The story begins in the beach town of Montauk, New York, where (Dominic West), a struggling novelist and father of four, meets Alison Lockhart (Ruth Wilson), a local waitress grieving the loss of her child.
The show’s defining feature is its . Each episode is typically split into two halves, showing the same events from different characters' viewpoints. These perspectives often clash in significant ways: The Affair
The Showtime series (2014–2019) is a multi-layered drama that explores the psychological and emotional ripple effects of an extramarital relationship. Created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, the show is renowned for its unique narrative structure, using a "Rashomon-style" perspective to tell its story. Core Premise and Narrative Device The story begins in the beach town of
: Characters remember themselves more favorably—for instance, in his memory, Noah might see Alison as a "sultry provocateur," while in her own, she is a grieving woman trying to get through the day. These perspectives often clash in significant ways: The