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Warning: The following contains spoilers from The Affair series finale.
The theme song for The Affair, performed by Grammy Award winner Fiona Apple, was a melancholy ditty that spoke to the show’s themes of love and death. So it was only fitting that Apple also provide the song that closed out the Showtime drama’s five-season run.
In a surprisingly uplifting series finale, Noah and Helen got back together on the night of Whitney’s wedding. Then, 30 years in the future, an elderly Noah (who now managed the Lobster Roll) reconnected with Joanie and provided the clarity she so desperately needed about Alison. Rather than start anew with E.J. (who was revealed to be Sierra and Vik’s all-grown-up son Eddie James Ullah!), she returned home to her husband Paul and their two daughters. As for Noah, he visited Helen’s grave (R.I.P.!) to read to her from a memoir written by none other than their youngest daughter Stacey.
Then, in the very last scene, Noah trekked to a bluff that overlooked the ocean and started to dance — but it wasn’t just any dance, or any song. It was the dance he choreographed for Whitney’s wedding, and the song was a heartwarming cover of The Waterboys’ “The Whole of the Moon,” as performed by Apple.
Below, series co-creator Sarah Treem divulges on the fates of Noah, Helen and Joanie, reveals why Ben was never brought to justice for Alison’s murder, and explains the significance of the last scene. (For Part 2 of our post mortem about Alison and Cole, click here.)
TVLINE | Before we dive into the finale, I wanted to circle back to penultimate episode, wherein Noah listened to Alison’s Season 1 deposition. You also included flashbacks that were previously part of Alison’s perspective. Can you talk a little bit about the significance of that scene, and how it set up the end of Noah’s arc?
The idea for Noah Solloway, and the show as a whole, is that everybody sees things from their own perspective, and that everybody is trapped in the prism of their own perspective, so we see events radically different from other people based on who we are, where we came from, what our own memories are… All of that influences the way that we see a scene. But in order for a character to quote unquote change, specifically for the Noah Solloway character to change, we thought, “What would it take for him to see something through somebody else’s perspective? What if Noah were to go back and re-remember what happened all of those years ago, but this time see it through Alison’s perspective?” That was the idea behind it. And when he [hears] it again through her perspective, instead of seeing this wild child, or this fantasy that he had of [Alison] as this free, expressive kind of lover that he had, suddenly he sees a woman in grief. He sees a woman who had just lost her child and was suffering, and who probably didn’t need a lover at that point. What she needed was a friend, or some kind of support. So when he says, “Alison, I’m so sorry,” I think that’s what he’s apologizing for. He finally understands what was happening for her in that moment. He then starts to think about what it must have been like for Helen. In finally going back to Alison’s deposition and hearing it again through her perspective, it leads him to this awareness of how he must have treated Helen, which leads to their reconciliation.
TVLINE | Were Noah and Helen always destined to find their way back to each other, even when you first conceived of the show? Or has the ending evolved a little — or a lot — over time?
It has absolutely evolved a lot. When we initially thought of the show, it was a three-season arc, and the idea was that it was going to be kind of a Take This Waltz scenario. It was only going to be Noah and Alison’s POVs. They were going to start off in this hot and heavy love affair, and in the end, they were going to basically find their way back to the same sort of staid marriage they both felt they had come out of. So that was the original conceit, and as the show evolved, it evolved to include Cole and Helen’s perspectives. When we first came into the show, I thought the concept was, “What happens to two people if they’re both married, but they think they’ve met their soulmates?” So originally it was going to be that Noah and Alison were soulmates, but that’s just not how it evolved organically, which I found really interesting. Then I don’t know if it was the writing, or the acting, or both — probably both — but it just started to feel like the real love affairs were between the original couples, which is great. I think it gave us a much more interesting story to tell.
TVLINE | Why did you have Noah show up in the future timeline?
In a lot of ways, this was always Noah’s series. He was the first character we see, so he was always going to be the last character we see. And he had the most to learn. It seemed like he should be there at the end.
TVLINE | And why was it important to have him reconnect with Joanie?
The idea was that he failed her mother at a certain point in his life; he was young, he was thinking about himself and he was selfish, and he failed to basically send Alison home and back to Cole. Of course, Alison is her own woman, and she made her own choices, but he didn’t [help].
TVLINE | I never doubted that Noah loved Alison, but it was a very different kind of love, which Noah himself suggested to Helen during the previous episode.
