The WORST episodes of The Affair
Every episode of The Affair ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of 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 novelist who is happily married, but resents his dependence on his wealthy father-in-law. Alison is a young waitress trying to piece her life and marriage back together in the wake of a tragedy. Set in Montauk at the end of Long Island, the provocative drama unfolds separately from both the male and female perspectives, using the distinct memory biases of both to tell the story.
#1 - Episode 6
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/29/2019
In Montauk for work, Joanie becomes acquainted with EJ. Together, they explore Joanie’s family history, leading her to question the cause of her mother's death. Rattled, she starts to make some self-destructive decisions.
#2 - Episode 2
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/1/2019
Janelle struggles with her relationship and work, so turns to Carl for support. Production for Descent commences, and Sasha takes an interest in Helen. Helen takes her first steps towards acceptance.
#3 - Episode 7
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/8/2017
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.
#4 - Episode 8
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/7/2014
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.
#5 - Episode 1
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/20/2016
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.
#6 - Episode 2
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/24/2018
Cole tries to keep Alison’s behavior from ruining an important deal while Luisa’s legal status threatens their future. An encounter with a local surfer leads Cole to question if he’s the same person he used to be. Alison is saved by a handsome stranger.
#7 - Episode 3
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/26/2014
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.
#8 - Episode 5
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/22/2019
Sierra struggles to balance motherhood with her burgeoning acting career. Sierra’s mother visits uninvited. Helen works her first design gig and begins to focus on herself.
#9 - Episode 4
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/8/2018
Alison and Ben dig into her past and begin confronting her fears. Cole’s relationship with Alison is jeopardizing his marriage to Luisa.
#10 - Episode 4
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/2/2014
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.
#11 - Episode 3
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/8/2019
Sasha proposes adjustments to Noah’s script. Sasha’s relationship with Helen blossoms, and Noah takes notice. Bruce’s condition worsens. Joanie’s business trip leads to violent encounters.
#12 - Episode 2
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/11/2015
Alison's summer with Noah is interrupted by an unwelcome guest. Cole's self-destructive lifestyle causes everyone to become concerned.
#13 - Episode 3
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/18/2015
Noah's undying love for Alison leads to serious consequences. Alison discovers a surprising truth about how to sustain a marriage.
#14 - Episode 10
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/29/2017
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.
#15 - Episode 7
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/6/2019
Noah and Whitney travel to Montauk to begin planning the wedding. Noah gets a concerning call. Armed with new information about her mother's death, Joanie confronts a stranger.
#16 - Episode 2
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/19/2014
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.
#17 - Episode 5
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/9/2014
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.
#18 - Episode 8
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/15/2017
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.
#19 - Episode 7
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/29/2018
Helen goes to Joshua Tree in search of meaning. Noah and Anton begin an adventure with high hopes until an ominous phone call alters their course.
#20 - Episode 1
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/25/2019
Noah embarks on his journey with the Descent movie by getting acquainted with his star, Sasha Mann. Helen mourns a tragic event. Sierra welcomes a new arrival. Joanie struggles with an upcoming birthday.
#21 - Episode 6
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/1/2017
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.
#22 - Episode 1
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/17/2018
Noah struggles to adjust to his new life after moving to Los Angeles to be closer to his kids. He attempts to reach a gifted but troubled student while under the stern eye of the school's principal. Helen finally discovers the source of her anxiety, only to be blindsided by a new catastrophe. Season premiere.
#23 - Episode 5
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2015
Alison is thrown by a shift in behavior from her hosts, and furious with Noah after a chance discovery. Cole rejects Scotty's plan to make money - but not before Scotty catches him in a situation best kept secret.
#24 - Episode 1
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/12/2014
The emotional effects of an extramarital relationship are explored when a married schoolteacher begins an affair with a waitress on Long Island. In the opener, Noah Solloway and his family visit Long Island where he connects with a local waitress.
#25 - Episode 3
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/1/2018
Noah’s attempt to teach his students a lesson in civil duty spirals out of control. Helen can’t handle Vik’s decision and goes behind his back, only to find resistance everywhere she turns.