A struggling novelist and a young waitress strike up an extramarital relationship that promises to forever change the course of their lives.
Noah has escaped the city with his family to his in-laws' estate in eastern Long Island. He's joined by his loving wife, Helen, and their four precocious children. At the same time, local waitress Alison struggles with her husband, Cole, to move past a recent tragedy.
As the Butler estate readies for the summer party, Noah can't escape the allure of Alison. She, meanwhile, bends under the emotional debt owed to her mother-in-law. As aspects of their lives start to weave together, the two are forced to consider an inevitability.
With his novel gaining traction, Noah turns to Alison to help him research local culture - but their innocent tour of Montauk proves more dangerous than expected. Meanwhile, Cole takes a stand on behalf of his community, and Helen deals with business back in Brooklyn.
In order to spend time together apart from their families, Noah and Alison take a day trip to remote Block Island. As the two grow closer, they quickly learn that intimacy can be a double-edged sword.
As passions flare behind closed doors, Alison and Noah are forced to confront new obstacles at home: Alison gets a surprise visit from her estranged mother, Athena, while Noah struggles with the behaviour of his daughter, Whitney.
After Noah spends a night out with his friend Max, he discovers there's more to Alison than he's been led to believe. At home, wife Helen hopes to make the most of the family's time in Montauk. Meanwhile, Alison and husband Cole work to keep the Lockharts from danger.
With summer almost over, the Solloways are returning to Brooklyn - a welcome relief for Noah. Meanwhile, Cole is forced to confront Alison when the Lockhart side business hits too close to home, and Helen and Noah grapple with the results of an unexpected emergency.
Distracted by her burgeoning small business, Helen tasks Noah with representing the family at a literary award ceremony for her father, Bruce. A chance encounter with Alison and her grandmother leads to an uncomfortable truth.
A revelation about their daughter Whitney makes Noah and Helen realise their troubled marriage is directly affecting their children. Bending under remorse, Alison spirals towards a reckoning.
The disappearance of Whitney spurs Helen to scrutinise Noah and his relationship with Alison and her family; Cole searches for answers at Lockhart Ranch. Meanwhile, Detective Jeffries makes significant progress on his case.
Noah and Helen try for amicable divorce proceedings, but complications reveal inescapable conflict. Plus, surprising developments in Helen's life reveal unexpected emotions.
Alison's summer with Noah is interrupted by an unwelcome guest. Meanwhile, Cole's self-destructive lifestyle has everyone concerned.
Noah's undying love for Alison has serious consequences. Meanwhile, Alison discovers a surprising truth about how to sustain a marriage.
As pressures in Helen's life mount, one innocent mistake leads to outrageous consequences. Meanwhile, a court order presents a dire setback for Noah and Alison.
Alison is thrown by an unpleasant shift in behaviour from her Hudson Valley hosts, and furious with Noah after a chance discovery about his book. Meanwhile, Cole rejects Scotty's plan to make money - but not before Scotty catches him in a situation best kept secret.
A medical emergency with Martin casts Helen and Noah's litigation process in a new light. Helen makes a long overdue decision. Noah is surprised Alison wants to stay with her mother. The dynamics of their relationship have shifted, and troublesome discoveries are made.
Alison's mother raises concerns about her and Noah's new lifestyle. Alison confronts Noah about his revealing new book. Meanwhile, as their passion intensifies, Cole lashes out at Luisa and is further alienated from his family in the wake of startling revelations.
On the college campus where they first met, Helen is amazed to see Noah in a new role, and bewildered by Whitney's future plans. Meanwhile, Noah is in danger of spinning out of control as his fame and related temptations escalate.
Alison weathers a momentous journey alone; Helen receives unexpected attention from a sexy yet exasperating source; Noah faces a terrible reckoning; Cole is pushed to the very edge by an array of challenges.
While Noah grapples with essential questions, Alison begins to doubt a recent ambition, and renewed interactions with the Lockhart brothers force her to consider a harrowing possibility.
Cole and Luisa take a step forward in their relationship and find an unlikely partner for their business venture. A series of revelations cause Noah to reconsider everything he thought he knew about Alison - and a decision Alison makes may just end their relationship.
