MovieChat Forums > The Affair (2014) Discussion > A question for you all. Can someone help...

A question for you all. Can someone help?


First of all, I love this show. The acting is some of the best I've seen on TV. But there is one thing I don't quite comprehend.

The different viewpoints.

I'm on season one, but I don't understand how the viewpoints can differ so much! Just some quick examples: In one scene, Allison discovers a pregnancy test. In another, Noah is the one who finds it. In one scene, Noah wants an apartment and makes a big deal out of it. Seeing this from the other viewpoint, the apartment isn't even mentioned.

What?

I understand that the viewpoints represent how differently they remember stuff, but sometimes the perspectives are so radically different, that I feel like I've missed something. I get the fact that people remember details differently, but in the example of the apartment and the pregnancy test, those are no small "details". The viewpoints shouldn't differ THAT much in my opinion.

Memory is not objective, I get that, but still. If you're at a party with a friend, and then you talk to him about it later, you'll both remember what happened (if you aren't too drunk). Details may differ, but overall the experiences will be the same.

So, have I missed something? Aren't the viewpoints representations of how they remember things? And if so, how can they be SO different?

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I think the original explanation by the producers was that the different versions reflected the fact that memories are fallible - that we each remember things differently. This accounts for different memories of wallpaper, wardrobe, or what someone might have said in particular.

However, I agree there are many times in this show where the details vary so wildly that it cannot just be an error in remembering the details such as words or wardrobe (e.g. the gun incident with Cole).

It appears that the whole underlying premise of the show is actually the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and based on our own level of self-awareness and insight. I think Sarah Treem and the writers are really great at deciphering the nuances of this if we actually pay attention to the bigger picture - what is the story the character is telling about himself/herself and how does that differ from the perspective of the other characters? For example, in the first season, Alison really seemed to think of herself as a bit of a victim (which is probably realistic due to her trauma), yet to Noah she played the role of ingenue/seducer because he needed to tell himself that he was compelled to "blow up his life" instead of made the deliberate choice out of feeling weak in his own relationship.

So instead of memory difference, the details really reflect how the characters see themselves in relation to the significant others in their lives. Are they strong and resilient, or having a tough time coping? Are they a victim or a rescuer? Are they good people making poor choices, or are they villains?

We each have stories about ourselves, and sometimes the reality conflicts with these stories, so we have to make up details that fit the narrative of how we experience ourselves. Either that, or we have to change our beliefs and identities significantly. Many people don't have the insight to make these changes, so they keep finding ways to justify their existing narratives.

We will see if these characters start becoming more self-aware, and how they do that. But it remains to be seen if they've hit the "rock bottom" and want to make changes, or whether they will continue the destruction.

I think I read that the theme for this season is redemption, so it seems as though changes will be happening. I'm excited to see how it plays out!

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Wow, thank you for that answer. That was great! Cheers!

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I noticed s2 the view points are completely off they differ so much it ddoest make sense. S1 it would be different outfits or different hair style on Ali but then turned into completely different stories

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Yeah, S2 does butcher the viewpoints!

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Right! I wonder why the writers did that. They just vary so much! I cannot wait for s3 this show is great

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