have Randal do it. Randal is a terrific public speaker, a likable guy, and a huge Star Wars fan. Where is he?

Capital Edge begins their presentation. Adam is dressed as a Padwan, complete with braid, and Felisha is Queen Amidala. Clay leads the presentation, much to Alla’s frustration. In an interview, Alla says she feels like Clay is taking credit for the whole thing. Felisha watches and says that Alla should have given the presentation. For her part, Alla interjects periodically to clarify what Clay is saying or to explain things better. Clay doesn’t like that one bit and says in an interview, “I didn’t want this to be ‘Alla saves the day.’” Too late, dude.

Excel, clad in matching Best Buy shirts, gives their presentation. Rebecca talks about how they want to allow customers to bring the Star Wars experience home. She shows the transition from good to evil and sound really good, considering that she only had half an hour to prepare. In an interview, she says that it was awkward working from Marshawn’s notes and off the cuff, but someone had to do it. One of the executives asks why they didn’t show Darth Vader, who indeed is nowhere to be seen (other than as Anakin, of course). Rebecca says that Vader is an imposing figure and would have dominated the display. Yes, and that would have been cool. Were they familiar with the movies, they’d know that you must confront Vader or forever will it dominate your destiny. One of the executives notes that the product is not front and center. Brian jumps in with a suggestion as to how they could change it. After the presentation ends, Rebecca says that it wasn’t her best work, but she had no choice since Marshawn dropped the ball.

Trump meets with the executives in the Boardroom and learns that one team did considerably better than the other. The candidates enter, and Clay and Brian both say that they’re proud of how they did. Trump says that the executives said Capital Edge had a great tagline, merchandised the display well, and made the product easy to find. Excel, on the other hand, barely showed Darth Vader and wasn’t even close to winning. Capital Edge wins.

Trump asks the team if project manager Clay deserves an exemption. One by one, Adam, Felisha, and Alla say no. Alla adds that she felt like the task was on her shoulders. Clay seethes. Careful, Clay. Anger. Fear. Opression. The dark side are they. For their reward, the team gets to go to White Plains to spend a day with Jedi Master – ooops, I mean original Apprentice Bill. That’s pretty cool. Trump reminds us that Randal is exempt.

Capital Edge dons their Omarosa Maningault-Stallworth Memorial Hardhats to tour Bill’s building. Felisha is energized by the experience and loves real estate. Adam is happy to get Bill’s input. Bill says that to win, you need passion, creativity, and innovation. Clay somehow interprets this as, “In the end, it’s all about you.” He says that the time for teamwork is over. The emperor tells him to rise.

That last part might have just been in my imagination.