"Victoria Fallout" -
November 16
From Hong Kong, we go to Africa. Victoria Falls, to be
exact. We begin by choosing leaders: the women want
Gabriel while the men take Nicki. First stop: Gorges
Lodge in Zimbabwe. Steve thinks the guys will be
successful because of their amp... whatever that is.
Meanwhile Gabriel assures his team that they will be on
the next plane out.
Here we are at the
Victoria Falls Gorge, 360 feet from the Zambezi River...
downward. "I'm not asking you to jump... just yet." It's
all a metaphor here, as Richard explains that
entrepreneurship involves taking a big leap into the
unknown. And that's what the challenge entails, along
with trust and intelligent risks. The challenge: one by
one, players on each team will jump into a designated
catcher's arms. As we cycle out jumpers, the distance to
jump will be lengthened. Winners stay, losers pay, as
the team captain and one person of his or her choosing
will take another leap... into a challenge.
The girls (and Gabriel)
take Gabriel, while the guys (and Nicole) take Jermaine.
Nicole jumps from 7 ft:
MISS. And expletive. Nicole: 0, Gabriel: 0
Heather jumps from 7 ft: MISS. And expletive. Nicole: 0,
Gabriel: 0
Michael jumps from 7 ft: CATCH! Nicole: 1, Gabriel: 0
Sara jumps from 7 ft: Close... close... CATCH! Nicole:
1, Gabriel: 1
Sam jumps from 8 ft: CATCH! Nicole: 2, Gabriel: 1
Jessica jumps from 8 ft: CATCH! Nicole: 2, Gabriel: 2
Shawn jumps from 8 ft: MISS. Nicole: 2, Gabriel: 2.
Candida jumps from 8 ft: MISS... and still falling...
arm is now bruised. Someone call medic!
Steve jumps from 8 ft 7 in: CATCH! Nicole: 3, Gabriel 2.
Erica jumps from 8'7": CATCH! Tied at 3!
This one goes to a
bid-a-jump tiebreaker. Steve and Erica will make the
deciding jump. The jump must be with both feet.
Steve jumps from 7' 7
1/2": CATCH!
Nicole jumps from 7' 8": CATCH! Girls win it!
And because he can,
Richard, despite a deathly morbid fear of bungee
jumping. Gabe is the catch man. Richard... fakes..
Richard... fakes again... Richard... "My legs've gone
jelly!" He makes the jump... and Gabe can't catch him!
But he's okay. "Gabe just let a few million dollars slip
through his fingers." And if that wasn't bad enough, now
he's bleeding.
The ladies (and Gabriel)
win, as Nicole must now choose who will challenge with
her next. She doesn't want to choose anyone... but she
does get input as to who should be picked. Jermaine
doesn't know. Shawn decides on whoever couldn't complete
the stunt. They all think that Shawn should go up
against her... but it's Sam who will go onto the
challenge. Shawn thinks that the move cost Nicole all
her credibility. Sam expects to kick some ass in
the next challenge... and speaking of which...
We're back at Victoria
Falls... with a barrel. You're right, Nicole. You're
going over the falls in a barrel. The barrel, which
comes equipped with safety harnesses, NASA technology,
and a panic button... because you know, every barrel has
to have a panic button, will be hung over the falls
awaiting Richard's call to drop them 350 feet over. The
engineer explains further that this is a first. The
barrel was never even tested! Nicole goes into
inquisition mode, while Sam signs away the waiver. Nicki,
though... bails out before she ever has a chance to push
the panic button.
Sam, on the other hand,
goes all-in with Richard. They are hoisted above the
falls, and are about the make the drop in five...
four... three... two... one... the barrel is still
suspended. Richard radios to bring them in. This was
never about barrel hopping. Richard was NEVER going to
go over the falls. The challenge was about intelligent
risk taking and when to follow a leader. As Richard
tells Sam, and as he'll tell Nicole as they are shown
the falls, had they gone over, they would have been very
much dead. But still, Richard is not sure who to
eliminate, either Sam's poor risk-taking or Nicole's
boorish behavior during dinner.
But still, the time has
come, the plane is fueled, a decision has to be made. It
won't be aboard VA craft, though. Richard questions
Sam's blind faith and commitment. Nicole started to ask
questions but never stopped Sam from taking the risk.
Poor leadership. But for one, a second chance. For the
other, a ticket back to America. Rejoining the group on
the plane... Nicole. "Didn't think I'd be so happy to
see 11 strangers." Wish I could say the feeling's
mutual.. but I can't. Everyone seems to think that she's
very smug. Meanwhile, Richard and the others take a
toast in honor of Sam.
Next stop: South Africa. |