The Rebel Billionaire, Episode 4: The Lion Sleeps Tonight?

On last week’s show, our band of billionaire wanabees went to Victoria Falls in Africa and took leaps of faith. One was eliminated and eleven remain. You can read about it here. Tonight, we learn that a stunt can be dangerous without being a physical task.

The show opens as usual with plenty of action shots accompanied by the tune, “Live And Let Die!” But as one astute reader has noted, there are sixteen contestants, but only fourteen are featured in the introduction! Why are early eliminations Aisha and Spencer not in the opening credits? Granted, their time was short but they are on the website and were definitely a part of the show. I dunno – so let’s move on to something that hopefully does make sense.

The episode begins with the contestants learning that the next destination is Ulusaba, Sir Richard’s private game preserve in South Africa. Here, tourists ride through the park in open vehicles to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Branson hopes to increase the area set aside for game preserves in Africa. Very impressive. He describes it as, “A very beautiful but immensely dangerous place to be.”

Branson tells us that this week, the players will be helping the local community. Since we’re dealing with real people’s lives, the stakes are high.

To teach them about leadership, Branson arranges a meeting with his friend – Nelson Mandala! Two of the group, Jermaine and Sara, are selected to attend. I don’t know how they were chosen, but are they ever lucky! To say that both are impressed would be an understatement. On the way back to rejoin the others, all they can say to Sir Richard is, “Wow!” and when they relate the tale of the meeting to the others later that night, all listeners are equally impressed. This is no fake meeting with the “The Vanuatu Dancing Park Rangers,” this is the real deal!

Branson gives some background for the task ahead. He notes that business is not just about making money and that giving back to the community is important. And in Africa, the communities need a lot of help. Jessica states it well when she says, “The object of this next challenge is to improve the quality of life for the people of Dumfries, and also to sustain some kind of continuous income.”

They have 24 hours. Virgin is donating $20,000 to implement the winning plan. Plans will be presented to the village elders as well as to Sir Richard.

Branson splits the contestants into two groups, again by gender. He calls for each team to pick a leader, someone who hasn’t done it before. Michael and a very reluctant Heather are nominated. Heather is trying to play the “flying under the radar” style of game – what a dope, as if that could ever impress Sir Richard!

The male team gets right into the task. They decide to talk to the elders to see what they see as the village's highest priorities, and learn that although medicine and education are important, getting a regular supply of water is the primary area of concern.

The women are initially not too focused. Sara notes Heather is not taking control of the group, and Candida is afraid this is turning into a repeat of the “Hong King” task. If you don’t remember, suffice it to say that it did not go at all well for the ladies and they did not win. But similar to Hong Kong, many people are making suggestions but few are being heeded and little is being accomplished.

Meanwhile, the men are actually learning how water is drawn at the local well and, with an eye to increasing tourist spending, inquiring about local crafts. At this point the men are way ahead of the women.

At dinner, Branson asks if there are any romantic entanglements yet. It turns out, Steve and Jessica are spending a lot of time together. They blush – so cute. Branson next gives them the option of spending the night in the lodge or in the village. Being in the village puts you closer to the people, but the lodge is more comfortable and has access to useful technology such as lighting, running water and the Internet.

Heather decides that staying at the lodge is better since they can work longer hours. Candida and Nicole exchange raised eyebrows. Oh, nothing Spock-ian, but you can tell they don’t agree with that decision. And sure enough, Candida, Nicole, and Erica slip out and go to the village. The three left behind are sure this is the road to ruination.

In the village it’s dark now, and what seems to be a “witchcraft graduation ceremony” is underway, with tribal dancing and native foods. Will anyone here get any more work done tonight? The ladies don’t seem to like the prospect of spending the night in the village, calling it “dirty” and the idea “stupid.”

The male team is here as well, dancing with the villagers and having great fun. Several return to the lodge to work, but it is decided that Michael and Shawn will stay the night to build a model of their solution and bond with the locals.

There’s eleven hours left in the task. Michael and Shawn are working hard on the model and they work most of the night to complete it.

Back at the lodge, love is being tested. Steve and Jessica don’t trust each other enough to tell what their teams’ plans are. I think in reality, Jessica’s trying to keep Steve from getting back to work!

OK, it’s 5 AM now and Gabe, Michael, and Steve are sitting down to breakfast. They are feeling extremely cocky about their proposal, saying, “It’s Hong Kong all over again, baby!” After the ladies leave, Steve starts talking about the rift between the ladies – Heather and Jessica on one side, Nicole and Erica on the other.