*Note: this article contains spoilers for The Apprentice, Episode 6.*
We are already halfway through this series of The Apprentice, and what an episode it was to take us to this halfway point.
Last night the candidates were taken to Turkey and tasked with running their own corporate away day, which is always a fun watch. It was nice to see two new Project Managers in Keir and Chisola, although I must admit, I was surprised how many people wanted to lead this task given how it usually goes so horribly wrong.
From the offset it was clear that Keir's team had the better tour idea, because fun is always going to be more popular than facts any day. Keir, Dean and Max did a brilliant job with their hot air balloon adventure, making it engaging for all and everyone clearly had a great time.
I think the biggest mistake the team made all episode was actually in their negotiations – there didn't seem to be much to-ing and fro-ing; it felt like one side would pluck a number, the clients would give a counter offer and it would be accepted, although obviously there may have been more off edit that we didn't get to see. They certainly spent a lot of money on their tour, but it paid off because everyone enjoyed it and it was pleasant to see the food of supreme standard for once, which in the past has been the major failing point in this task – you've got to give it to Mia for surpassing herself again; she's a natural in the kitchen.
Also, Mia and Melica's animosity grows with each episode and it is truly wonderful viewing for the spectators, spicing things up a bit.
Jordan did a great deal for the carpet weaving and it was a brilliant choice activity from the whole team because it's a unique experience, but also looked like good fun.
Then of course we have Chisola's team, who didn't fare so well...
Unfortunately, it's their own fault. The tour was an absolute shambles, and it was awkward just to watch as tour guides and clients alike sat squashed up next to each other in bitter silence the whole time, with Jonny's pleasant attempts at conversation falling uncomfortably flat.
When Liam began by saying he was 'going to set the tone for the rest of the day' there was me, thinking that he was going to do a fun game or something, and then he comes out with banning the use of mobile phones. I'm sorry, but that is amateur, and if the tour was good enough in the first place then nobody would have wanted to be on their phones throughout. Still, it was amusing to witness the man checking his phone during the tour to see how much longer was left.
No wine was a terrible shout – I understand why the team made that decision, because from a cost perspective it saves a lot of money, but every single year the clients are always ravenous about their wine, so it should have at least been a question asked beforehand. However, it was refreshing to see Anisa's subteam also shine in the kitchen once more.
The original idea of not paying for a team building activity and self-running was a great plan, however the execution was not there. When you think about a couple of years ago when the candidates self-ran an entire outdoor Olympics competition where the clients had the absolute time of their lives, staring into each other's eyes isn't quite going to cut it, and I'm not at all surprised by the number of refunds the team amassed.
One of the standout features of the episode must be Melica's contributions – not 'knowing' how to set a table by herself, letting the wine get heated up, telling Keir's team to make the clients stand and wait while she finished the tables, and then saying in the boardroom 'at least I didn't drop anything' when laying the tables, as if it was some grand achievement, I do think she is a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode and be fired. Her team brought her through this episode, but if her team fails again and she doesn't seriously up her game, I think she could be gone soon.
Of course, the most important question of the night - should Jonny have been fired?
In my opinion no, it seemed like a very harsh firing. While this wasn't exactly his best task in the world, at least he tried to engage their clients, and I don't know what all that nonsense was about regarding him shirking responsibility and not contributing in previous tasks, because he's been one of my standout performers a couple of weeks, and always brings ideas to the table.
For me, Chisola should have been fired – she's made big mistakes that have cost the team a large amount of money, possibly even the win, for three tasks in a row now – that's half the weeks we've had! Furthermore, she wasn't a standout Project Manager, and ultimately, when you get that many refunds and the food team excelled themselves, surely the PM must be held accountable for the failure.
We'll find out what happens next Thursday as 'the search for Lord Sugar's next business partner, continues'...
The Apprentice is aired every Thursday evening on BBC1 at 9pm.
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