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The Worst Episodes of The Affair

Every episode of The Affair ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Affair!

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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 Worst Episode
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    The Affair Season 5 Episode 6 - 506
    5.9/10(728 votes)

    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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  2. The Affair Season 3 Episode 10 - 310
    6.3/10(924 votes)

    S3:E10

    Noah's visit to Paris provides Juliette with a distraction from unpleasant realities at home. A chance encounter offers Noah the possibility of healing a relationship in desperate need of repair.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Affair Season 5 Episode 2 - 502
    6.7/10(586 votes)

    S5:E2

    Janelle struggles with her relationship and work, so turns to Carl for support. Production for Descent commences, and Sasha takes an interest in Helen. Helen takes her first steps towards acceptance.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writers:Katie Robbins, Jaquén Castellanos

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  4. The Affair Season 5 Episode 5 - 505
    6.8/10(528 votes)

    S5:E5

    Sierra struggles to balance motherhood with her burgeoning acting career. Sierra's mother visits uninvited. Helen works her first design gig and begins to focus on herself.

    Director:Eva Vives
    Writer:Mike Batistick

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  5. The Affair Season 5 Episode 7 - 507
    6.8/10(568 votes)

    S5:E7

    Noah and Whitney travel to Montauk to begin planning the wedding. Noah gets a concerning call. Armed with new information about her mother's death, Joanie confronts a stranger.

    Director:Steven Fierberg
    Writer:Sarah Sutherland

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  6. The Affair Season 5 Episode 3 - 503
    6.9/10(532 votes)

    S5:E3

    Sasha proposes adjustments to Noah’s script. Sasha’s relationship with Helen blossoms, and Noah takes notice. Bruce’s condition worsens. Joanie’s business trip leads to violent encounters.

    Director:Steven Fierberg
    Writer:Itamar Moses

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Affair

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  7. The Affair Season 5 Episode 4 - 504
    7.0/10(541 votes)

    S5:E4

    Noah, Margaret and Stacey bond over their mutual distaste for Sasha. Noah attempts to sabotage Helen and Sasha’s relationship. Whitney and Colin face the hardships of their relationship. Joanie visits the graveyard.

    Director:Toa Fraser
    Writer:Donal Lardner Ward

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  8. The Affair Season 3 Episode 3 - 303
    7.2/10(657 votes)

    S3:E3

    Running from secrets she left behind in Paris, Juliette finds Noah an alluring prospect. But a terrifying event shatters all hope of an easy affair. Meanwhile, Noah must fight like never before to make sense of what just occurred.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:David Henry Hwang

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  9. The Affair Season 4 Episode 4 - 404
    7.2/10(561 votes)

    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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  10. The Affair Season 3 Episode 7 - 307
    7.3/10(557 votes)

    S3:E7

    Helen gives Noah the help he needs - but at what cost? At his absolute weakest, Noah's world has never seemed more hostile or bewildering. A vital moment of release turns suddenly into something that can't be undone.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Anya Epstein

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  11. The Affair Season 3 Episode 1 - 301
    7.4/10(799 votes)

    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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  12. The Affair Season 4 Episode 2 - 402
    7.4/10(568 votes)

    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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  13. The Affair Season 5 Episode 1 - 501
    7.4/10(693 votes)

    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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  14. The Affair Season 1 Episode 3 - 3
    7.5/10(1055 votes)

    S1:E3

    Noah turns to Alison to help him research the local culture for his novel.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Eric Overmyer

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  15. The Affair Season 1 Episode 4 - 4
    7.5/10(1014 votes)

    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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  16. The Affair Season 3 Episode 2 - 302
    7.5/10(667 votes)

    S3:E2

    One year earlier: after a stern request from Noah leaves Helen devastated, various pressures cause Helen and Vik to reexamine their relationship. Alison returns to Montauk after a crisis only to have her worst fears realized.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Anya Epstein

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  17. The Affair Season 3 Episode 4 - 304
    7.5/10(614 votes)

    S3:E4

    Cole is put in an increasingly impossible situation by Alison's return to his life. Alison must contend with Luisa while attempting to reconnect with her daughter. Simultaneously, a dangerous passion threatens to wreck everything.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Stuart Zicherman

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  18. The Affair Season 3 Episode 6 - 306
    7.5/10(563 votes)

    S3:E6

    An unexplained absence sends Helen on a journey of increasingly troublesome discoveries. Compelled to return to a place he's spent his life trying to escape, Noah attempts to repair his relationship with Martin.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Alena Smith

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  19. The Affair Season 3 Episode 8 - 308
    7.5/10(571 votes)

    S3:E8

    An unexpected cause to celebrate provokes a sobering realization in Alison. Soon after, a startling warning leaves her pondering the unthinkable. Cole's frustrations with Alison come to a head, revealing a radical truth.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Stuart Zicherman

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  20. The Affair Season 4 Episode 1 - 401
    7.5/10(650 votes)

    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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  21. The Affair Season 1 Episode 8 - 8
    7.6/10(862 votes)

    S1:E8

    A chance encounter with Alison leads to an uncomfortable truth.

    Director:Ryan Fleck
    Writers:Melanie Marnich, Dan LeFranc

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  22. The Affair Season 4 Episode 3 - 403
    7.6/10(563 votes)

    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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  23. The Affair Season 4 Episode 7 - 407
    7.6/10(581 votes)

    S4:E7

    Helen goes to Joshua Tree in search of meaning. Noah and Anton begin an adventure with high hopes until an ominous phone call alters their course.

    Director:Colin Bucksey
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Affair Season 5 Episode 8 - 508
    7.6/10(523 votes)

    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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  25. The Affair Season 1 Episode 2 - 2
    7.7/10(1183 votes)

    S1:E2

    Noah and Alison are forced to consider an inevitability.

    Director:Jeffrey Reiner
    Writer:Sarah Treem

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Worst Episodes Summary

"506" is the worst rated episode of "The Affair". It scored 5.9/10 based on 728 votes. Directed by Silas Howard and written by Sarah Sutherland, Jaquén Castellanos, it aired on 9/29/2019. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "310".