Returning to their cabin after the morning’s challenge, Wilder and Scottie find a prize box and banter nervously about its contents before discovering multiple bags of Nerds Clusters. Relieved and delighted, they celebrate the win with playful teasing that underscores their growing comfort.

They proceed to their scheduled session with Sanders, who is dressed comically but steers the discussion to their recorded answers from the obstacle-course exercise. Sanders notes both said they were unhappy and argues their constant bickering shows weak communication. He instructs them to practice listening and mirroring while maintaining physical closeness, having Scottie straddle Wilder to encourage intimacy and attention.

Through the mirroring exercise, Wilder compliments Scottie’s body and eyes, and recalls a Vegas memory where Scottie possessively claimed him, which he admits made him feel needed. Prompted by Sanders, Scottie mirrors and asks “tell me more,” drawing out Wilder’s deeper truth: he wants to feel valued beyond money and usefulness, to bring joy and be needed. Scottie then shares her love language—attention—and describes wanting to be the most important thing to her partner, to receive affection and everyday excitement, and to know her absence would be felt as a grave loss.

Wilder mirrors Scottie’s needs and affirmatively states she is his priority, physically soothing her as they maintain eye contact and closeness. Scottie adds that she wants transparency and for Wilder not to hide the good or the bad. Wilder agrees, privately acknowledging the weight he has carried since his father’s death and family responsibilities. Sanders labels the exchange a “minor breakthrough,” summarizing that Wilder wants to be needed and Scottie wants to feel special, and sends them to Ellison for a follow-up activity, advising them to use the same communication posture as a reset tool.

Ellison’s activity has them stringing bead bracelets by the lake. Scottie at first misunderstands and makes one for herself, while Wilder creates one that reads “Wilder’s Girl” for Scottie. As they bead, Wilder gently encourages Scottie to talk about her ex. Scottie admits that toward the end of her marriage, her ex stopped greeting her, showing affection, or prioritizing shared time, leaving her feeling unimportant.

Wilder offers sincere reassurance—saying he truly enjoys spending time with her—and insists he does not offer empty comfort. He ties Scottie’s pink-purple-white bracelet (with her name) on her wrist, and she ties his on his wrist, then reciprocates by telling him he’s “pretty cool,” a small but meaningful affirmation of their budding bond.