Episode 2 of SAS: Who Dares Wins season 8 picked up with the cliffhanger from the first episode. Number 6, Stevie had run into difficulty while attempting the waterfall abseil. He was at risk of drowning but fortunately recovered his composure and made it down safely. In total 12 recruits passed the challenge with the remaining 7 failing.
In episode 2, the theme was Mindset. Following the waterfall challenge the recruits returned to base. The DS met to discuss the progress of the recruits. They were impressed by the performance of Number 3, Joshua but were concerned about his lack of ability to open up. They decided to bring him in for questioning.
Billy and Foxy spoke to Joshua and told him he was nailing tasks and doing good. Joshua described himself as reserved and gave some brief detail on his background. The DS pushed him and managed to get him to open up a little more. They gave him advice on what he needed to do to improve. After the chat, Joshua was upset at how different he was to the others. Foxy sat and listened to him then gave him some more advice. He went back to the group and tried to join in a bit more.
Next the DS called the recruits out to the parade square for a water bottle inspection. Everyone who had failed to keep a full water bottle had to pour it over their heads. This was followed by a beasting of non-stop exercises until 2 recruits handed their numbers in. For lagging behind Number 6, Stevie was told to leave the course. The beasting continued and it was Number 1, Amelia who was next to quit.
Back in the accommodation, Number 12, Aaliya had some kind of medical episode, apparently brought on by exhaustion. She was given medical attention and withdrawn from the course. Number 18, Levi became really upset at the situation which led to him being brought in for questioning. He spoke of his past including the loss of his brother and his own struggles with alcohol.
The next day, the DS held another progress meeting and 2 more recruits had left the course. The next challenge was Milling, a hand-to-hand combat challenge to test how each recruit could control their own aggression. Joshua came out on top against the heavier Levi. Number 14, Ross was put up against the much bigger Number 13, Pete. Their fight was stopped when Pete injured his knee and had to withdraw. Ross was then put up against Levi who won the fight.
Episode 3
It’s the start of phase three and just 12 recruits remain from the original 20. In the unforgiving Vietnamese jungle, the group are tasked with an energy-sapping uphill hike before being confronted with a 200-foot abseil into a dark bat-infested cave.
In a bustling civilian market, the recruits must track down an armed gunman on the loose among innocent civilians. Can they take the target down?
And in a flooded paddy field they must dig deep, regain composure, muster aggression and focus on besting their opponents in a game of murderball. Will they remain in control? Who can truly demonstrate composure?
SAS: Who Dares Wins series 8 continues at 9pm Monday 6th February 2023 on Channel 4.
