The Affair Season Premiere – “101” Review. Two Differing Viewpoints.

Season 1, Episode 1

Airdate: Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“I was a happy man back then…proud of my family; my first book had just come out. Everything I promised myself I’d achieve when I was a young man, I’d done it.” – Noah Solloway

The salacious side of me is responsible for me watching Showtime’s new drama, The Affair. I was expecting a fun, sexy look at an affair between two married people but it is not at all what I expected. The Affair is a somber tale of what happens when two people, who are supposedly in love with their spouses, meet at a diner in Montauk, Long Island and begin a romantic affair. What drives them to it and where it ends hopefully will make The Affair another big hit for Showtime.

Alison, as Noah sees her in his story.

What makes this new drama different from other infidelity-driven series is how it is presented—from two different viewpoints. The first half of “101” is Noah Solloway’s (Dominic West) story, as told by him, while Alison Lockhart (Ruth Wilson), a local Montauk waitress, tells the second half. As they recount how their affair began, a voice in the background—we later learn it belongs to Detective Jeffries (Victor Williams)—asks questions about how the two met. “Why don’t you tell me how it all began.” It is obvious there is some sinister element to The Affair but we never learn what that element is or why Noah and Alison are being interrogated. Interestingly, their narrations differ in important ways. The biggest difference being how both Alison and Noah see each other, as well as themselves, and covers such things as different clothing and dissimilar conversations. Noah paints Alison as the seductress, while Alison depicts Noah as the lothario. At this point, it is impossible to tell whose version of the events is true. Let’s remember, though, there are always three sides to a story—hers, his, and the truth.

The Solloway family stop for a bite to eat at the diner where Alison works.

Teacher and first-time author Noah escapes the city with his family to his well-to-do in-laws’ estate in Montauk, Long Island for summer vacation. Joining him are his loving wife Helen (Maura Tierney) and their four precocious children—daughters Whitney (Julia Goldani Telles) and Stacey (Leya Catlett), sons Trevor (Jadon Sand) and Martin (Jake Richard Siciliano). Helen’s father, Bruce Butler, an extremely successful author brilliantly played by John Doman, thinks nothing of putting Noah down, using every opportunity to remind him of his shortcomings, and what Bruce has done for Noah’s family. He even goes so far as to tell Noah, “Everyone has one book in them. Almost nobody has two.” Believe me, The Affairs’ writers waste no time in depicting Bruce as both a racist and a snob, and Doman takes to the role like a duck to water.

Hal (Danny Fischer), Mary-Kate (Kaija Matis), Cole and Alison join the Lockhart family for dinner.

Alison, on the other hand, is married to Cole Lockhart (Joshua Jackson), and together, they are dealing with a major loss. Cole, part of a large family headed by his mother Cherry (Mare Winningham), seems to be holding it together and moving on with his life. Alison, not so much. I empathize with Alison’s pain, and understand her need to want to run away from it all for a better life, as I experienced the same thing many years ago. Cole, unfortunately, is becoming irritated with Alison and her inability to let go.

Humorous Line

Noah: “When is she going to college?”

Helen: “Twelve years.”

It’s always fun to have morning sex interrupted by your child’s whiny voice…NOT!

Overall

“101” is a tad slow moving at times although terrifically acted by all. Sadly, Tierney doesn’t have a lot to do in the premiere and I’m hoping that will change soon. Unfortunately, neither West’s character nor Wilson’s are particularly interesting at this point and that is something the writers need to address if they want their audience to connect with them. The only actor who grabbed my attention is Jackson. Besides being extremely easy on the eyes, it’s obvious Cole loves Alison but dealing with a woman as draining as she is could certainly lead to an affair of his own. (You heard it here first.)

What The Affair has going for it at this point, besides Jackson, is the mystery. It’s obvious Detective Jeffries is questioning Noah and Alison at some point far off in the future because Alison makes reference to another child. So how long their affair lasts and what gets them to this point is what will make me watch at least one more episode. And who knows—maybe this he-said/she-said storytelling will click with The Affair’s viewers. It’s certainly different.

What did you think of the series premiere of The Affair? Do you think the series has promise? Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV. I’d really like to know what you think.

Tune in to The Affair Sundays at 10 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

Stay current with The Affair on its website: http://www.sho.com/sho/the-affair/home.

Socialize with The Affair on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, TVTag, and YouTube.

Follow these cast mates on Twitter: Noah/Dominic West @DominicWest, Cole/Joshua Jackson @VancityJax, Whitney/Julia Goldani Telles @JuliaGTelles, Jane/Nicolette Robinson @NicoletteKloe, Scotty Lockhart/Colin Donnell @ColinDonnell, Detective Jeffries/Victor Williams @BicVicWilliams, and writer Sarah Treem @SarahTreem.

And for fans of Joshua Jackson, join JoshuaJacksonFans @JoshuaJFan.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!