The couples gather at a weekend retreat - but this is no relaxing getaway. Over the course of the weekend, relationship experts John Aiken and Desiree Spierings will dig deep into the causes of their problems to plan strategies for the couples over the next eight weeks. Each of the couples faces different issues but share a discontent at the state of their relationship. For some, this experiment is their last chance. Paul and Alison have been married for 29 years, but their lack of intimacy is so profound that Alison can't look Paul in the eye. 25-year-old Carla moved from Italy five years ago to marry Domenic, but their volatile arguments have her doubting their relationship will survive. 40-year-old Steve and 36-year-old Paula are finding that being the parents of two young kids is putting unbearable strain on their marriage, while Laney and Darren try to juggle the stress of bringing up a family with running a busy plumbing firm.