He thought about bringing in James and Noorul, he would have been in danger.

However two shouty ones and Noorul was clearly gone.

You could see the logic but his tactics were so transparent especially when he was banging on about how he thought people had performed over the process and not just in the latest task before he chose who was coming back with him.

Sugar was having none of it though so it would seem even though it is the PM's decision, Surallan is over them like a rash if they try anything tactical.

I think Ben was more worried about having to come into the boardroom with Debra though. He managed to get through it courtesy of Noorul's incompetence however if he had brought James and Debra in I think he'd have been in trouble because Sugar clearly has a soft spot for James.

He changed his mind purely because Sir Alan expressed shock that he chose James. He's a cunning little fox who realised that James was a potentially disastrous choice and flip flopped straight back to Debra, who he'd only chosen in the first place because Sir Alan had a go at her.

Sugar was spot on about his motives. He DID pick James cos he seems dense, and weaker than Debra. And he DID keep trying to second guess who Sugar didn't like, e.g. Nooral and first James then Debra. It had nothing to do with the task.

Sprogg is right: his tactics are transparent. Just as transparent as Phillip's tactic of being supportive to the PM in the boardroom which for weeks looked like loyalty.

It's scary how cut-throat some of these people are.

He dithered because he is a rubbish leader who has been happy to shout from the sidelines but when push came to shove and he had to lead, he crumbled.

Absolutely right. Ben picked James, and it was obvious that Sir Alan was gobsmacked by this choice. Ben quickly realised that Sir Alan didn't think James was the right choice, and that there was no chance of James being fired. (Ben didn't think that through at all - he said he didn't know what James had done in the task, but would therefore have been incapable of saying what James had done wrong).

Ben only managed to show himself up as a complete coward - if he didn't know what James had done, then he also couldn't have known what Yasmina had done and should have brought them both in. Instead he went to Norul, because he realised SAS didn't like him, and James as a backup as someone he could out shout and might fold under pressure, which Yasmina is unlikely to do.

At SAS's gobsmacked expression he dithered and went for Debra in a panic - she'd spoken out against him, whilst Yasmina had been quieter so Debra was more in his mind - but he no way wanted to bring her in, he was terrified at the prospect (and to be fair, Debra terrifies me as well ). His card is well and truely marked now, next time in boardroom, he's a gonner!

Mind you, it was worth it for James' 'What' and hand over his mouth - I love this guy, he's a total sweetheart

Ben might win this, you know. After hiring apprentices that let him down two years on the trot he may have someone who actually cares about the job. I think, for the emotional reactions they clearly both have, that Ben and James shall be in the final.

Last years apprentice hasn't let him down - quite the contrary in fact Lee was instrumental in a big deal which was on here a few days ago. The only one who so far has let him down is Michelle although we don't hear much from Simon so god knows what he's doing.

<Sprogg is right: his tactics are transparent. Just as transparent as Phillip's tactic of being supportive to the PM in the boardroom which for weeks looked like loyalty. >

Ok, I know I'm making an ass of myself here ...... but <whispers> what's a PM?

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Oh. Thank you.