By Ashley Thompson

What really sets this survivalist show apart from the others is the pairings they make. In this episode they have paired Rob, and environmental activist who biked barefoot from San Diego with Kevin, a wealthy realtor originally from South Africa (now Orange County). They meet in Alligator Bayou in the Louisiana swamps eager to be tethered to another human being. Ok, maybe not so eager once Rob (a self proclaimed "free spirit") sees Kevin approach him with a sweater tied around his shoulders. "This is exactly the kind of partner I said I didn't want. But I did say I'd like an extreme challenge," Rob says with a smile.

They have 11 days to get 37 miles away to a hunting cabin which will be their extraction point...trekking through neck deep swamps that house 7 varieties of venomous snakes and of course alligators. As a reference, it took them three hours to make it only one mile through floating swamp toward dry land. The three items they chose to take along are: a parang (a short sword, cleaver, or machete common in Malaysia and Indonesia), matches and a water purifier.

As mosquitoes eat them alive, Rob shows Kevin how to use mud and fire smoke to repel the "mini vampires" as Kevin calls them. But Kevin has something to show Rob... he pees into the water filter lid so that he can drink his own urine. You heard me... drink his own pee. He doesn't like it. Rob insists that they instead use the purifier to filter the water they gather in a boot. That seems to turn out a little better.

101 degrees with 98% humidity and they need to look for food and dodge alligators. On the menu is turtle and crawfish. They say if a snapping turtle bites you it won't let go until lightening strikes. Much like Kevin... he won't let go of the obsessive thought that they will run out of wood.

After having to dodge two small alligators, Kevin is ready to forfeit. On this show you can't continue alone if your partner gives up. With only four days left to extraction they are done. I feel bad for Rob because he was so capable, but with a partner like over-confident Kevin there's not much that can be changed.

Photo credit: Discovery Channel