The Affair Episode Guide
Show: The Affair
Status: Returning Series
Network: Showtime
First Aired: October 2014
Country: United States
The Affair:
At once deeply observed and intriguingly elusive, The Affair explores the emotional effects of an extramarital relationship. Noah is a New York City schoolteacher and budding novelist with a wife of twenty years and four children. Alison is a young waitress and wife from Montauk at the end of Long Island, trying to piece her life back together in the wake of a tragedy. The provocative drama unfolds separately from multiple perspectives, using the distinct memory biases of each character to tell the story.
Regular Cast:
Dominic West as Noah Solloway
Ruth Wilson as Alison Lockhart
Maura Tierney as Helen Solloway
Joshua Jackson as Cole Lockhart
Julia Goldani Telles as Whitney
Jake Richard Siciliano as Martin
Season One
- 12 Oct 14 Episode 1
Welcome to “The End of the World.” Noah Solloway has escaped the city with his family to his in-laws’ estate in eastern Long Island. He’s joined by his loving wife, Helen, and their four precocious children. At the same time, local Montauk waitress Alison Lockhart struggles with her husband, Cole, to move past a recent tragedy. In a chance encounter, Noah and Alison meet and connect. But in this bucolic beach town, it’s impossible to avoid someone you yearn to see again. - 19 Oct 14 Episode 2
As the Butler estate readies for the annual summer party, Noah can’t escape the allure of the mysterious Alison. She, meanwhile, bends under the emotional debt owed to her mother-in-law. But as aspects of their separate lives start to weave together, the two are forced to consider an inevitability. - 26 Oct 14 Episode 3
With his novel gaining traction, Noah turns to Alison to help him research the local culture – but their innocent tour of Montauk proves more dangerous than expected. Meanwhile, Cole takes a stand on behalf of his community, and Helen deals with business back in Brooklyn. - 02 Nov 14 Episode 4
In order to spend time together apart from their families, Noah and Alison take a day trip to remote Block Island. But as the two grow closer, they quickly learn that intimacy can be a double-edged sword. - 09 Nov 14 Episode 5
As passions flare behind closed doors, Alison and Noah are forced to confront new obstacles at home. Alison gets a surprise visit from her estranged mother, Athena, while Noah struggles with the behavior of his daughter, Whitney. - 16 Nov 14 Episode 6
After Noah spends a night out with his best friend Max, he discovers there’s more to Alison than he’s been led to believe. At home, his wife Helen hopes to make the most of the family’s time in Montauk. Meanwhile, Alison and her husband Cole work to keep the Lockharts from danger. - 23 Nov 14 Episode 7
With summer coming to an end, the Solloways are returning to Brooklyn – a welcome relief for Noah following recent revelations. Meanwhile, Cole is forced to confront Alison when the Lockhart side business hits too close to home. And Helen and Noah grapple with the results of an unexpected emergency. - 07 Dec 14 Episode 8
Distracted by her burgeoning small business, Helen tasks Noah with representing the family at a literary award ceremony for her father, Bruce. A chance encounter with Alison and her grandmother leads to an uncomfortable truth. - 14 Dec 14 Episode 9
A revelation about their daughter Whitney makes Noah and Helen realize their troubled marriage is directly affecting their children. Bending under remorse, Alison spirals towards a reckoning. - 21 Dec 14 Episode 10
The disappearance of Whitney spurs Helen to scrutinize Noah’s relationship with Alison and her family. Cole searches for answers at Lockhart Ranch. Meanwhile, Detective Jeffries makes significant progress on his case. Season finale.
