Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I learned that sometimes the best thing we can do for someone we love is to merely be there to support them. Even though we may want to immerse ourselves into their lives and their problems, we need to also recognize when to give the appropriate amount of space as well. It’s not possible to control every situation even though we may want to. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “403,” Noah continues to try and make a difference with his students, specifically with Anton. Meanwhile, Helen has trouble dealing with Vic’s diagnosis and clashes with his mother inadvertently. My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 3 are:
5
“Please don’t pretend to be a real teacher.”
Part one of the episode opens up with Noah and we learn that he is still trying to make a difference with his students as well as with the administration at the school. In a staff meeting, Noah brings up Anton and explains that he is worried about his life at home, but thinks that he has real potential. We later discover that Anton is actually the principal, Janelle’s son, which puts Noah in an awkward position. While the other teachers applaud Noah’s boldness, Noah goes to Janelle to apologize and explains that he didn’t know. Janelle reveals her thoughts about hiring an ex-con at her school and sheds some light on what she has to deal with on an everyday basis. After telling Noah not to pretend that he is a real teacher, Noah reveals how much he wants to be there and help Anton. While these two are still clashing, sparks are definitely in the air and it’s only a matter of time before their passive aggressive comments lead to some passionate foreplay.
4
“I totally totally don’t.”
In part two, we see everything from Helen’s perspective and learn that Vic has been diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. Helen desperately wants to talk about a plan and all of her feelings, but Vic wants to focus on living out his life the way he wants to. Helen’s neighbor, Sierra, interrupts a complicated discussion without realizing it and just really wants to get to know Helen and invites her to experience a kind of spiritual retreat. Sierra represents the carefree California attitude that Helen is desperately trying to get away from and she ends up snapping at Sierra, revealing the true New Yorker within. Sierra is surprisingly not offended by Helen’s quick dismissal and something tells me that she might be the key to opening up Helen to a whole new world whether she realizes it right now or not.
3
“Girl’s got a type.”
In the beginning of the episode, we are in present day time and Cole is with Noah and Anton in a car. Anton hilariously tries to piece together their connection to Alison, which is laugh out loud funny. Cole speaks to Alison’s mother, Athena, on the phone and learns that the last person she spoke to was Ben. Cole mentions that Ben is married and Anton reminds them both that she certainly has a type. While we still don’t know what has happened to Alison, it’s clear that Ben has something to do with it. We’ll have to stay tuned for the mystery to continue to unfold, but I am loving the unexpected teamwork between Cole and Noah and Anton is lightening up the mood for sure.
2
“People in New York don’t take deep breaths. They fight.”
After failing to get Vic to commit to getting a second opinion or treatment, Helen confides in her therapist about what is going on. Rather than focus on her feelings, she tries to ask him about his connections in the medical field, desperately trying to find some way to help Vic. Her therapist reminds her that perhaps what Vic really needs is for Helen to just love and support him, which is spot on. Vic doesn’t want to rehash the diagnosis and he begs Helen not to tell his parents about him being sick. After Vic is honored for his work, Helen confronts his mother in the bathroom and tells her what is going on. Helen is shocked when his mother wants to leave and states that she is not feeling well. Helen blurts out everything and Vic’s face is full of disappointment. His mother leaves and tells him that she loves him and knows that he will figure out what to do. Vic loses his temper with Helen and refuses to give her false hope, as he explains that his illness is very real and that he is going to die. All Vic wants is to have a baby, but Helen feels almost like the walls are closing in on her when she sits in the doctor’s office waiting room and realizes that she is just simply too old for this. Will Helen ultimately decide to go through with an unwanted pregnancy to give Vic what he wants or will she make the bold decision to follow her own path?
1
“I’m your boss.”
Noah continues to try and get through to his students and make them more engaged. They are currently reading T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland,” and Noah introduces his students to the concept of “previewing.” According to Noah, previewing is about “making intelligent predictions about what a book is based on first impressions.” Some of his students participate and call out things like “creepy old white dude,” but Anton takes it a step further when he challenges the reading material and suggests that their curriculum include more relevant authors. Noah is clearly impressed by Anton’s idea. His students have been lately feeling like they are unheard and unfairly punished at school and Noah provides some inspiration for a walkout. Whether it is intentional or not, Anton leads the class out the door and the walkout quickly escalates enough for the police to get involved. When the media begins grilling Janelle about what is going on with her administration, Noah steps in and saves the day. Only Janelle wasn’t really asking to be saved. Later on, he sits with her at the bar and the two have a real and honest conversation. When Noah walks Janelle out to the parking lot, the two share a passionate kiss, but Janelle quickly ends it and reminds him that she is his boss. While I’m guessing this is not the last encounter we will see between Noah and Janelle, their relationship could become scandalous and have an impact on Anton. We’ll have to stay tuned to see what happens next, but I have to say that I am loving the introduction of Sanaa Lathan’s character, Janelle on the show. It’s about time someone truly challenged Noah and got him to see things from another perspective.
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Affair below in the comments section. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
@TV_Fanatic_Girl
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