Noah took Alison away from a marriage that was very much in trouble, then ultimately didn’t love her as much, or in the way that Cole did. I think he comes to understand that over the course of the series.
TVLINE | And helping Joanie is his way of making up for what he couldn’t provide Alison?
When Joanie [returns to the Lobster Roll], she’s in a similar dilemma to her mother where she says, “I can’t go home. Why can’t I go home?” Now [Noah] understands what he didn’t understand then, and can offer her a piece of wisdom that he couldn’t offer to Alison. The reason she can’t go home is just because it’s hard; there’s nothing wrong… It’s just very difficult to be in a long-term, monogamous relationship — but the thing that he didn’t see when he was a younger man, that he can now see as an older man, is that it’s worth it. So I do think he needed to go through his entire life, and come out where he came out, in order to offer the daughter of his lover what he couldn’t offer her mother… He created a problem years ago when he got together with her mother, and that action not only had consequences on his life and on Alison’s life, but on the next generation. It had enormous consequences that changed the DNA of these families. The crisis that he caused, years later he has an opportunity to put right by giving her daughter different advice… and if there’s anyone who she can listen to at this point, it’s him because of what he knows about Alison.
TVLINE | Cole was always convinced that Ben killed Alison. A few short months after he died, Joanie and Noah know it to be true. So why wasn’t Ben brought to justice?
It’s just not our show. It’s not a morality tale about bringing people to justice. Nobody actually pays for their crimes. People pay for crimes that they didn’t commit a lot of times on this show, but no, that’s not the way that this show works. But I think the idea behind Joanie and Ben and their interaction was that, by him not being brought to justice, and by sending her off in this state of disillusionment and panic, that that’s what actually forces her to confront the crisis in her own life. The truth is that the crisis in Joanie’s life is not whether Alison’s killer pays for his crimes. It’s basically the inheritance of this incredibly traumatic childhood that she had and why she can’t get over it enough to, as Luisa says, be happy in her own life. And that, we realized in the writers’ room, was not going to come from sending Ben to prison. That’s just not how this stuff works… So the idea is that what happens to Ben actually sends her in a roundabout way back to Noah, and Noah is the person who helps her understand who her mother really was… She has grown up with this idea that her mother left her, deliberately, in a state of grief, and didn’t love her enough to stay, and it’s just not true. It’s completely false, and she’s built so much of her identity as an adult around that fact, and it causes her this tremendous emptiness and self-loathing. So Ben going to prison wasn’t what she needed. What she needed was to talk to Noah, understand who her mother really was and forgive her mother, and then forgive herself, to make it home.
TVLINE | Is Joanie’s decision to leave Eddie and return to her family meant to convey that she has broken free from the generational trauma?
Yes, exactly. The cycle has basically been broken — and they say that’s what happens. It takes a couple generations to break these cycles. In families, the generational trauma usually goes beyond the first generation and exists for two or three generations, and so we wanted to show where that the cycle of trauma that existed within Alison’s family for a couple of generations, even predating Alison, finally gets broken.
TVLINE | When Old Man Noah visits the cemetery, we discover not only that Helen died in 2051, but that Margaret also died in 2051. I thought that was a brilliant little Easter egg for the fans.
I’m super proud of you for catching that, because I didn’t know that anybody was going to catch it. We thought it was hilarious that Margaret just basically lives forever.
TVLINE | And that was one of a handful of moments that made me chuckle. I wasn’t expecting so much humor.
It was… important to bring some moments of levity [to the finale]. I think the truth is — and this is why when you meet Noah later [in life], he’s sort of full of mirth — is that life gets funnier the longer you live. Things just become absurd, and in the absurdity, there is a lot of humor. You have a sense when you’re young that life is moving in some sort of linear progression towards meaning, and then at a certain point you say, “Oh wait, it’s not. It’s just chaos,” and it’s about what we can make of the chaos.
TVLINE | In the end, Old Man Noah recreates the flash mob he choreographed for Whitney’s wedding. Why is that the very last scene? What is it meant to represent?
I showed [that scene] to another writer on the show and he was like, “Yes! Yes! Because life is the dance!” I think it shows that Noah is at peace. He’s gotten through the war, and he’s at the end of his life. He’s alone, but he’s at peace, and that’s what allows him to dance on a bluff like a madman, by himself, to music in his own head.
What did you think of The Affair‘s series finale? Grade it via the following poll, then discuss in the comments.