Events set in motion long ago come to their conclusion. A startling admission causes Noah to withdraw from his new life. Alison is honest with Noah, and herself. A dispute between Cole & Scotty is followed by tragedy. A turn in Noah's trial results in a shocking event.
Haunted by recent hardship, Noah struggles to navigate the challenges of his old life while attempting to adapt to a new one. A promising new love interest isn’t enough to overcome a sense of dread ... someone is watching him.
One year earlier: After a stern request from Noah leaves Helen devastated, various pressures cause Helen and Vik to re-examine their relationship. Alison returns to Montauk after a crisis only to have her worst fears realised.
Running from secrets she left behind in Paris, Juliette finds Noah an alluring prospect, but a terrifying event shatters all hope of an easy affair. Meanwhile, Noah must fight like never before to make sense of what just occurred.
Cole is put in an increasingly impossible situation by Alison's return to his life. Alison must contend with Luisa while attempting to reconnect with her daughter. Simultaneously, a dangerous passion threatens to wreck everything.
Alison is motivated to spend a memorable day with Noah on Block Island for an unusual reason. Noah is left wistful by their profound connection, until the problems from which he was escaping return with a shocking force.
An unexplained absence sends Helen on a journey of increasingly troublesome discoveries. Compelled to return to a place he's spent his life trying to escape, Noah attempts to repair his relationship with Martin.
Helen gives Noah the help he needs - but at what cost? At his absolute weakest, Noah's world has never seemed more hostile or bewildering. A vital moment of release turns suddenly into something that can't be undone.
An unexpected cause to celebrate provokes a sobering realisation in Alison. Soon after, a startling warning leaves her pondering the unthinkable. Cole's frustrations with Alison come to a head, revealing a radical truth.
Helen's escape to Montauk exacerbates her guilt and hastens an identity crisis: should the truth finally come out? Noah's world collapses, leaving him to process something horrific.
Noah's visit to Paris provides Juliette with a distraction from unpleasant realities at home. A chance encounter offers Noah the possibility of healing a relationship in desperate need of repair.
Noah struggles to adjust to his new life. Helen discovers the source of her anxiety.
Noah, Alison, Helen and Cole find themselves running back to each other.
Noah loses control of his students. Helen hates Vik's decision.
Alison and Ben dig into her past. Cole's relationship with Alison jeopardizes his marriage to Luisa.
Vik decides it's time he started living for himself. Cole goes on a journey to exorcise his ghosts.
Noah supports Anton in a decision about his future. Alison makes a discovery about her father.
Helen goes to Joshua Tree in search of meaning. An ominous phone call alters Noah and Anton's plans.
A hopeful epiphany leads Cole, Noah and Anton on a journey to a horrific discovery.
Ben finally confesses the truth to Alison. But is it too late for their relationship?
Noah and Anton visit Princeton where Noah encounters an old friend. An immensely difficult day forces Cole and Luisa to reexamine their relationship. Helen gets a new perspective on life.
Noah embarks on his journey with the Descent movie by getting acquainted with his star, Sasha Mann. Helen mourns a tragic event. Sierra welcomes a new arrival.
Janelle struggles with her relationship and work, so turns to Carl for support. Production for Descent commences, and Sasha takes an interest in Helen.
Sasha proposes adjustments to Noah’s script. Sasha’s relationship with Helen blossoms, and Noah takes notice.
Noah, Margaret and Stacey bond over their mutual distaste for Sasha. Noah attempts to sabotage Helen and Sasha’s relationship.
Sierra struggles to balance motherhood with her burgeoning acting career. Sierra's mother visits uninvited.
In Montauk for work, Joanie becomes acquainted with EJ. Together, they explore Joanie's family history, leading her to question the cause of her mother's death.
Noah and Whitney travel to Montauk to begin planning the wedding. Noah gets a concerning call. Armed with new information about her mother's death, Joanie confronts a stranger.
Allegations against Noah surface and he seeks guidance on how to handle the situation. Helen celebrates a birthday and protects Sierra during an extremely trying time.
As controversy swirls around Noah, Helen and Whitney must decide where their allegiances lie.
As wildfires threaten Los Angeles, Helen and Noah are forced to run for their lives and confront old wounds along the way.
It's Whitney's wedding day and everything comes full circle.