ROUND 2

THE AFFAIR

VS

THE FLASH

 

See the bracket!!!

 

I know that The Affair isn’t getting the kind of buzz that Showtime was probably hoping for, but I seriously didn’t learn until I just recently watched the first two episodes back-to-back that THIS SHOW IS MCNULTY VS RAWLS. I feel let down by all of you, and my ability to keep my thumb on the pulse of pop culture is slipping. It’s a sad-ass day.

 

I feel like it’s my job here to explain that even though The Affair is moving on to Round 3, it’s not simply because it’s a prestige cable drama, while The Flash is a cheesedick superhero show on The CW. The Flash is one of the best new shows of the fall. It had a great pilot, and the second episode was as good as could be expected. I think both shows took a step back in the second episode (more on The Affair in a minute), but The Flash’s step backwards was inevitable. This isn’t just because the pilot was so good, but instead because the pilot had too much energy. It was unsustainable. In the second episode, we get a better glimpse of what The Flash will be for the rest of its run: fun, episodic, dependable. It’s a special show, but The Affair might be special…er.
That being said, The Affair shows a few too many of its strings this episode. I’m really digging it, but it already feels like it might run out of steam. I know why it’s shot so dreamy sometimes, as the two main characters are doing their darndest to remember something that happened years ago, but too often it feels like I’m watching an hour long douche commercial. Flash, you were a great competitor, and The Affair, if you want to win this thing, you better shape up quick.

 

– Ryan Haley