The Affair, Showtime's "his side, her side" new series, has only been on air for three episodes—but already, everyone agrees it’s a television phenomenon not to be missed. The sophisticated series, which tells the story of a summer affair between a Long Island waitress, Alison, and a visiting author and father of four, Noah, is quality television at its best—detail-oriented, smartly casted, skillfully directed.
As the story unfolds, two versions of the same summer occupy each episode, from both Noah's and Alison's perspectives. The technique allows us to compare the memories and narratives—and differences exist on many telling levels. For instance, the other person, in each version, is the more flirtatious and aggressive one. Meanwhile, Alyson lingers on romantic details while Noah is more tapped in to sexual clues (a gendered depiction, yes, but it works with the characters).
Another reason this is an Affair to remember? The fashion. The show shrewdly relies on style choices to underline slight, yet important shifts in memory and perception. This is especially true for the women—Noah's wife and daughter, and Allyson herself.
One compelling example: When Noah recalls his first encounter with Alison, at the Montauk lobster shack where she works, her waitress uniform seductively grazes her thighs, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. In Alison's version, the uniform is longer, frumpier, lacking the sensuality Noah read into. Later, Alison's ensembles, in Noah's eyes, are always girly and youthful, but in her recollections, they're plain and un-sexy. Noah's wife, played by the remarkable Maura Tierney (we always knew she deserved a good comeback) appears in two different dresses at a pool party scene—in one, she's sexy and sharp. In the other, she's bland.
Who is watching? Why does it matter? These questions pop up frequently, and if you watch closely, you'll notice how cuts, fabrics and colors play a major role in the show's bigger picture questions about relationships. Even Noah's daughter, by no means a main character, is different when remembered by her father or his lover.
If you thought The Affair was sublime so far (it is), the clever, thoughtful choices of the wardrobe department will convince you it's nothing short of magic.
