The Affair

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 12, 2014
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 179 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 233
  3. Negative: 40 out of 233
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User Reviews

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  1. trixxy
    Jan 4, 2015
    0
    Any show that needs multiple interviews with the producer, Sarah Treem, to woozily explain the narrative, is very deeply flawed. The Affair can't even maintain the pretense of two perspectives for longer than three episodes, as it crumbles into soggy nonsense soon after. Things that happen in Alison's perspective weren't even noticed or heard by her! Noah's as well! How does that work,Any show that needs multiple interviews with the producer, Sarah Treem, to woozily explain the narrative, is very deeply flawed. The Affair can't even maintain the pretense of two perspectives for longer than three episodes, as it crumbles into soggy nonsense soon after. Things that happen in Alison's perspective weren't even noticed or heard by her! Noah's as well! How does that work, according to Treem's iron-clad premise that everything we see is either Noah's or Alison's reality???

    My word this show is mess! Without the great performances by Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson it would be a total loss. Dominic West and Ruth Wilson give so many interpretations of ugly sex, and
    are forced to contradict their own "realities" so often , it's difficult to zero in on them at all. Who cares after a while.

    The Affair is incredibly lazy story telling, committed to a boring conceit, by half brained creators who blame the audience for not "getting it". Stories should stand on their own. They don't need producers telling us how to interpret them...unless the story is rotten.    … Expand
  2. j1train
    Oct 3, 2015
    3
    The pilot is brilliant. But it quickly deteriorates after a few episodes and becomes utterly absurd. Regardless of how good the acting is at times, this was arguably the most overrated show of 2014 -- no wonder the reviews were based on the pilot episode alone.
  3. Angellaa
    Dec 14, 2014
    3
    Started getting irritating when the different views (by the main characters) of the same events are totally different. Some differences dont even make sense man.
  4. jennadouglas
    Oct 13, 2014
    0
    This show is based around marital infidelity for no apparent reason other than boredom. No abuse, lack of attention from one's spouse, drugs or alcoholism. And it appears there is a terrible legal consequence. The leads are humorless pouters with no chemistry. They are each married so someone who is better looking, has a more pleasant personality and seems to love them. This is trulyThis show is based around marital infidelity for no apparent reason other than boredom. No abuse, lack of attention from one's spouse, drugs or alcoholism. And it appears there is a terrible legal consequence. The leads are humorless pouters with no chemistry. They are each married so someone who is better looking, has a more pleasant personality and seems to love them. This is truly depressing and I regret having even watched this one episode.… Expand
  5. Lyn
    Dec 14, 2014
    3
    Actually subscribed to Showtime just so I could catch this show (as well as "Homeland") and not have to wait for them to come to Netflix. I adored Dominic West in "The Wire," adored Maura Tierney in "ER" and "Rescue Me," admired Ruth Wilson in "Luther." How could this cast go wrong? Well, at least the new season of "Homeland" has been pretty good. THIS show has been disappointing, tedious,Actually subscribed to Showtime just so I could catch this show (as well as "Homeland") and not have to wait for them to come to Netflix. I adored Dominic West in "The Wire," adored Maura Tierney in "ER" and "Rescue Me," admired Ruth Wilson in "Luther." How could this cast go wrong? Well, at least the new season of "Homeland" has been pretty good. THIS show has been disappointing, tedious, irritating; I'm shocked at the critics' love for it. (Maybe they all dream of having an affair in the Hamptons?) No one is likable, from the oldest, constipated parents to the youngest, clueless kids. The couple who embark on the affair have nothing in common, and why the writer would risk his whole life & family for the rather duck-faced waitress is an utter mystery. I'm sure there are new, interesting things to say about the life-altering decision to have an affair ... but there's nothing the least bit illuminating here.… Expand
  6. Juju2015
    Nov 10, 2014
    2
    Tedious, pointless drivel. Unlike the side characters, who are compelling, the two main characters are uninteresting in the extreme. It. Is dull, dull, dull.
  7. Anemone
    Mar 4, 2015
    3
    Only saw the first episode - just couldn't bring myself to watch any other episodes. I started watching it because I heard from reviewers that it is pretty good and plus I like Ruth Wilson. Ugh. Was just so bored during the whole episode (two perspectives of the same boring scenes equals to double the boredom), brings nothing new to the subject, some of the acting is so-so, and I agreeOnly saw the first episode - just couldn't bring myself to watch any other episodes. I started watching it because I heard from reviewers that it is pretty good and plus I like Ruth Wilson. Ugh. Was just so bored during the whole episode (two perspectives of the same boring scenes equals to double the boredom), brings nothing new to the subject, some of the acting is so-so, and I agree with some reviewers that some of the characters are obnoxious. Even the sex scenes were a big yawn. I was tickled by the end of that first episode but not enough to want to watch any additional episodes.… Expand
  8. jwardzala
    Dec 14, 2014
    0
    Horrible series that of course the critics love. The actors are up for Golden Globes. Basically it is about to homely, immoral and really unlikeable people who cheat on their respective spouses. The story line is boring and then we have to watch these horrible people have sex. Too bad it has been renewed. A total waste of airtime.
  9. Jimjam12
    Dec 21, 2014
    0
    The characters can only be described as dense, horny morons who do nothing but sleep around with everyone except their spouse, and that's the whole premise of the show. Yeah. Pretty bad right?

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best TV Season of 2014
43
#43 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
4
#4 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Oct 14, 2014
    60
    Reiner keeps the interest level high but The Affair requires much more buy-in than the pilot cares to offer.
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  2. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Oct 13, 2014
    80
    As was the case with the controversial "In Treatment," those with no patience for self-analysis or a psychologically minded view of relationships may find The Affair slow going. But the mystery element should keep even impatient viewers guessing.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Oct 13, 2014
    90
    It's a terrific idea lyrically written and perfectly cast.
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