Season 2
- 04 Oct 15 Episode 1
Noah and Helen try for amicable divorce proceedings, but complications reveal inescapable conflict. Plus, surprising developments in Helen’s life reveal unexpected emotions. Season premiere. - 11 Oct 15 Episode 2
Alison’s summer with Noah is interrupted by an unwelcome guest. Meanwhile, Cole’s self-destructive lifestyle has everyone concerned. - 18 Oct 15 Episode 3
Noah’s unrestrained love for Alison has serious consequences. Meanwhile, Alison discovers a surprising truth about how to sustain a marriage. - 25 Oct 15 Episode 4
As pressures in Helen’s life mount, one innocent mistake leads to outrageous consequences. Meanwhile, a court order presents a dire setback for Noah and Alison. - 01 Nov 15 Episode 5
Alison is thrown by a shift in behavior from her hosts, and furious with Noah after a chance discovery. Meanwhile, Cole rejects Scotty’s plan to make money – but not before Scotty catches him in a situation best kept secret. - 08 Nov 15 Episode 6
A medical emergency casts Helen and Noah’s litigation process in a new light, causing Helen to make a long overdue decision. The dynamic of Noah and Alison’s relationship shifts as troublesome discoveries are made. - 15 Nov 15 Episode 7
Alison’s mother raises concerns about her and Noah’s new lifestyle. Alison confronts Noah about his book. Meanwhile, Cole lashes out at Luisa and is further alienated from his family in the wake of startling revelations. - 22 Nov 15 Episode 8
On the college campus where they first met, Helen is amazed to see Noah in a new role, and bewildered by Whitney’s future plans. Meanwhile, Noah is in danger of spinning out of control as his fame and related temptations escalate. - 29 Nov 15 Episode 9
Alison weathers a momentous journey alone. Helen receives unexpected attention from a sexy yet exasperating source. Noah faces a terrible reckoning. An array of challenges pushes Cole to the very edge. - 06 Dec 15 Episode 10
Noah grapples with essential questions. Alison begins to doubt a recent ambition – and renewed interactions with the Lockhart brothers force her to consider a harrowing possibility. - 13 Dec 15 Episode 11
Cole and Luisa take a serious step forward. Meanwhile, a series of revelations cause Noah to reconsider everything he thought he knew about Alison – and a momentous decision Alison makes may just end their relationship. - 20 Dec 15 Episode 12
Events set in motion long ago come to their conclusion. Alison is honest with Noah — and herself. A dispute between Cole and Scotty is followed by tragedy. Meanwhile, a turn in Noah’s trial results in a shocking event. Season finale.
Season 3
- 20 Nov 16 Episode 1
Haunted by recent hardship, Noah struggles to navigate the challenges of his old life while attempting to adapt to a new one. A new love interest isn’t enough to overcome a sense of dread. Someone is watching him. Season premiere. - 27 Nov 16 Episode 2
One year earlier: after a stern request from Noah leaves Helen devastated, various pressures cause Helen and Vik to reexamine their relationship. Alison returns to Montauk after a crisis only to have her worst fears realized. - 04 Dec 16 Episode 3
Running from secrets she left behind in Paris, Juliette finds Noah an alluring prospect. But a terrifying event shatters all hope of an easy affair. Meanwhile, Noah must fight like never before to make sense of what just occurred. - 11 Dec 16 Episode 4
Cole is put in an increasingly impossible situation by Alison’s return to his life. Alison must contend with Luisa while attempting to reconnect with her daughter. Simultaneously, a dangerous passion threatens to wreck everything. - 18 Dec 16 Episode 5
Alison is motivated to spend a memorable day with Noah on Block Island for an unusual reason. Noah is left wistful by their profound connection, until the problems from which he was escaping return with a shocking force. - 01 Jan 17 Episode 6
An unexplained absence sends Helen on a journey of increasingly troublesome discoveries. Compelled to return to a place he’s spent his life trying to escape, Noah attempts to repair his relationship with Martin. - 08 Jan 17 Episode 7
Helen gives Noah the help he needs – but at what cost? At his absolute weakest, Noah’s world has never seemed more hostile or bewildering. A vital moment of release turns suddenly into something that can’t be undone. - 15 Jan 17 Episode 8
An unexpected cause to celebrate provokes a sobering realization in Alison. Soon after, a startling warning leaves her pondering the unthinkable. Cole’s frustrations with Alison come to a head, revealing a radical truth. - 22 Jan 17 Episode 9
Helen’s escape to Montauk exacerbates her guilt and hastens an identity crisis: should the truth finally come out? Noah’s world collapses, leaving him to process something horrific. - 29 Jan 17 Episode 10
Noah’s visit to Paris provides Juliette with a distraction from unpleasant realities at home. A chance encounter offers Noah the possibility of healing a relationship in desperate need of repair. Season finale.
