The Rebel Billionaire, the Finale: A Flip of the Coin…

On last week’s show, our shrinking band of billionaire hopefuls became a duo. Only Shawn and Sara remain. In this finale, we’ll find out who’s going to be the big winner.

The episode begins right were we left off – on Branson’s private island, Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands (where else?). Voiceover guy reminds us that in this journey, “No demand was too high and no risk too great.”

Shawn and Sara are preparing to deliver their speeches stating why they should win the prize. The audience for this speech is Branson and the 14 eliminated contestants. We are reminded that the contestants do not know what prize they are playing for. Well, neither do we, not exactly.

As Sara gets up to speak, she realizes that the group probably all feel as though they deserve her spot. Her speech begins with the work she’s done with her company, Spanx, and that to her it’s just a first step. She has been greatly influenced by her mother and her grandmother and wants to make women’s lives better. She concludes by reminding them how far she had to step out of her comfort zone. At the end, she’s pretty comfy how it’s gone.

In asides, Candida thinks that most of them already know the Spanx story, and she wanted to know more about Sara the person how she has been affected by the game. Jermaine notes that her goals seem oriented toward women, rather than all people.

It’s Shawn’s turn next. He also realizes that jealous people will be critiquing his hopes and dreams. In his speech, he admits he may have come off as cocky. He says he wants to win, needs to win. Well, in this group of Type-A personalities, that doesn’t rate you any different than any other player, and in an aside, Tim says as much. Shawn mentions his company (Lovesac) as well, saying he wants to win not only for his dreams, but for his employees’ dreams as well. His plea is getting more impassioned. He concludes by talking of his love (a little rambley here), and being grateful of this opportunity.

After they conclude, Sir Richard tells them to meet on the beach in 30 minutes in “bathing costumes.” On this side of The Pond, that means “bathing suits.”

This physical challenge involves racing to a reef in the bay, and back. This afternoon, Sara will kite surf and Shawn will sail a catamaran-like sailboat. A tropical storm looms. Both get brief, insufficient instructions how to use their craft, and then they’re off. As they set out, Shawn jumps to an early lead. But Sara has an epiphany!

Sir Richard never said anything about getting help, so Sara asks one of the professional kiteboarders to make the trip, with her on his back. Now, Sara’s not a short girl, but this guy is b-i-g, because she looks like a little kid on his back. They zoom past Shawn like he’s parked. In fact, he doesn’t even know what’s going on until Sara’s on the return trip! LOL!!

Sara wins easily – not by her physicality, but with her brain. Sir Richard tells us that to properly kite surf, it usually takes at least three days of training. Branson asks the assembled crowd if they’re ready to make a final decision. They all say, “No,” except for Sara. Of course that’s a setup, they really want to say, “Yes” so they can get off camera for good.

Next up is what we are told is the third of four challenges in this stage. OK, at least we know the magnitude of what we’re up against. Richard offers the following advice: “Surround yourself with the best people, trust them, listen to them and draw on their expertise.”

The challenge involves picking a team of former contestants to come up with five difficult adversarial questions for the other finalist. He asks Sara whom she’d like to pick first, and she says, “Gabriel.” Branson then asks Shawn, who also names Gabe. Hmm, let’s let Gabe make his choice, then. After uncomfortable deliberation, he decides to go with Sara! Shawn is very disappointed.

The following teams result: Sara has Gabe, Heather, Steve, Jessica, Jennifer, and Tim; Shawn takes Candida, Sam, Nicole, Erica, Jermaine, and Michael. I guess the forgotten souls (Aisha and Spencer) got to go swimming. I like Shawn’s picks, he’s got more of the aggressive, adversarial people. Next we see a lot of strategizing, but let’s skip ahead.

Questions for Shawn are shown first. For Sara, he identifies his three bad characteristics as being a bad listener, he’s cocky, and he doesn’t recognize when he should reach out. For Gabe, he discusses his temper. Gabe doesn’t think much of the answer. Shawn also answers questions about teamwork, communication and trust.

The editing tries to make it look like he’s being overwhelmed. At some point Shawn loses his cool and makes a comment, “Is this a lecture, or is this asking me questions? Because I get lectured for about five minutes before any questions get asked!” He calls it, “belittling and difficult to listen to.” I guess he’s never seen Final Tribal Council on Survivor, where you grin and take it and apologize for transgressions real or imagined.