The Retreat

Nick Knowles joins a diverse group including a policewoman and taxi driver to undergo an intense detox and healing programme on a Thai island paradise. Is 28 days enough to change their lives?

It is the halfway point at the retreat and as the fast starts to become a distant memory for most, the cast start to regain their energy and take part in more physical activities. Milton, still fasting, is walking increasingly far each day and is feeling drained but positive about the possible impact of this process on his diabetes. Some of the girls, in an act of solidarity to Milton, extend their fast in line with his and are battling with their hunger as activities become more physical.

The group is starting to fragment a little as their personal journeys come to the fore. April is absent from most group activities as she struggles with her eye condition but is placing hope in some of the more invasive physical therapies the cast are about the embark on. Laura introduces Claire to Buddhist teachings as they travel to the capital to meet a Dharmic monk, and yoga therapy starts in earnest with Luke, where we see Julian start to battle against his teachings and Nick begin to carve out his own physical programme which is at odds with the programme's other healing modalities.