Synopsis:
The must-watch series features mesmerizing performances by Golden Globe nominee Dominic West (“The Wire”), Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson (“Luther”), Emmy® winner Maura Tierney (“The Good Wife”) and Joshua Jackson (“Fringe”).
With a murder unsolved and a betrayal exposed, everyone’s truth is suspect. Full of complex family ties, passionate betrayals and the vengeful emotions that have resulted from an illicit summer liaison, THE AFFAIR: SEASON TWO follows the differing perspectives of the two couples Noah Solloway (West) and Helen Solloway (Tierney), and Alison Lockhart (Wilson) and Cole Lockhart (Jackson) – all still reeling from the ramifications of Noah and Alison’s extramarital affair. Told from four different points of view, the story cracks wide open to reveal a complicated web of intrigue and deceit more dangerous than anyone imagined. As the two estranged couples try individually to plan for the future, a new series of deceptions will once again force them to question everything they believed.
What We Thought:
Everyone kept telling me I had to watch The Affair. Even my parents loved the show. So long after the first season hit DVD, I watched it. And everyone was right. It’s damn good. Watching season 2 on DVD, it continues to be one of the smartest shows on television.
The finale of season 1 brought the arrest of Noah (Dominic West) for the murder of, well, they never actually said who in season 1. Season 2 tells who you died and who did it, but I won’t spoil it and trust me, you won’t figure it all out anyways. Season 1 was about “the affair” with season 2 being about the consequences of that affair.
Of course like in season 1, season 2 continues to use time jumping to tell its story. Season 1 you don’t realize was pretty much all a flashback besides the interrogation scenes and the arrest till the end. Season 2 jumps around with Noah becoming a celebrity with his hit book. He lives with Alison (Ruth Wilson) and has a baby in the city. Flashbacks show him and Alison living in a cottage as he writes the book with Alison going to medical school. Helen (Maura Tierney) is living the single life and dealing with the kids and has two different relationships throughout the season. And Cole (Josh Jackson) is dealing with the backlash of losing his wife, his family’s reputation being in the crapper because of Noah’s book and a new love interest.
Then there is the arrest, more of the investigation and the trial of Noah. The detective finds more and more information as does Noah’s attorney. You find out the exact truth at the end of the season as Cole’s wedding unfolds. I had some of it right, but didn’t see all of it coming.
The show is really good because not only is it smart and stylized, but the four leads are fantastic. All four should be nominated for awards every season. Just like in Dawson’s Creek, Josh Jackson’s character somehow becomes the moral compass of the show. He’s the only one not actively making bad decisions. As the other 3 continue to be their own worst enemies, Cole walks tall distancing himself from his family and ex-wife.
As much as I do like the show and can’t wait for the third season, there’s one thing that continues to bother me, Whitney. Noah and Helen’s oldest daughter is one of the worst characters on TV. It’s not the actress’s fault, in fact, she handles her scenes quite well, but Whitney is such a whining teenager that I can’t stand her. There are times I just want Noah, Helen or even Alison to pop her right in the face.
The Affair is great TV. If you watched season 1, you need to get season 2. It’s just as good if not better with more angles and stories colliding together. Just when you think you have it figured out, they throw another curveball at you. Nothing else to say besides:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Bonus Features:
- Character Profiles
- Tour of Montauk
- Memory Lanes
- Plus Bonus Disc including Billions Season 1 Pilot and Billions Episode 2
Cast & Crew
- Dominic West
- Maura Tierney
- Ruth Wilson
- Josh Jackson
The Nerds Templar 