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The Best Episodes of The Affair

Every episode of The Affair ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Affair!

Binge this in 2d 3h•Peaking at 9.2/10

The emotional effects of an extramarital relationship between Noah, a New York City schoolteacher and budding novelist with a wife of twenty years and four children and Alison, a young waitress and wife from Montauk

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Affair Season 4 Episode 8 - 408
    9.2/10(1079 votes)

    #1 - 408

    S4:E8

    A hopeful epiphany leads Cole on a journey to a horrific discovery. Noah questions his role in tragic events.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Affair Season 5 Episode 11 - 511
    8.8/10(1429 votes)

    #2 - 511

    S5:E11

    It's Whitney's wedding day and everything comes full circle.

    Director:Sarah Treem
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  3. The Affair Season 5 Episode 10 - 510
    8.7/10(675 votes)

    #3 - 510

    S5:E10

    As wildfires threaten Los Angeles, Helen and Noah are forced to run for their lives and confront old wounds along the way.

    Director:Toa Fraser
    Writer:Katie Robbins

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  4. The Affair Season 4 Episode 1 - 401
    8.5/10(639 votes)

    #4 - 401

    S4:E1

    Noah struggles to adjust to his new life after moving to Los Angeles to be closer to his kids. He attempts to reach a gifted but troubled student while under the stern eye of the school's principal. Helen finally discovers the source of her anxiety, only to be blindsided by a new catastrophe. Season premiere.

    Director:Mike Figgis
    Writer:Sharr White

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  5. The Affair Season 1 Episode 10 - 10
    8.4/10(994 votes)

    #5 - 10

    S1:E10

    Detective Jeffries makes significant progress on his case.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  6. The Affair Season 2 Episode 12 - 212
    8.3/10(925 votes)

    #6 - 212

    S2:E12

    Events set in motion long ago come to their conclusion.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Affair

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  7. The Affair Season 5 Episode 9 - 509
    8.3/10(649 votes)

    #7 - 509

    S5:E9

    As controversy swirls around Noah, Helen and Whitney must decide where their allegiances lie.

    Director:Allison Anders
    Writer:Katie Robbins

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  8. The Affair Season 1 Episode 9 - 9
    8.2/10(996 votes)

    #8 - 9

    S1:E9

    Noah and Helen face a revelation. Alison spirals towards a reckoning.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Affair Season 4 Episode 9 - 409
    8.2/10(856 votes)

    #9 - 409

    S4:E9

    Ben finally confesses the truth to Alison. But is it too late for their relationship?

    Director:Sam Gold
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  10. The Affair Season 5 Episode 1 - 501
    8.0/10(685 votes)

    #10 - 501

    S5:E1

    Noah embarks on his journey with the Descent movie by getting acquainted with his star, Sasha Mann. Helen mourns a tragic event. Sierra welcomes a new arrival. Joanie struggles with an upcoming birthday.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  11. The Affair Season 5 Episode 8 - 508
    8.0/10(514 votes)

    #11 - 508

    S5:E8

    Allegations against Noah surface and he seeks guidance on how to handle the situation. Helen celebrates a birthday and protects Sierra during an extremely trying time.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Kristina Woo

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  12. The Affair Season 3 Episode 9 - 309
    7.8/10(655 votes)

    #12 - 309

    S3:E9

    Helen's escape to Montauk exacerbates her guilt and hastens an identity crisis: should the truth finally come out? Noah's world collapses, leaving him to process something horrific.

    Directors:Jeffrey Reiner, John Dahl
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Sarah Sutherland

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  13. The Affair Season 4 Episode 2 - 402
    7.8/10(559 votes)

    #13 - 402

    S4:E2

    Cole tries to keep Alison’s behavior from ruining an important deal while Luisa’s legal status threatens their future. An encounter with a local surfer leads Cole to question if he’s the same person he used to be. Alison is saved by a handsome stranger.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  14. The Affair Season 4 Episode 3 - 403
    7.8/10(553 votes)

    #14 - 403

    S4:E3

    Noah’s attempt to teach his students a lesson in civil duty spirals out of control. Helen can’t handle Vik’s decision and goes behind his back, only to find resistance everywhere she turns.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Katie Robbins

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  15. The Affair Season 4 Episode 4 - 404
    7.8/10(552 votes)

    #15 - 404

    S4:E4

    Alison and Ben dig into her past and begin confronting her fears. Cole’s relationship with Alison is jeopardizing his marriage to Luisa.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  16. The Affair Season 4 Episode 6 - 406
    7.8/10(566 votes)

    #16 - 406

    S4:E6

    Noah supports Anton in a decision about his future which puts Janelle in a complicated spot with her ex-husband. Alison makes a surprising discovery about her father, and another about Ben that eventually leads her back to Noah.

    Director:Stacie Passon
    Writers:Sarah Sutherland, Lydia R. Diamond

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  17. The Affair Season 1 Episode 7 - 7
    7.7/10(899 votes)

    #17 - 7

    S1:E7

    With the summer coming to an end, the Solloways are returning to Brooklyn.

    Director:Ryan Fleck
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  18. The Affair Season 2 Episode 7 - 207
    7.7/10(680 votes)

    #18 - 207

    S2:E7

    Alison's mother raises concerns about her and Noah's new lifestyle. Alison confronts Noah about his book. Meanwhile, Cole lashes out at Luisa and is further alienated from his family in the wake of startling revelations.

    Directors:Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
    Writer:Abe Sylvia

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  19. The Affair Season 1 Episode 5 - 5
    7.6/10(939 votes)

    #19 - 5

    S1:E5

    Alison and Noah are forced to confront new obstacles at home.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  20. The Affair Season 2 Episode 4 - 204
    7.6/10(694 votes)

    #20 - 204

    S2:E4

    Helen makes an innocent mistake that leads to outrageous consequences. Meanwhile, a court order leads to a dire setback for Noah and Alison.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Anya Epstein

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  21. The Affair Season 2 Episode 11 - 211
    7.6/10(632 votes)

    #21 - 211

    S2:E11

    A series of revelations rattle Noah. Alison makes a momentous decision.

    Director:Michael Slovis
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Affair Season 3 Episode 1 - 301
    7.6/10(788 votes)

    #22 - 301

    S3:E1

    Haunted by recent hardship, Noah struggles to navigate the challenges of his old life while attempting to adapt to a new one. A new love interest isn't enough to overcome a sense of dread. Someone is watching him. Season premiere.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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  23. The Affair Season 3 Episode 5 - 305
    7.6/10(634 votes)

    #23 - 305

    S3:E5

    Alison is motivated to spend a memorable day with Noah on Block Island for an unusual reason. Noah is left wistful by their profound connection, until the problems from which he was escaping return with a shocking force.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Sharr White

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  24. The Affair Season 5 Episode 6 - 506
    7.6/10(720 votes)

    #24 - 506

    S5:E6

    In Montauk for work, Joanie becomes acquainted with EJ. Together, they explore Joanie's family history, leading her to question the cause of her mother's death. Rattled, she starts to make some self-destructive decisions.

    Director:Silas Howard
    Writers:Sarah Sutherland, Jaquén Castellanos

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  25. The Affair Season 1 Episode 4 - 4
    7.5/10(1003 votes)

    #25 - 4

    S1:E4

    Noah and Alison grow closer on a day trip to remote Block Island.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Melanie Marnich

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Best Episodes Summary

"408" is the best rated episode of "The Affair". It scored 9.2/10 based on 1079 votes. Directed by Michael Engler and written by Unknown, it aired on 8/5/2018. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "511".