Season 2 of Showtime’s “The Affair” has concluded, and once again, it has left viewers with as many unanswered questions as answered. This season should have been titled the “After the Affair!” That’s because it dealt with the ramifications of what happens after an affair destroys two marriages and one family. Having been through a divorce, there were a few scenes that hit close to home and were painful for me to watch.
Once again, the concept of Montauk played a major role as the away from New York City escape that is still the anchor of the show. Of course, the “Lobster Roll” restaurant is actually located on the Napeague stretch part of Montauk Highway in Amagansett, but such details don’t truly matter.
Dominic West effectively portrays Noah Sollaway, the author/teacher who has the Season 1 affair with Alison Baily, played by Ruth Wilson. Season 2 was a breakout season for Maura Tierney, who played the betrayed wife, Helen Solloway, who quite frankly deserves some sort of an award for her performance all season, in every episode. Even with the complicated four points of view format of telling this season’s plot line, Tierney nails every scene, whether it be comedic, tragic, or dramatic. She brings home the pain and complications victims of troubled/failed marriages must juggle with, while raising the children and dealing with huge emotional loss.
Also feeling and dealing with betrayal is husband Cole Lockhart played by Joshua Jackson. I lived in Montauk and I say Cole plays a convincing lifer Montauk dude. He is the guy you would see at Liars Saloon or The Dock, every night.
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Author T.J. Clemente outside of the Lobster Roll. (Courtesy Photo) |
Season 2 of “The Affair” revolved around the hit and run death of Scotty Lockhart, expertly played by Colin Donnell. Again, you think you actually know the troubled Scotty Lockhart if you are out in Montauk a lot. The end of Season 1 only teased the viewers with the idea that someone was killed in a hit and run, in the last episodes. Season 2 identifies the victim as Scotty Lockhart, but it is not until the last episode that the event is explained in plausible great detail, with Helen, Noah and Alison all having a role in what seems to be a clearly unfortunate accident after a marriage ceremony at the Lobster Roll.
The courtroom drama laced in every episode took over the last scene of Season 2, as the obviously wrongfully accused Noah, confesses to protect his ex-wife Helen and the mother of his new child, Alison Baily. However, from here on in, next season’s shows will become very tricky because it will be dealing with a drunk driving homicide and a potential attempt at rape.
Lastly, I must give a mention about Julia Goldani Telles, who plays Noah and Helen Solloway’s oldest daughter, Whitney Solloway. Her powerful portrayal of Whitney also merits an award, one for playing the teenage daughter from hell!
The Lobster Roll restaurant will never be thought of the same way after this series concludes, and yes, the lobster rolls are very good there, but a bit costly. Everyone who both watched the series and drives out to Montauk will always be reminded of “The Affair!”
