The BEST episodes of The Affair
Every episode of The Affair ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best 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 11
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/3/2019
It’s Whitney’s wedding day and everything comes full circle.
#2 - Episode 12
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/20/2015
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.
#3 - Episode 10
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/19/2018
Noah and Anton visit Yale where Noah encounters an old friend. An immensely difficult day forces Cole and Luisa to reexamine their relationship. Helen gets a new perspective on life.
#4 - Episode 8
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/5/2018
A hopeful epiphany leads Cole on a journey to a horrific discovery. Noah questions his role in tragic events.
#5 - Episode 9
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/12/2018
Ben finally confesses the truth to Alison. But is it too late for their relationship?
#6 - Episode 5
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/15/2018
Vik decides it’s time he started living for himself. Cole meets Nan, an old friend of his father, who sends him on a journey to exorcise the ghosts of his past.
#7 - Episode 9
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/20/2019
As controversy swirls around Noah, Helen and Whitney must decide where their allegiances lie.
#8 - Episode 9
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/14/2014
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.
#9 - Episode 10
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/21/2014
The disappearance of Whitney spurs Helen to scrutinize Noah and his relationship with Alison and her family. Cole searches for answers at Lockhart Ranch. Meanwhile, Detective Jeffries makes significant progress on his case.
#10 - Episode 10
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/27/2019
As wildfires threaten Los Angeles, Helen and Noah are forced to run for their lives and confront old wounds along the way.
#11 - Episode 11
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/2015
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.
#12 - Episode 9
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2015
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.
#13 - Episode 8
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/13/2019
Allegations against Noah surface and he seeks guidance on how to handle the situation. Helen celebrates a birthday and protects Sierra during an extremely trying time.
#14 - Episode 1
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/4/2015
Noah and Helen attempt to conduct amicable divorce proceedings. Surprising developments in Helen's life lead to unexpected emotions.
#15 - Episode 7
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2015
Alison's mother raises concerns about her and Noah's new lifestyle. Alison confronts Noah about his book. Cole lashes out at Luisa and is further alienated from his family in the wake of startling revelations.
#16 - Episode 6
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/2015
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.
#17 - Episode 7
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/23/2014
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.
#18 - Episode 10
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2015
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.
#19 - Episode 9
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/22/2017
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.
#20 - Episode 4
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/11/2016
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.
#21 - Episode 6
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/22/2018
Noah supports Anton in a decision about his future which puts Janelle in a complicated spot with her ex-husband. Alison makes a surprising discovery about her father, and another about Ben that eventually leads her back to Noah.
#22 - Episode 5
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/18/2016
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.
#23 - Episode 8
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2015
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.
#24 - Episode 2
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/27/2016
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.
#25 - Episode 4
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2015
Helen makes an innocent mistake that leads to outrageous consequences. A court order leads to a dire setback for Noah and Alison.