This was a deeply satisfying (mostly) finale. I don’t know what she means by “that’s not our show” in regards to Ben paying for his crime and I think that’s a bit ridiculous, because what I most wanted out of this final season was (I kept saying) justice for Alison. Watching this finale however I realized what I really wanted was for her loved ones to know she didn’t kill herself and wasn’t careless with her safety or life. So in that sense, I’m satisfied.
And I’ve been listening to “The Whole of the Moon” on Amazon Music (so.many.covers) all day. I didn’t see Fiona’s version yet but I have high hopes it gets added soon. That was truly an inspired musical choice.
I’m going to miss this show.
Thought it would be tough to continue without one of the main characters- Allison.
But it was always interesting so you had to stick with it. I would have liked for her killer to be brought to some sort of justice instead of getting more of revenge for Ben when he turns on Joanie.
But then again…the show was never about being right…it was about living in the moment.
Yeah… I’ll echo everyone else’s sentiments… I too wish that Ben caught hell after Joanie learned that he killed her mom… He didn’t have to go to jail… Perhaps she could have kicked him in the nuts so hard that he had a heart attack and died.
Really wanted Ben to be brought to justice.
Yes I wanted to see Ben punished too but Noah finding out she had been murdered was a form of justice.
I always wanted Noah and Helen to get back together. Their lives were never right being apart. They were the real soulmates. True love prevailed I cried at watching the ending from beginning to end it was for Noah Joanie Helen Whitney Allison and all. The best most awesome series ending truthful honest and for most of us that loved this series of 5 years that many of us have gone through this art immitating life and hopeful that we end up back to our true loves of our lives with that second chance . Just amazing ending I am sad to see it end but so ecstatic for Noah and Helen.
After not enjoying too many episodes this season, i really enjoyed the series finale. very satisfying and one the few episodes that was really upbeat. Really loved watching this for the last 5 years. Smiling and crying at the same time at the last scene.
Loved it and bought tear to my eye and always knew when Noah went t jail to cover up for helen he still loved helen
Watched every episode and hope many of us get the ending we want in real life
Music was lovely
Noah went to jail to cover up for Alison & Helen….. Alison pushed Coles brother in front of Helens car when he tried to attack her, she was in the bushes!
Noah also went to jail as self-imposed penance for blowing up his family life with Helen, and for the guilt he felt about his manipulation of the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death.
Fantastic finale. I laughed. I cried. I hoped Ben would pay for his crime but I understand why it didnt need to happen. Glad Joannie finally found out about her mom and broke the cycle by going back home. That flash mob dance was great. Loved the song. One of the best finales I’ve seen in awhile.
I think the idea of the transmission of trauma genetically is simplistic and incorrect. Trauma begets trauma when individuals are susceptical to the same environmental stressors than the inheritability of it genetically. However, conceptionally it makes for a good story.
The show didn’t make it up: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-me-in-we/201205/how-trauma-is-carried-across-generations
Loved It!
Flash Mob, very uplifting.
Series finale was awesome! Dominic West was incredible!
I liked the song at the end.
Loved the finale. But thought maybe when Noah explained Alison and Cole to Joanie, they could have showed a quick few seconds picture of Cole and Alison as Noah said their names, esp as they were early characters in the early part of the series
As a whole, the season was mostly a mess. But the finale episode was pretty satisfying.
Amazing finale. Left me with a renewed sense of hope and purpose that the show spent 5 seasons convincing me wasn’t possible. Thank you for this gift of a series.
I was very pleasantly surprised. Made me glad I hung on for the whole show.
Loved seasons 1-4 but this season was just not as good. Even though the actors in this series were all uniformly excellent over the years, I really missed both Allison & Cole this season. They could both have been used more in flashbacks (out-takes?) – or flash forwards with Joanie’s storyline – to help answer questions & satisfy long-time viewers.
I didn’t like the long diversions this season w/narcissist Sasha Mann & hated that you brought back the annoying “Furkat” character. I realize that both decisions were prob an attempt to bring in some related “me too” predators since that was actually projected on Noah all season. Btw – what the hell happened to Noah’s accusers & THAT storyline? Huh?
In fact, unlike the other seasons where the story-lines & love stories seemed straightforward & engrossing – this season seemed patchy & jumped all over the place. Joanie’s story was too fragmented & should have been expanded upon w/extended Alison & Cole scenes.
