Darryl. An Outward Bound Story - Series One

Episode One - Day 1: Dancing Darryl
After his embarrassing marathon mishap goes viral, Darryl Walker (Millen Baird) heads to the Marlborough Sounds for an Outward Bound course to rebuild his confidence and silence his self-doubt. He meets his teammates, a mix of fellow misfits, but his past catches up to him fast when teammate Trent (Toby Sharpe) instantly recognises him and doesn't hesitate to share the viral video with the group. A warm-up run turns into a swim to an offshore boat, and Darryl must put his sea legs to the test. 

Episode Two - Day 1 (continued): Stand Up For Darryl
The team must sail the boat to Anakiwa, so self-important corporate manager Wendy (Rachael Blampied) steps up to take charge. Darryl finds himself on the sideline and second-guessed at every turn, until course instructor Aaron (Owen Black) unexpectedly puts him in charge of the anchor drop. Darryl attempts to win the respect of his teammates, but tensions continue to rise when he makes a dramatic overboard exit.

Episode Three - Still Day 1: Abandonment Issues
Group harmony remains a work in progress. Wellness and spiritual enthusiast Emilio (Glen Levy) senses Darryl’s unease and offers support in the form of energy readings. Later, the group takes turns to share their fears for the course — heights, running... Darryl, misunderstanding the brief, offers up his deepest fear of abandonment. They set up camp for the night on the boat and Darryl spends a restless night awake with his own thoughts.

Episode Four - Day 2 Suffering is Optional
Darryl wakes up on the second day to find the boat empty — the group out on their compulsory dawn swim without him. Out on the water, Wendy swiftly resumes command, while Emilio offers more spiritual readings, and Marnie (Siobhan Marshall) pitches wellness cleanses to an unreceptive Darryl. When the wind finally picks up, Darryl is named captain and must pilot the ship to Anakiwa amid constant micromanagement and a crew primed for mutiny. 

Episode Five - Day 2 (continued): Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude 
In Anakiwa, the group gathers for a pep talk and a creative reflection exercise: each participant draws how they’ve been feeling about the course so far and shares it with the team. Darryl’s surprisingly detailed sketch earns admiration from the crew. Instructor Aaron introduces a simple philosophy: focus on what’s within your control and let go of the rest. Easier said than done for Darryl, whose self-doubt refuses to take a break.

Episode Six - Day 3: The Challenge Zone 
Today is all about pushing the team out of their comfort zone. Darryl scribbles “I’m invincible” as his personal mantra — and, for the first time, his inner voice begins to back him up. The team climbs up to the tree tops for a high ropes course, confronting their fears and putting trust to the test. Then it’s into wetsuits and kayaks for white-water practice. Paired up, Darryl must put his faith into the ever-critical Wendy to have his back over the rapids.  

Episode Seven - Day 4: A Lone Wolf and Day 5: Who Are You? 
The team heads out rock climbing, and it’s half way up the rock face that Darryl decides to confront Wendy, for abandoning him on the river, and opens up about his own personal story. Meanwhile Wendy struggles with her own fear of heights. Later on a hike, a forgotten lunch bag turns the team against Darryl once again. They must navigate their own way back when Darryl decides to take his own path, only to later come to the rescue of his teammates. 

Episode eight - Day 5 (continued): Learn to be Alone, Day 6: Mind Over Matter, and Day 7: Wrestle with the Minotaur
The group nurses their injuries, bee stings and bruised egos. Wendy thanks Darryl for stepping up to help her, and apologises for not doing the same. Then everyone is dispatched for their solo mission in the bush, two nights confined alone to a 50-metre radius. Left with just his thoughts, Darryl keeps himself occupied with games, workouts and tree-climbing — until he runs out of distractions and must finally face the real challenge. 

Episode Nine - Day 7 (continued): Powerful Beyond Measure
Aaron the instructor arrives to quietly collect Darryl, signalling the end of his solo mission. Back with the group, everyone debriefs on their nights alone and presents a symbolic gift representing what they learned — a shell, a twig sculpture, a noble piece of driftwood... Darryl, having battled both his inner demons and his digestive system in the wilderness, proudly produces a humble bucket as a symbol of his personal growth.

Episode Ten - Day 8: True Change
On the final day, the team sails up the Marlborough Sounds for one last challenge. While most prepare for a long run, Darryl declares he’ll finish with a full marathon. Charging ahead, he leaves the others behind. When an aggressive case of chafing threatens to derail him near the finish line, support from his teammates sees him through. Back at camp, badges are awarded and each participant reflects on the lessons they’ve earned, including Darryl who found true change is a marathon, not a sprint.