The Affair

[Ninacarter77]

Back next week on Sky Atlantic.

Loved series 1 apart from rubbish ending and so many loose ends.

[BeeeeAve]

Watched Series 2, episode 1 last night. I'm saving ep 2 for tonight...

I loved the two different versions of the mediation. Thought that was very clever. If ever there was a situation that each side would see totally differently, mediation would be it.

I totally get Helen smoking weed and shagging the cheesy rich guy even though it isn't particularly satisfying for her ...classic behaviour for someone who has had their entire world rocked.

I dont hate Noah. He is weak and selfish, but I identify with him in some ways. His 'perfect family life' was so stifling. That mother-in-law would have had me running for the hills long ago.

[oneowlgirl]

I'm part way through episode 2 - this series looks great so far, although the timeline is confusing me somewhat.

Really do feel for Alison though as Noah is so selfish & that rich guy shagging her was just yuck!!

[SeasonalVag]

That rich dude sex scene was revolting. On fact all the sex scenes are really cringe

[oneowlgirl]

You're right, all the sex scenes are but I think that's because they seem quite real rather than all 'movie perfect' with music etc!!

[MajesticWhine]

Just caught up. Loved it - really good telly. Was very confused about timeline for a while when we saw brother still alive.

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Seems we have gone back to s1 again and now having Coke and Helens version as well as what's happening now

Like the fact helen paid for his solicter

[ThatsHowYouGetAnts]

I'm enjoying series 2. A bit confused about the multi-perspectives thing though; in S1 we had the multiple viewpoints because they were being questioned by the police officer. So we could assume that each person's "segment" was an amalgam of their genuine memories of the events and possibly some exaggeration or falsehood based on what they wanted the cop to believe. That's not the case any more - is it? I mean - the part in episode 2 where we saw Alison and Cole meet at her house - it was VERY different in her segment from how it was in his. They're not still recounting this to a third party, so are these their genuine memories of how that encounter went?

Not sure I'm making sense here haha I'm just wondering what the framing device is now for the multiple perspectives. Alison apparently remembered their meeting as quite tense and hostile and fairly brief. Cole remembered it as warm and wistful and she made him eggs and they reminisced and hugged . Is one of them lying? If so, who are they lying to?

In other news, I have a lot of sympathy for Alison, but virtually none for Noah. I'm just finding him really shitty in everyone's perception. He doesn't seem to feel any guilt at all about the unhappiness of his children, particularly the younger boy...heart-rending ugh...I mean, I know many men DO leave their families for OW, it happens...but I'm struggling to empathise with him, he just doesn't seem that bothered at all.

[BeeeeAve]

I found the completely different versions of what happened in ep 2 (with Alison and Cole) confusing, too. They were 6so^ different, and i was also trying to get my head around whether these were their memories...or what they told the police?

I LOVE that little house Alison and Noah are living in, by the way. I would kill to be holed up there shagging writing for a month or two .

[hudyerwheesht]

I'm enjoying second series as well but I'm getting as confused as everyone else, it seems.

Agree with pp re whether what we are seeing is actual recollections or what happened. I've been wondering that ever since the investigator let them go, having finished interviewing.

The differences in those stories were subtle and more about how that character remembered things differently - since then I'm not really sure what to believe. I mean, the almost-shooting at the end of series one, for a start - two vastly different versions of what Cole did with his gun. Will we ever find out? I noticed Noah's daughter backed up the version where Cole points the gun at the family. And as others have said, his visit to Alison to return her stuff, totally different.

I start thinking about possible motives for these discrepancies but I can't usually remember whose story belongs to whom half the time. Makes my head ache, frankly.

[SeasonalVag]

It's much less subtle, yes, and I'm not sure if I have the energy to detangle everything.... At the moment Im Watching with a bit of a glazed expression

[bugsyburge]

Anyone got a link to the thread on series 1? I've just started watching but can't find a thread

[EachandEveryone]

I have jet lag but I'm going to give it ago.

[Blondeshavemorefun]

the affair s1

[dontpokethebear]

Aaah! So pleased I found this thread!
I love Helen, her character is great.
I also find Dominic West incredibly sexy! I'm clearly I'm in the minority makes him all mine

[bugsyburge]

Thank you

[Duckdeamon]

Yes, you're in the minority there don'tpokethebear! think it's that the Noah character really isn't attractive.

Have only seen the first episode. Stunning scenic shots and buildings, part of why I watch.

Noah was a twat over the DC, wanting joint custody at a future time of his choosing, so he could have plenty time to write and shag his OW.

When the shot showed the swanky hotel room and the cheesy rich man's bum, thought for a minute that Cole had gone up in the world, or at least was shagging someone rich, but was disappointed! Cheesy man does have a good bum, but sadly that seems one of his few good points!

The actor playing Helen has had too much work done on her face.

Helen's mother is so controlling!

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Prefer cole tho I liked JJ in the fringe

[oneowlgirl]

Helen hasn't had work done - has she? She looks the same as when she was in ER, just older to me.

[dontpokethebear]

I thought Maura/Helen was aging rather beautifully. Wasn't she the mum from 'Liar Liar'?

[FaFoutis]

I could really do without seeing Noah's huge muscular arse going up and down.

I watch on catch-up so I can fast forward it.

[FawnDrench]

So who killed Scotty then, if it wasn't Noah?
My money's on Whitney - very unpredictable and self-obsessed if last night was anything to go by.

And why on earth would Cole invite his newly ex-wife and the man she had an affair with to his wedding?
I wonder if Cole marries the cook/maids daughter who we saw briefly last week when Cole nearly ran the little child over at Helens parents house.

Last nights episode was all secrets and lies, lies and secrets, layer upon layer.
I mean, who can you believe about anything, as everyone's just about lost credibility?

Thought Ruth Wilson was superb though. Great actress.

[Duckdeamon]

Nah, definitely lots of botox, collagen, fillers etc at the very least!

Cole looked very smug when Noah was up in court. He's a suspect too I reckon!

[EachandEveryone]

I got back from NYC this week so it was a real treat watching the Affair and recognising Washington Square Park etc. I wasn't as confused as I normally am watching three in a row.

I have a question though, that night he got drunk at the beach bar wasn't that the night he had the accident?

[Lolly12]

So glad this is back already!

Really like the extra points of view. Even if it's adding to the not knowing what's actual reality or exaggerated recollections. Even their clothes are different in the alternative versions!

I'm also thinking Whitney as prime suspect in the hit and run, with her dad covering for her, especially after we found out she has a restraining order. Her character is brilliant though.

I thought the discussion about Noah not wanting more kids in Alison's? viewpoint while they were at dinner with the owners of the house was interesting, considering we know in the future they have a daughter.

Someone very helpfully posted a link to this blog in the thread from series 1 - www.avclub.com/tv/the-affair/ and i find it great for reading after you've watched an episode. Have to have a lot of willpower not to look ahead for spoilers though.....

Eachandeveryone I don't think that was the same night but I might be wrong... The accident which killed Scott Lockhart was in the night of Cole's wedding. I think I need to go back and read all of the series 1 episode blog posts though.

[SeasonalVag]

Anybody watching? What was that she ate...drugs...