The Affair

The Affair is the fourth episode of Chapters.' second season, subtitled Atrocity Exhibitions. Written and directed by Mike Barkhoff like the whole season, this episode is the reverse of its predecessor, Every Decision Matters by reversing the roles of Boyfriend and Girlfriend.

Opening Poetry
"don't act on assumptions,"

Plot
Boyfriend accuses Girlfriend of cheating on him when she gets off work, due to some text messages he has seen in her phone. She tries to defend herself, but he doesn't give her a chance to explain herself. A fight ensues between the two that ends with Boyfriend grabbing from a collection of knives and walking towards Girlfriend. We cut to Girlfriend laying limp in a chair with closed eyes as Boyfriend takes a seat next to her. The final verse of Mac Miller's "Stay" plays as he sits next to her and lets out a devilish smile. Suddenly, her phone goes off, a message from the accused cheater, saying: "We can be extra cautious your boyfriend doesn't find out." The smile begins to slowly fade.

Production
This and Every Decision Matters were done in the same day.

Themes
The episode contains themes of unloyalty and distrust and the fights that follow in a relationship, just like the previous episode.

The addiction featured is alcohol, obsession to one's significant other, violence, and cell phone usage.

Trivia
- Barkhoff intentionally wore the same clothes as the last episode, even though his character was intended to be seen differently here, to capitalize on the fact that the episodes were simply polar opposites.

- Barkhoff had the idea to incorporate Mac Miller's "Stay" while listening to the song shortly after writing this episode, imagining the ending to the song as darker than it is.

Continuity
- Mac Miller's music was also featured in Barkhoff's alternate end credits to "Windfall", as well as early Live Free content. Also, the title of Live Free is derived from Mac Miller's song of the same name.

Reception
The episode received acclaim for it's acting by Barkhoff, the camerawork - particularly during the "knife choosing" sequence, and for the inclusion of Mac Miller's "Stay", flipped to make the song more demonic, and the ending with Boyfriend discovering he acted on accusation.