Dominic West
Ruth Wilson
Maura Tierney
Joshua Jackson

Created by:
Sarah Treem
Hagai Levi

2014-
Drama
Showtime
TV-MA

“The Affair” is a drama that will turn your expectations upside down. It provides numerous sucker punches to the gut by using the hallmarks of traditional dramas to disarm the viewer. …

The relationships presented in the pilot are clear and believable, regardless of the perspective. There are two major perspectives at play here. The first perspective is Noah Solloway’s (played by Dominic West). He’s a husband, father of four, and New York City schoolteacher who just published his first novel, which he’s not that happy with. He also received an advance for his second novel. His father-in-law is a writer, as well, and Noah is in his shadow. (We don’t know exactly how much of a struggle that is for Noah from the pilot, but it’s strongly implied.)

In Noah’s version of the events, Alison Lockhart (played by Ruth Wilson) is a temptress who doesn’t miss a chance to seduce him. She’s the personification of youth and sexual freedom. This is contrasted with his attempts to have sex with his wife that are thwarted by their young children’s interruptions every time. He loves his wife, but he wants to finish making love to his wife, as well. Thanks.

On the other hand, Alison has a different view of things. Her perspective is explored after Noah’s in this episode; this forces the audience to adjust its perceptions as it views her version of the events during the same timeline. We get not only what she experienced when she was not in Noah’s presence, but also what she experienced when she was in Noah’s presence. Her version is a bit different from Noah’s, many times in subtle but telling ways. The depiction of Noah’s youngest daughter choking on a piece of candy is a great example of that.

Alison is a grieving mother who, on the anniversary of her four-year-old son’s death, resents her husband’s seeming ease with it. Their marriage has been devastated by that death; something that Noah isn’t aware of during his version of the events. In her version, Noah is the one who initiates their interactions, but he doesn’t do it overtly. That lends a bit more credibility to her version, among other things. It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference. As we watch the events from her perspective, we get answers to questions that were introduced during Noah’s version. For instance, why does she love Peter Pan? It’s not for the reasons suggested in Noah’s version.

So, whom do you believe? Both? Neither? Are they lying, or are the differences simply the result of two people’s different memories and perspectives? The narration of the events comes from interviews that a detective conducts with each of them. So, we know that there must be a crime that happened. We don’t know what that crime is, though. Not yet.

The pilot of “The Affair” reminds me more of a film than of a television show: It has a cohesive and well-developed plot structure. It flows along in juxtaposition to its thorny subject matter and events. The writing and acting are superlative, especially for a pilot.

Furthermore, this show presents a challenge that’s an actor’s dream: The actors get a chance to present scenes from different points-of-view. So, to be successful, their performances must have subtle differences from perspective to perspective in order to depict each perspective’s point-of-view clearly. They do, and they’re lovely to watch.

If “The Affair” continues what it started in its pilot, it will be one of the most intriguing shows of this television season (maybe of any television season), not only structurally but also substantively. I’m still thinking about it right now. …

After the surprises of the pilot episode, unfortunately, this show’s formula loses its ability to … well, surprise. This is understandable, because the structure is no longer unexpected. After that introductory episode, the viewing experience mostly consists of wondering whether what we’re seeing is credible. They do a really good job of depicting Noah’s and Alison’s perspectives, but the plot inches forward. This is on purpose, but it takes a bit of the magic away. Overall, it’s still very good, though. …

By the end of the first season, “The Affair” has ironed out its wrinkles. The slight dip that it went through during the beginning of the middle of its first season has, actually, resulted in a show that’s able to reinvent itself in subtle ways. It doesn’t contain abrupt shifts in style or tone, but it does change. You can feel it. You’re always guessing. I hope that the next season will continue to keep us on our toes, but without the minor inconsistencies of this season. If they can find a way to shift without getting stuck in the middle of things, then “The Affair” will become a great show. It’s already very good, flaws and all. Plus, the acting is consistently sublime.

Verdict: Very Good Overall (Great Pilot, Good to Very Good Afterward)

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