The Affair: Season 5

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

SHOWTIME | Season Premiere Date: August 25, 2019

Summary: The fifth and final season finds Helen (Tierney) having an affair with a movie star (Claes Bang) while a flash-forward sees Alison and Cole's daughter Joanie Lockhart (Anna Paquin) seeking answers to what happened to her mother.

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 5 Episodes

tbd
S5:E11. 511
Air Date: November 3, 2019
tbd
S5:E11. 511
Air Date: November 3, 2019
tbd
S5:E10. Episode 510
Air Date: October 27, 2019

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Liz Shannon Miller

Aug 21, 2019

Paquin’s performance fits perfectly into the show’s emotionally raw vibe. ... The only true thing this show believes in: there is no such thing as the truth. It’s an undercurrent which can sweep you away into an ocean of uncertainty; hopefully, this final season of The Affair finds a way to remain true to that ethos, while also delivering an ending that may not reveal all, but still proves satisfying. Based on the first three episodes, that possibility is real. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Aug 23, 2019

The first three episodes, made available for this review, are fine as they are, even if the loss of two of the show’s best characters and cast members (Ruth Wilson as Alison Bailey and Joshua Jackson as Cole Lockhart) is difficult to overcome. ... Yet, to be entirely honest, I’d probably follow these characters (even Whitney) for an indefinite number of seasons — partly because of the sucker that I am, but also because “The Affair” can never be completely considered down for the count. Read full review

Amanda Bell

Aug 27, 2019

The central character list might be a bit slimmer, but the suffering is still the same in The Affair's fifth and final season. Read full review

Jen Chaney

Aug 22, 2019

Tierney’s performance as Helen is what really anchors this season and makes it as watchable as it is. ... Paquin’s portrayal of Joanie is enigmatic, but that seems deliberate. ... What purpose does she serve within the broader context of this series? What exactly does she know about her parents and, specifically, about how her mother died? It’s unclear after three episodes. Read full review

User Score

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6.7

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User Reviews

asmanraj

Sep 2, 2019

I really miss Alison and Cole. However, their departure may be a blessing in disguise, since Anna Paquin has joined to show to play an adult Joanie, and Joanie is this season's most intriguing character. Moreover, The Affair has now become the most important scripted show on TV, because itI really miss Alison and Cole. However, their departure may be a blessing in disguise, since Anna Paquin has joined to show to play an adult Joanie, and Joanie is this season's most intriguing character. Moreover, The Affair has now become the most important scripted show on TV, because it shows how Montauk becomes ravaged in the near future as a result of humans not taking action against anthropogenic climate change. (Another recent drama that takes place in the near future, HBO's Years and Years, ignored the effects of anthropogenic climate change to focus on political chaos.) It is delusional to think Montauk will stay the way it is now if we don't take action against anthropogenic climate change.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

AMC4x4

Nov 13, 2019

I didn't know how this show was going to continue without Allison, but I should have had faith in the showrunners and writers of this intense show. There are so many topics covered in this season - from questions surrounding redemption, to the complexities of long-term relationships, to theI didn't know how this show was going to continue without Allison, but I should have had faith in the showrunners and writers of this intense show. There are so many topics covered in this season - from questions surrounding redemption, to the complexities of long-term relationships, to the fear of raising children in a world that's dying. I haven't read all the reviews here, but I haven't seen any callouts for Emily Browning, who deserves some special mention especially for episode five of this season. As I write this, series co-creator Sarah Treem just signed an overall deal with Fox 21 Television. Can't wait to see what she does next.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

truerock

Aug 26, 2019

Season 5 of The Affair starts in episode 1 with the same excellent writing, acting, directing and editing as the first 4 seasons. Obviously everyone is wondering how the show can continue without the excellent contribution of Ruth Wilson as Alison Bailey. I think writers often kill off theSeason 5 of The Affair starts in episode 1 with the same excellent writing, acting, directing and editing as the first 4 seasons. Obviously everyone is wondering how the show can continue without the excellent contribution of Ruth Wilson as Alison Bailey. I think writers often kill off the best actors of a series for always bad reasons - but, predominately because they don't understand the synergistic process between writing and acting. The writer feels that the writing transcends the acting - which is absolutely almost never true.

I guess if I am compelled to critique something in regard to this excellent first episode of season 5 - it would be the emo-music at the end. This is a personal thing for me and I know many, if not most individuals would disagree - but, to me emo-music in a film is a cop-out - and, worse than a cop-out it ruins the part of the film the emo-music is in. If the writer and/or director had to decided to actually write an ending to the first episode it would have been so much better than a emo-music-video ending.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

OlivierPiel

Sep 3, 2019

77 rating by "professional" critics. That is impressive for a soap opera riddled with ridiculous ex-machina plot twists and so many deaths of 40 year old characters that you would think the average life expectancy in America is about the same as in ancient Rome. Its one trick, viewing the77 rating by "professional" critics. That is impressive for a soap opera riddled with ridiculous ex-machina plot twists and so many deaths of 40 year old characters that you would think the average life expectancy in America is about the same as in ancient Rome. Its one trick, viewing the same scene now from 3 or 4 different perspectives, has become as nuanced as the upper and lower parts of a Rothko painting, without sadly the corresponding artistic value.
77 can be explained: The writers have ceremoniously peppered the show with all the PC clichés that prevent any critic to issue a negative opinion.
Only the acting of the two main characters deserve recognition. I just hope for their sake that the boozing on the show is real and helps them get through the day to their paycheck.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

Seasons & Episodes

81

Series Overview
Season 5

77
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: August 25, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E11. 511
  Air Date: November 3, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E11. 511
  Air Date: November 3, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E10. Episode 510
  Air Date: October 27, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E9. 509
  Air Date: October 20, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E9. 509
  Air Date: October 20, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E8. 508
  Air Date: October 13, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E7. 507
  Air Date: October 6, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E6. 506
  Air Date: September 29, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E5. 505
  Air Date: September 22, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E4. 504
  Air Date: September 15, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E3. 503
  Air Date: September 8, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E2. 502
  Air Date: September 1, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E1. 501
  Air Date: August 25, 2019
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: June 17, 2018
Season 3

72
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: November 20, 2016
Season 2

78
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 4, 2015
Season 1

85
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 12, 2014