MovieChat Forums > The Affair (2014) Discussion > Season 3 is a Different, Worse Show

Season 3 is a Different, Worse Show


They ditched the conceit that made the show interesting and different: Telling the same story from two different perspectives. They started really strong with that structure, but as the show moved forward, some writers got very sloppy. And now, apparently, they can’t be bothered at all.

I think that is a pity. Because it made the show different. And it is a very accurate and poignant message: Two people never see anything the same way.
And where were the other characters we even care about? None of the new people was worth wasting our time on. Especially the cartoon “I am zee FRANCH person, no?”

I felt as if I was watching an entirely new show – and I wasn’t interested.

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I want to see the guard's perspective.

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The Guard's Perspective:

"What the F happened to my career? I used to be the STAR of movies. Now, my face is seen for a few seconds on a fading TV show in its last season. Yeah, yeah, I lost all my looks and that was really all I ever had going for me because I can't really act, but STILL! Thank God I have that plastic jug of vodka back in the trailer."

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The beginning of the episode still said "Part One: Noah." I'm sure that this premiere will be tied to episode two just like episodes one and two of season two were the same story (Part Three: Alison and Part Four: Cole in 202). So episode 2 will probably show what Alison's up to and maybe Helen also.

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Only 1 episode has been made available to view. How bout you watch a bit more of the season before you hastily label it a "worse show".

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I agree.. it was a downer opening episode. Give it time to put the characters in a new time line.

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I just watched the second episode and it has nothing to do with the attack on Noah...he's not even in it. It's all about Allison. They still do the "Part One" and "Two" thing but like the OP said it has nothing to do with two different perspectives. And I thought that was what made it great, also. So we'll have to wait for Ep. 3 for the good stuff...

I really don't know how far they can take this show....at the most one more season. I really hope they don't continue it just for continuation's sake. Hopefully season three will get better

P.S. I laughed my butt off at the OP's description of the guard's career (B. Fraser). Damn he looks bad...

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I wouldn't expect there to be a followup to Noah in the second. Going on other seasons, the characters always take turns in which POV's they concentrate on. Ep 2 was always going to be one of the other characters. I wouldn't count on getting answers in episode 3. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I can see them stretching the thing with B Fraser's character right out for the whole season. It's become the new mystery driving the show now, since the "Who killed Scotty", is no longer in play.

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Yea, you're right. So, what do u think of the season so far....many seem pretty angry. Watch Ep 2 on Showtime Now...

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I'm not an overly great fan of Noah, so ep 1 is what it is. I prefer the other three characters better. Noah seems to be the soul of the show, with much of the show focusing on him, so the show ebs and flows for me.

Haven't watched ep 2 yet, might wait awhile.

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The first season was so good I watched it on a free Showtime weekend we had to get it just for the show so we were really impressed with the first season, and the second one. I have missed the two different perspectives the show was based around before, but I've only seen two episodes so.....

I just thought the way they showed it from each character's perspective/memory was so true. How one person tells a "story" one way, the other quite different at times.

People seem to be ready to give up after one episode. It is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time so it has a high bar....but compare it to the cr@p they've turned shows like Shameless into with their ridiculous storylines it's still pretty good based on the two episodes I have watched.

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People seem to be ready to give up after one episode.
It is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time so it has a high bar....but compare
it to the cr@p they've turned shows like Shameless into with their ridiculous storylines
it's still pretty good based on the two episodes I have watched.


This!

When watching S3E1 I initially was waiting for the second "perspective", but soon I realized that the writers were covering the three year prison gap, where there wasn't enough material to do the dual view. In S3E2 it didn't bother me at all.
I'm sure it will come back once we'll have arrived in the present.

Love this show; it has its own rather slow pace and intriguing atmosphere.
Great cast too.

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Thanks. There's so much catching up to do it's kinda hard to do a perspective on certain events, like you said.

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Shameless is a British show. The American version is a poor substitute. You should watch the original.

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I was aware when it first aired that Shameless was a British show, and I've never seen the UK version but I'm sure it is better that our "poor substitute." I mean, it had a few moments in the first couple seasons and I would call it "watchable" but now it's just so absurd and completely stupid I can barely watch it. Showtime is wringing all they can out of it...and W.H. Macy is still quite good in his role as he's a great actor but the writer's are just wasting his talent at this point. I think the cliche is "jumping the shark." Cheers.

Both my parents are British BTW...and one day I'll watch the original version.

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I have to admit that I was waiting for the second perspective too after seeing the text "Noah" on the screen, but I soon realized that the writers were bringing us up to speed about what happened in the three years that passed since the last episode of S2.
IMHO they have not per se lost the concept of showing the different perspectives, but they didn't consider it relevant in this situation.

We can agree, I think, that it needs at least two main characters living the same experience, to show their different perspectives.
All main characters were in different places
- Alison far away
- Noah in prison or out, but nowhere near Alison or Helen
- Cole, remarried,living is own new life
- Helen at home, with kids and new partner.

No shared experiences, apart from a short visit from H. to N in prison.
I bet it will come back as will other characters if they will be relevant for the plot.

The fist two episodes were excellent, same pace, same atmosphere as always. Loved it.

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"They ditched the conceit that made the show interesting and different.."

Totally agree. Hopefully it gets better.

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[deleted]

Semi Spoiler Alert:





The second episode has been leaked online, and they still have that second perspective narrative.

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It's leaked online, but they not putting ondemand early? Sucks!

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