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TV SERIES / EPISODE GUIDE

The Affair

EndedFirst aired 2014-10-12Paramount+ with Showtime

Drama · Romance

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. The provocative drama unfolds when Alison and Noah meet in Montauk at the end of Long Island.

FROM THE SHOW GUIDE

Season by season.

53 listed episodes across 5 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.

Season 1 10 episodes

E01

Episode 1

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.

E02

Episode 2

Preparations are made at the Butler estate for an annual summer party. Meanwhile, aspects of Noah and Alison's separate lives start to weave together and the two are forced to consider an inevitability.

E03

Episode 3

Noah asks Alison to help him research the local culture for his novel, 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.

E04

Episode 4

Noah and Alison grow closer on a day trip to remote Block Island, but they quickly realize that intimacy can be a double-edged sword.

E05

Episode 5

Alison gets a surprise visit from her estranged mother; Noah struggles with his daughter's behavior.

E06

Episode 6

Noah discovers there is more to Alison than he's been led to believe

E07

Episode 7

Helen asks Noah to represent the family at a literary award ceremony for her father. But a chance encounter with Alison and her grandmother leads to an uncomfortable truth.

E08

Episode 8

Helen asks Noah to represent the family at a literary award ceremony for her father. But a chance encounter with Alison and her grandmother leads to an uncomfortable truth.

E09

Episode 9

A revelation about their daughter Whitney makes Noah and Helen realize their troubled marriage is directly affecting their children. Meanwhile, a remorseful Alison heads towards a reckoning.

E10

Episode 10

The disappearance of Whitney causes Helen to scrutinize Noah and his relationship with Alison and her family. Meanwhile, Cole searches for answers at Lockhart Ranch; and Det. Jeffries makes significant progress on the case.

Season 2 12 episodes

E01

Episode 1

Noah and Helen try to have an amicable divorce, but inescapable conflict is revealed; Helen experiences surprising developments.

E02

Episode 2

Alison's summer with Noah is interrupted by an unwelcome guest. Meanwhile, Cole's self-destructive lifestyle causes everyone to become concerned.

E03

Episode 3

Noah's undying love for Alison leads to serious consequences. Meanwhile, Alison discovers a surprising truth about how to sustain a marriage.

E04

Episode 4

Helen makes an innocent mistake that leads to outrageous consequences. Meanwhile, a court order leads to a dire setback for Noah and Alison.

E05

Episode 5

Alison is thrown by an unpleasant shift in behavior from her Hudson Valley hosts and furious with Noah after a chance discovery about his new book. Meanwhile, Cole rejects Scotty's plan to make money for the family and enjoys an unexpected connection with someone new; and Scotty catches Cole in a situation best kept secret.

E06

Episode 6

A medical emergency with Martin casts Helen and Noah's litigation process in a new light; Helen makes a long-overdue decision; Noah is surprised when Alison wants to stay with her mother at the Sousanna Institute and realizes that the dynamics of their relationship have shifted, which leads to some troublesome discoveries.

E07

Episode 7

Alison's mother raises concerns about Noah and Alison's new lifestyle; Alison confronts Noah about his revealing new book over Thanksgiving dinner; Cole lashes out at Luisa and is further alienated from his family in the wake of startling revelations.

E08

Episode 8

Helen is bewildered by Whitney's future plans; Helen surprises Noah with a difficult admission; Noah faces increased temptations when his fame escalates.

E09

Episode 9

Alison weathers a momentous journey alone; Helen receives unexpected attention from a sexy but exasperating source; Noah faces a terrible reckoning; Cole is pushed to the edge by an array of challenges.

E10

Episode 10

Noah grapples with some essential questions. Meanwhile, Alison begins to doubt a recent ambition, and renewed interactions with the Lockhart brothers force her to consider a harrowing possibility.

E11

Episode 11

A series of revelations rattle Noah; Alison makes a momentous decision.

E12

Episode 12

Season 2 ends as events set in motion long ago come to their conclusion. A startling admission causes Noah to withdraw from his new life. Meanwhile, Alison is honest with Noah and herself; a dispute between Cole and Scotty is followed by tragedy; and a turn in Noah's trial results in a shocking event.

Season 3 10 episodes

E01

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.

E02

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.

E03

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.

E04

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.

E05

Episode 5

Alison spends a day with Noah on Block Island; a wistful Noah finds his problems returning with a force.

E06

Episode 6

Noah's unexplained absence sends Helen on a journey of increasingly troublesome discoveries. Meanwhile, Noah is compelled to return to a place he's spent his life trying to escape and attempts to repair his relationship with Martin before it's too late.

E07

Episode 7

Helen embarks on a journey of troublesome discoveries; Noah tries to repair his relationship with Martin.

E08

Episode 8

An unexpected event gives Alison reason to celebrate but it also provokes a sobering realization. Soon after, a startling warning leaves her pondering the unthinkable. Meanwhile, Cole's frustrations with Alison come to a head and reveal a radical truth.

E09

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.

E10

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 4 10 episodes

E01

Episode 1

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.

E02

Episode 2

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.

E03

Episode 3

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.

E04

Episode 4

Alison and Ben dig into her past and begin confronting her fears. Cole's relationship with Alison is jeopardizing his marriage to Luisa.

E05

Episode 5

Vik decides it's time he started living for himself. But is he ready to face the consequences? Cole meets Nan, an old friend of his father's, who sends him on a journey to exorcise the ghosts of his past.

E06

Episode 6

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.

E07

Episode 7

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.

E08

Episode 8

A hopeful epiphany leads Cole on a journey to a horrific discovery. Noah questions his role in tragic events.

E09

Episode 9

Ben finally confesses the truth to Alison. But is it too late for their relationship?

E10

Episode 10

Noah and Anton visit Princeton 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.

Season 5 11 episodes

E01

Episode 1

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. Season premiere

E02

Episode 2

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.

E03

Episode 3

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.

E04

Episode 4

Noah, Margaret and Stacey bond over their mutual distaste for Sasha. Noah attempts to sabotage Helen and Sasha's relationship. Whitney and Colin face the hardships of their relationship. Joanie visits the graveyard.

E05

Episode 5

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.

E06

Episode 6

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.

E07

Episode 7

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.

E08

Episode 8

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.

E09

Episode 9

As controversy swirls around Noah, Helen and Whitney must decide where their allegiances lie.

E10

Episode 10

As wildfires threaten Los Angeles, Helen and Noah are forced to run for their lives and confront old wounds along the way.

E11

Episode 11

It's Whitney's wedding day and everything comes full circle.

Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.