The Apprentice 4, Episode 7: Let’s Talk About Sex

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for since Trump fired four candidates in the last episode – that is, all of the candidates hanging out in the suite waiting for someone, anyone, to come home. We see a bunch of clocks ticking away. The candidates suspect that at least two people will be fired. They figure Josh and James will make it. “Where are they?” Felisha wonders. They all look at the door, but there’s no one coming. Alla says that at midnight, she’s declaring them all done. The clock strikes twelve, and Alla can’t believe it. Everyone looks stunned. Brian says in an interview that, after seven hours, he has to concede that all four candidates are gone. He’s upset about the guys because they were like brothers to him.

The next morning, Adam is still stunned that none of the candidates have returned. He says in an interview that it’s still sinking in. As he fusses with his tie, he explains that he will be the next project manage for his team. He says that he’s seen everyone’s talents, so he feels certain he knows what they all do best. No matter what the task, they’ll win. They’re in especially good shape if the task is a David Schwimmer look-alike contest.

The candidates meet Trump, Carolyn, George, and Season 2 winner Kelly. Hi, Kelly! Trump says that Excel was decimated in the last task. Marshawn confirms that the other four are not coming back. In an interview, Brian says it was a devastating blow. Trump asks if Excel would like to choose someone from the other team to even the numbers a bit. Without hesitation, they choose Randal. Man, everybody loves Randal. In an interview, Brian says that Randal is analytical, smart, and all around a good guy to have around.

Trump says that as his apprentice, Kelly is learning a lot and having fun. Kelly agrees that he is learning a lot, and after a bit of prompting from Trump, says he’s also having a good time. The next task is about education. Each team will create an adult education class to be taught through The Learning Annex. They’ll teach the class to a group of students, who will then rate them on education and entertainment value. Alla is exempt from firing, Trump reminds us.

At Capital Edge, Adam asks Alla to lead the brainstorming session. He says that he wants his team to be very collaborative. Alla asks everyone to come up with five or more potential topics. Markus says he doesn’t want to do it that way and would prefer to pitch his idea. Markus apparently can’t play by the rules. He then proceeds to talk about time management, and in the interest of time management, I won’t even try to recount what he said, because it makes no sense. Alla asks him for four more ideas. Clay interjects that Markus doesn’t work that way. He comes up with one idea and that’s it. Markus says that he comes up with “blockbuster ideas.” I still have no idea what he’s even talking about.

Adam asks to speak to Markus privately. Markus immediately acts like he’s the one who pulled Adam aside to talk, much like he did to Brian in the float task. Adam ask Marks to please focus and be on task. In an interview, Adam says that Markus is funny, but when he’s in charge, he needs every member of his team to add value. Adam handled this situation okay, but he could have done better. Talking to Markus privately and making his expectations clear was good, but his timing was lousy. He pulled Markus out of the brainstorming session in front of everyone, and it was clear Markus was in for a scolding. Markus was immediately on the defensive and probably wasn’t as receptive to feedback as he might have been.

The two men return to the brainstorming session. Someone throws out the ideas of business etiquette and sex in the workplace. Everyone loves the idea but Adam, who feels uncomfortable using the word sex in the presentation. They go through a list of synonyms, my favorite of which is copulation. Somehow “copulation” sounds dirtier than sex. In an interview, Clay speculates that Adam has not only never had sex, but has probably never said the word more than ten times. Clay likes the subject, and Alla thinks a lot of people will be able to relate to it. Adam caves and agrees to the topic. Alla thinks it’ll be a fun subject, but in an interview says that Adam is going to have to relax so he doesn’t freeze up when he has to talk about sex.

At Excel, Randal volunteers to be the project manager and starts with a brainstorming session. Marshawn suggests negotiating and networking as potential classes. Brian says that they need something with a “wow” factor. He encourages them to “sex this up.” In an interview, Brian says that Randal is very analytical, so coming up with a creative topic is not one of his strengths. Randal comes up with the topic of making a lasting impression, leaving your mark. They decide to go with it, but Rebecca doesn’t like the idea. She thinks it’s boring. In an interview, she says that as project manager, it’s up to Randal to make this topic a hit. No, Rebecca, as members of the team, it’s up to each and every one of you to make this topic a hit. As project manager, it’s up to Randal to lead you. To Brian, she whispers, “We are so screwed.”

Capital Edge meets to plan the class. They talk about having a crush on a coworker, chivalry, and gossip. Alla has done research about the double standard on men and women. Markus says something or other about a common thread and how everything he’s researched he could cover in more depth. And what would that be, exactly? In an interview, Adam says that Markus “has no meaning.” Once again, Adam pulls Markus aside to talk. He tells Markus that, honestly, he seems to have done the least amount of research. Markus replies earnestly that he won’t be the problem in this task. Uh… good?