By Ashley Thompson

They started off in four groups of three people and for the first time since leaving Columbia the survivalists are together (and looking great after a shower and clean clothes). Do you think they sat and sniffed each other for a while?

Spending 40 days with another person means that when the survivalists are back in the real world they're looking for their companion. The good news is they have technology that allows them immediate contact. "Hey, man." "Hey." "Whatcha doing?" "Eating breakfast." "Me, too!".

Not everyone was excited about being there with more than one other person. Specifically speaking Honora is still maintaining that her group members were against her and he felt invisible. As the group watches the playback, she laughs hysterically at her freak-out when she threw the guys tools in the river. Even after Luke tries to talk her down on the reunion just as he did on the show, she tries to put the blame on others and ends up calling Chris a chauvinistic pig. On the flip side, Jeff and EJ showed what it was like tow work well together. However, they weren't eager in joining the larger group and Laura feels that EJ missed his opportunity to be a community leader... which is unfair because it's not his sole responsibility to bring people together.

Even as the most prepared survivalists it was still difficult and not everyone made it the entire 40 days. The ones, like Shane, who felt like outsiders struggled to remain in the challenge. It wasn't the survival aspect, it was the social aspect. Learning and accepting other peoples survival techniques is more difficult than any of them anticipated. Especially when some group members are more accepting than others (Alana). The hardest thing to do is separate and go it alone. Once he left, Shane realized that he needed Alana and Danielle's help after all. But after joining Jeff and EJ's group he realized he has unique skills and found a group willing to accept him as he is.

Someone who thought they were a crucial part of a group was Dani, but she eventually learned that she wasn't as invaluable as she thought. Surviving a group setting was the most difficult part of the challenge for her. She watches the playback where the other girls call her a pathological liar and sociopath and approaches the group. Everyone says it's nothing personal but how could it not be? She makes a good point, why not bring the smaller things up before they turn into big things? Dani eventually snaps, "What the fuck is wrong with you guys??". I concur. Luke steps up and owns his hurtful words and Eva eventually offers up an apology as well. Hug fest!

In the end only 8 of the 12 made it the entire challenge. What some of us never think about is the end. Once they reach their extraction they get to eat, shower, sit on plush chairs... They get to be comfortable again. On their extraction boat they have fruit, chips, cookies, sandwiches and all of the yummy things all of us would love to indulge in. But it's the second best thing next to seeing your loved ones again.

Photo credit: Discovery Channel