The Affair backdrop
Drama

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

Airs on
Showtime
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Affair Season 4 Episode 8 - 408
    9.2/10(1067 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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Affair Season 5 Episode 11 - 511
    9.1/10(1414 votes)

    #2 - 511

    S5:E11

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Affair Season 4 Episode 9 - 409
    8.9/10(846 votes)

    #3 - 409

    S4:E9

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

    Director:Sam Gold
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Affair Season 2 Episode 12 - 212
    8.8/10(918 votes)

    #4 - 212

    S2:E12

    Events set in motion long ago come to their conclusion.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Affair Season 4 Episode 10 - 410
    8.6/10(730 votes)

    #5 - 410

    S4:E10

    Noah and Anton visit Yale where Noah encounters an old friend. An immensely difficult day forces Cole and Luisa to reexamine their relationship. Helen gets a new perspective on life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Affair Season 1 Episode 9 - 9
    8.5/10(986 votes)

    #6 - 9

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Affair

    READ
  7. The Affair Season 4 Episode 5 - 405
    8.5/10(853 votes)

    #7 - 405

    S4:E5

    Vik decides it’s time he started living for himself. But is he ready to face the consequences? Cole meets Nan, an old friend of his father’s, who sends him on a journey to exorcise the ghosts of his past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Affair Season 1 Episode 10 - 10
    8.4/10(986 votes)

    #8 - 10

    S1:E10

    Detective Jeffries makes significant progress on his case.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Affair Season 2 Episode 9 - 209
    8.4/10(783 votes)

    #9 - 209

    S2:E9

    Alison weathers a journey alone. Noah faces a terrible reckoning.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Alena Smith

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Affair Season 5 Episode 10 - 510
    8.4/10(667 votes)

    #10 - 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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Affair Season 5 Episode 9 - 509
    8.3/10(640 votes)

    #11 - 509

    S5:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Affair Season 2 Episode 7 - 207
    8.2/10(673 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Affair Season 3 Episode 9 - 309
    8.2/10(648 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Affair Season 1 Episode 1 - 1
    8.1/10(1589 votes)

    #14 - 1

    S1:E1

    Noah escapes the city with his family to a Long Island estate. Alison and her husband struggle to move past a tragedy. Noah and Alison meet in a chance encounter.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writer:Sarah Treem

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Affair Season 2 Episode 10 - 210
    8.1/10(688 votes)

    #15 - 210

    S2:E10

    Noah grapples with questions. Alison considers a harrowing possibility.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Affair Season 1 Episode 7 - 7
    8.0/10(889 votes)

    #16 - 7

    S1:E7

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

    Director:Ryan Fleck
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi, Kate Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Affair Season 2 Episode 4 - 204
    8.0/10(684 votes)

    #17 - 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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Affair Season 2 Episode 5 - 205
    8.0/10(669 votes)

    #18 - 205

    S2:E5

    Alison is thrown by a shift in behavior from her hosts, and furious with Noah after a chance discovery. Meanwhile, Cole rejects Scotty's plan to make money - but not before Scotty catches him in a situation best kept secret.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Affair Season 2 Episode 11 - 211
    8.0/10(625 votes)

    #19 - 211

    S2:E11

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Affair Season 4 Episode 6 - 406
    8.0/10(558 votes)

    #20 - 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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Affair Season 1 Episode 6 - 6
    7.9/10(902 votes)

    #21 - 6

    S1:E6

    Noah discovers there's more to Alison than he's been led to believe.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Affair Season 2 Episode 1 - 201
    7.9/10(835 votes)

    #22 - 201

    S2:E1

    Noah and Helen attempting to conduct amicable divorce proceedings, but complications bring about inescapable conflict. Meanwhile, surprising developments in Helen's life lead to unexpected emotions.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Affair Season 2 Episode 6 - 206
    7.9/10(651 votes)

    #23 - 206

    S2:E6

    A medical emergency casts Helen and Noah's litigation process in a new light, causing Helen to make a long overdue decision. The dynamic of Noah and Alison's relationship shifts as troublesome discoveries are made.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Affair Season 2 Episode 8 - 208
    7.9/10(645 votes)

    #24 - 208

    S2:E8

    Helen is bewildered by Whitney's plans. Noah's fame escalates temptation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Affair Season 1 Episode 5 - 5
    7.8/10(926 votes)

    #25 - 5

    S1:E5

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

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writers:Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi, Kate Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"408" is the best rated episode of "The Affair". It scored 9.2/10 based on 1067 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 8/5/2018. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "511".