Thursday, August 30, 2018

What I’m Watching: The Affair (Season Finale)


The Affair: Season 4, Episode 10 (B+)

As far as I can remember, this is the first time that we’ve seen three separate perspectives in just one (extended) hour, each taking place almost entirely separately in stark contrast to the conflicting views of the same event we saw last week. It’s strange in a sense that things have spun out so much, though it’s understandable given that new people are brought into the web every time an affair begins. I’d love to see Janel Moloney take on a more substantial role than just as a would-be flame from Noah’s past, and Anton skewering Noah in front of the class because he thought it’s what they wanted from him was hardly believable given what we’ve seen of him thus far. What’s going on in Noah’s life feels almost irrelevant, especially compared to the intensity of what’s happening with Cole and Helen. Luisa has it together in a very impressive way considering that she’s seeing more and more that her husband was in love with his ex-wife in a way that he’s never been with her, and at least she will get her citizenship and to be a mother to Joanie even if Cole is never going to recover. Vic saw the light a bit too late, and Helen having Sierra go in to tell him that he’s going to leave something behind was actually kind and selfless. The fact that her having slept with Sierra also was a punchline indicates how absurd some of the drama on this show has gotten, but I think everything is coming back to a better place now. I’m more than happy not to see Whitney again since she’s gotten even more unbearable, and I’m still curious to see what the focus of the show’s fifth and final season will be when it returns. I’m willing to stick it out through the end.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Ruth Wilson as Alison

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