The Affair is a show many people will be unfamiliar with, or deliberately overlooked. Which is a shame, as it’s one of the most interesting dramas to hit TV (Showtime) in the past few years.
Its first season tells of an affair between Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and Alison Lockhart (Ruth Wilson) that begins when Noah heads to the Long Island resort town of Montauk, with his wife Helen (Maura Tierny) and two children, to try and work on his second novel. While there, he meets and falls for Alison (Ruth WIlson), a young waitress who returns his advances despite her attempts to salvage her marriage to husband Cole (Joshua Jackson), which has been fractured since the death of their young son. They begin their liaison in secret, while trying to hold their lives and relationships together.
So far so familiar, but where The Affair differs is in its structure. Its first season is arranged around a “whodunnit” murder mystery that Noah and Alison are dragged into, through police interviews recanting their blossoming, yet illicit relationship. From this stems the smart device the show uses: alternate perspectives. Each episode showcased scenes from the two viewpoints of the leads. While Noah recants a sexual liaison, in a hotel room with white sheets and passionate lovemaking, Alison has a seedier, raw recollection. This examination of memory bias includes whole scenes, conversations, or even the simplest inflection on a word, making for a fascinating study of relationships and conflict.
The show features an impressive ensemble, notably Dominic West (McNulty!) and the mesmerizing Ruth Wilson (Luther). Maura Tierny and Joshua Jackson are more than capable of providing the foil to this adulterous pair. It’s a drama that occasionally veers into melodramatic, with raw emotional moments that hit hard. These characters are flawed, often deluded souls, showcasing relationships at different stages, dealing with different problems. It can be a downer at times, but there’s enough levity, passion, and genuine moments that add balance. The ongoing mystery and machinations also add a layer of intrigue. On top of all this, it’s a fascinating examination of perspective and memory.
Season two made two big changes, switching much of the action from Montauk to Manhattan, while also adding the perspectives of Helen and Cole into the mix. It culminated in an answer to the ‘hit and run’ plot-line which threatened both of the women in his life, leading Noah to take the blame and serve time for manslaughter. Season three picks up three years after this as he looks to get his life back on track, struggling to reconnect with his family and restart his career. Alison has been having troubles of her own, raising her daughter Joanie alongside Cole and his new wife Luisa. Their past continues to cloud their lives, as their former partners try to do the same.
With the ‘murder’ subplot resolved, a new thread is woven into the show this season with the addition of Brendan Fraser to the cast, playing a security guard from Noah’s time in prison who brings a stalker vibe to proceedings. While Fraser does some of his best work in years, the plot feels a little tacked on. The most revitalizing new component is Irène Jacob, who plays Juliette Le Gall, a new love interest for Noah. She not only adds a new dynamic and energy to the show, but another ‘perspective’ too.
While this is refreshing, it does make things a little muddled. Juggling more POVs has somewhat diluted the juxtaposition of memories; it’s still an interesting watch, but has lost some of the nuance it had when comparing two people’s memory of an event. In some cases, there seems to be no comparison at all. It adds to a fragmented feel as the season begins, but it does coalesce into something stronger as it develops. While the premise/structure may be feeling a little stretched, there is still plenty to appreciate about The Affair. The acting is as superb as ever, the relationships explored are still gripping, and it still uses its concept of memory bias to explore truth and communication, concepts which lie at the very heart of the show.
The Package
The DVD release includes all 10 episodes of season three spread over 4 discs. Image quality is good, showcasing the gorgeous East coast aesthetic that further adds to the mood and tension that permeates the show. Special features are limited to three featurettes that mesh behind the scenes footage with interviews:
•Storytelling with Sarah Treem
•Playing Both Sides
•Dressing the Part
The Bottom Line
The Affair is a moving drama with exceptional characters married to a smart rumination on memory and the bias inherent to our own perspective on life. While season three starts to show some signs the concept is being stretched a little too thin, it remains an engaging piece of programming.
The Affair — Season 3 is available on DVD from April 25th