Surviving Marriage — Season 1, Episode 2: Josh and Alethea
Reality • 42 min • 1 season, 9 episodes
Episode synopsis
After eighteen years of marriage and three children together, Josh and Alethea are on the verge of divorce. After becoming parents at a young age, Josh blames Alethea for his misfortunes and lack of success. Alethea is done with Josh's controlling ways and craves independence. With their children all about to leave the house, will they stay together? On the island, Alethea's transformed and Josh loses control. Can the couple overcome 20 years of pent up frustration and pain?
About Surviving Marriage
Married couples on the verge of divorce take part in an extreme form of therapy in hopes of saving their relationships. Akin to being locked in a room and told to work it out -- sort of -- one couple on each episode spend five days together on a secluded South Pacific island. Without modern conveniences and with limited access to food and water, the husband and wife have to rely on each other to survive the challenging conditions, including when they take part in physical and emotional exercises designed by marriage counselors. Guiding viewers are clinical psychologist Dr. Colleen Long and family therapist Tom Kersting, who explain how the participants are faring during the often-volatile journey. On the final day, the couple decide if they want to remain married or call it quits.