10 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
This season of "The Affair" focuses on the fractured lives of Noah Solloway, a writer, and Helen Solloway, his ex-wife, as they navigate new relationships and personal crises. Noah seeks connection in Los Angeles, while Helen grapples with her partner Vik's serious illness and a surprising request. Meanwhile, Alison Bailey, Noah's former lover and mother of his child, struggles with her past and her role as a mother.
The central conflict escalates as Alison's life unravels, leading to her death, initially ruled a suicide. This shocking event forces Noah and Alison's former partner, Cole Lockhart, to confront the truth. They discover Alison was murdered by her lover, Ben, who staged her death.
The season concludes with Alison's funeral, bringing the main characters together in grief. Vik's health deteriorates, and Helen faces his impending death, while Cole embarks on a journey with Alison's daughter, Joanie.
Season 4 of The Affair covers episodes 1-10. Here's everything that happened:
Season 4, Episode 1: Episode 1 - Noah struggles adjusting to LA, teaching Animal Farm while connecting with a troubled student. Helen copes with anxiety and Trevor's sexuality. The episode reveals Alison is missing. It concludes with Vic collapsing, leaving Helen in shock.
Season 4, Episode 2: Episode 2 - Cole struggles with Alison's behavior as it threatens a business deal, while Luisa's legal status creates problems. Alison, working as a grief counselor, connects with a veteran, Ben. Cole confronts his past and feelings for Alison. The episode concludes with Alison and Ben forming a connection, and Luisa's undocumented status jeopardizing her future.
Season 4, Episode 3: Episode 3 - Noah's attempts to help Anton at Compton Academy lead to a kiss with Principal Wilson. Helen struggles with Vik's cancer diagnosis and his wish to keep it secret. Vik reveals he wants Helen to have a baby. The episode concludes with Helen seemingly at a fertility clinic.
Season 4, Episode 4: Episode 4 - Alison confronts her past with Ben through EMDR therapy, discussing her son's death. Cole's protectiveness of Alison strains his marriage to Luisa, who asks him to legally declare Alison an unfit mother. Cole leaves Luisa and Joanie, going on a "walkabout" to California. Alison confronts her fear by entering the ocean.
Season 4, Episode 5: Episode 5 - Vik confronts his mortality, leading to an affair. Cole meets Nan, his father's former lover, learning about his parents' complicated past. He realizes he's still in love with Alison and decides to pursue her, resolving to end his marriage with Luisa.
Season 4, Episode 6: Episode 6 - Alison learns that her supposed father wants a kidney and that her mother was raped by him. She discovers Ben is married. On a flight to see Noah, Alison is arrested after an incident. Noah bails her out, and she seeks help from Helen. The episode concludes with Alison questioning her choices and receiving blunt advice from Helen.
Season 4, Episode 7: Episode 7 - Helen seeks meaning in Joshua Tree while Noah takes Anton on a college tour. Helen bonds with Sierra and confronts Vic about his illness. Noah receives an ominous call from Cole about Alison. The episode ends with the revelation that Alison is missing, setting up the search for her.
Season 4, Episode 8: Episode 8 - Cole, determined to win Alison back, tracks her to California, learning of her affair with Ben and subsequent disappearance. He teams up with Noah, and they discover Alison has died, seemingly by suicide. Cole refuses to believe it and confronts Ben. The episode concludes with Noah grappling with guilt over his last interaction with Alison.
Season 4, Episode 9: Episode 9 - The episode presents two versions of Alison's evening with Ben. In one, they connect deeply, but in the other, a darker Ben emerges. After Alison threatens to reveal his secrets, Ben pushes Alison, causing her to hit her head. He then dumps her unconscious body into the ocean, staging her death as a suicide.
Season 4, Episode 10: Episode 10 - Alison's funeral brings Noah, Cole, and Helen together as they grapple with her death. Cole steals Alison's ashes, leading to emotional confrontations. Vik's health worsens, and Helen faces his impending death. The episode concludes with Cole taking Joanie on a road trip and Helen contemplating her future.
