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 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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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?
#4 - 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.
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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.
#7 - 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.
#8 - Episode 3
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/4/2016
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.
#9 - 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.
#10 - 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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#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 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.
#18 - 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.
#19 - 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.
#20 - 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.
#21 - Episode 6
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/16/2014
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.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#24 - 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.
#25 - 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.