Altho I mostly liked this season, I felt a real let-down during most of the episodes. Just felt that this season was too hurried on the one hand & yet went too slowly thru its expected paces. I hated that there were so many loose ends left hanging. Evil Ben esp needed to die – surely not by Joanie’s hand – but somehow violently to bring justice & resolution for Alison, Cole & Joanie.
Finally, I do have to mention how I loved the use of the Fiona Apple cover of The Waterboys song in the final episode. Her haunting voice always captured the overall mood of this intense telling of failed relationships, tragic misunderstandings, family endurance & final reconciliation.
Yes.
I think the writers could’ve have given the viewers the payoff of seeing Ben finally being brought to justice AND also still satisfied themselves with the Joanie / Noah conversation.
Too bad. I would have been much more satisfied with that ending, as I still had more investment as a viewer in Alison’s multi-season storyline than I ever did in Joanie’s 1 season story line.
I enjoyed it! I really don’t care that Noah ended up happy in the end as he helped cause all the chaos but I did appreciate his advice to Joanie. I would have loved to see how other characters ended up too. Lots of loose ends that didn’t get tied up but I guess that’s real life.
The song though… wretched! And it played like 4 times.
This last season has been mostly meh, but I surprisingly enjoyed the finale.
Just awful. I can’t believe they gave Noah an happy ending and put Helen back into that miserable relationship.
Wow, you really missed the point.
I also believed Noah loved Helen even tho he didn’t want to admit it. Noah was impulsive and often confused about what was appropriate and how to act in a given situation, rather like an adolescent, but he did grow as the series progressed. A good cautionary tale showing, somewhat ridiculously at times, the high cost of infidelity and divorce.
He he he! Yep, as do many ppl today….she probably stuck around just for spite! She was definitely a force!
Enjoyed it. Would have really liked to see look on Noah’s and Helen’s faces when the kids finally get to see them after the makeup sex.
I felt like that was the loose thread for me! Why can’t we see how that night played out a little further? Or if Whitney winds up staying married since she seemed so iffy about him all season? I would have been happy to see Whitney after the time jump to know more about her future and of the reconciliation that night was for good, or if the decision to have all the Solloway kid’s together and her new husband being part of that group was the reconciliation they were really wanting us to see.
Best finale I have seen in a series. The show certainly stayed true to its title. The entire show had to do with one affair after the other and how it affects the lives of the people involved. Hence the show being called The Affair. I thought it really came full circle,excellent character depth,especially with Noah and Alison. Excellent acting. I will miss it!
I was kind of hoping that Grandpa Butler would jump into the flashmob performance and provide some levity–kind of the way Chevy Chase did in European Vacation’s Schuhplattler Dance scene, but I never expected him to regain enough clarity to fall into the pool as part of the Diversion Plan! Great makeup job on old Noah, whose Biblical inspiration lived for 900 years, but how awesome was it that freakin’ Margaret lived for 100 years?
Loved the last episode and really gonna miss the show. Not a fan of Whitney tbh. Noah really grew on me and Dominic West acting really grew on me. Would like to have known more as to what happened all of the Solloway children. Had a year in my eye tbh at the end.
If only Game of Thrones had had a finale like this show had!
Loved the finale, the only way it could have been better is if the Dr. was caught and punished for killing Allison. It was also wonderful to see Helen’s Father have a few moments of lucidity and help the kids out. Also, it took me a bit to realize that it WAS Noah at the Lobster Roll, great ending!!!
Great wrap-up… but Ben should have met his end… to not tarnish Joanie or Noah… Ben could have been killed by one of his patients having a PTSD episode.
Fantastic last two episodes. Made me change the way I feel about my own family. These actors are so good. This show made me uneasy over the years and yet I understand the life is difficult. We do the best we can. Really enjoyed this finale
throw a bunch of emmys the way of Maura Tierney and Dominic West. Their scene at the motel was AMAZING. Also Helen dealing with Whit before the wedding. Also all the Noah scenes with Joanie at the Lobster Roll and the last few minutes of the episode. Hot damn this finale was good.
OMG yes!!! Absolutely loved this finale. Really took it to heart. Wisdom of living life and learning.. looking back. Things we can only speak of through experience. Amazing!!!!
Absolutely loved the ending. Brought tears to my eyes as I feel we truly got to get to know the characters well and lived their lives almost to exhaustion and I was glad that they might have lived the last 30 years in a happier way