Ep 1. Episode 1

The Affair season 5 episode 1 is the beginning of the final season of this acclaimed drama series. This episode opens up with a series of flash-forwards, set years in the future, that show how Noah and Helen's children have grown and what has happened to them since the end of season 4. However, the bulk of the episode takes place in the present day, and picks up where season 4 left off.

Noah and Helen are still together, but their relationship is on shaky ground after everything they have been through. They are both struggling to adapt to their new lives in Los Angeles, and their strained relationship is not helping. Noah is trying to reconnect with missing-in-action son Trevor, while Helen is attempting to support daughter Whitney as she deals with some personal issues.

As Noah and Helen go about their daily routines, they encounter several new characters who will likely play important roles in the season as it progresses. Sierra, a new student in Noah's class, catches his eye despite her troubled past. Meanwhile, Helen meets Sasha, the charming and flirtatious director of the local community theater. Both characters bring excitement and intrigue to the lives of Noah and Helen.

Also, viewers will get a glimpse of Joanie Lockhart, played by Anna Paquin, who is the adult daughter of Alison and Cole. Joanie is on a quest to uncover the truth about her mother's death years ago, and her travels eventually bring her to Montauk. These flash-forward scenes are interesting and offer a glimpse into what the future holds for the characters, but also raises a lot of questions as to how we get to that point.

Overall, this episode sets the stage for what's to come in the final season of The Affair. With the addition of new characters and the reintroduction of older characters, the show continues to explore the ways in which people connect and disconnect with each other. It's clear that there will be plenty of drama, twists, and turns as the season progresses. This episode is a great introduction and will leave fans wanting more.