Netflix's The Waterfront: Unlocking the Buckley Family's Deep Secrets and Surprising Finale

The often-troubled waters around the Buckley family appeared peaceful in The Waterfront's climax. The criminal family's oldest daughter, Bree (Melissa Benoist), is saved from drowning by her father, Harlan (Holt McCallany), and brothers, Cane (Jake Weary) and Shawn (Rafael Silva). Grady (Topher Grace), Bree's drug lord kidnapper, has died. Her son Diller (Brady Hepner) has overcome his wrath and now sincerely cares about his mother. Even Harlan, who returned to crime after many years away, and his marriage to Belle (Maria Bello) appeared to be headed for a happy ending.

Then Belle gets an unexpected call. Emmett Parker (Terry Serpico) summons her to the Buckleys' private fish house. Emmett comes from a much stronger crime family nearby. Kevin Williamson, the creator of The Waterfront, noted that while the Buckleys are a large family in their area, they operate on a much smaller scale. The Buckleys are the big fish in this small town. What about the Parkers? They are a full pack of sharks. This lays the stage for significant trouble.

Harlan appears to be in charge of the Buckleys' business throughout the show. However, the Parkers appear to have chosen their contact person. It's "sensible" Belle. Williamson argued that Belle is far more rational. She will not make decisions based on her sentiments. She is too intelligent and quiet for that. The Parkers envision a genuine relationship with her, which they will never have with Harlan. This is a massive, and really concerning, surprise. Harlan will undoubtedly view Belle's covert encounter with the Parkers as a betrayal. His own father died as a result of the Parkers several years ago. So, how did the Buckleys get into this new family drama? Who are the Parkers, as well as the other significant actors in Havenport and beyond? Allow us to discuss any urgent questions you may have.

Harlan's Return to Crime: The Surprising Identity of "Owen"

How Old Friendships Become Deadly in Havenport's Underworld

Harlan returns to Havenport's criminal underworld when he discovers Cane has agreed to use the Buckleys' ships to transport drugs for the town's enigmatic top dog, "Owen." As Harlan reverts to his old ways, he has one purpose. He wants to find Owen and show him who is truly in charge. Toward the end of the first episode of The Waterfront, Sheriff Porter (Michael Gaston) is revealed to be the trigger-happy drug boss. Williamson added that Porter and Harlan had been friends since they were children. However, "the sheriff has always had a chip on his shoulder" about his wealthier friend.

Williamson stated that Harlan grew up in the large mansion on the seashore. Porter has reached the point in his life where he believes all he has done is protect and serve for a tiny pension. He'd always wanted to live the life he thought Harlan had. There is a lot of jealousy present. So, in the first few episodes of The Waterfront, Porter tries to dominate Harlan. He attempts to lead their illegal "partnership," even having his thugs injure Cane's wife Peyton (Danielle Campbell) to prove his point. So, of course, the independent Harlan kills Porter in Episode 3. This simply demonstrates how quickly things can escalate in this environment.

Harlan begins to comprehend Porter's methods and understands that the sheriff is simply a middleman. Grady, a wealthy heroin kingpin from a nearby town, wields tremendous influence. Williamson composed the part expressly for Topher Grace. He understood that putting a gun in Topher's hand and a smile on his face would be enjoyable. Williamson prefers his antagonists to have a sense of humor. Topher Grace said he was excited to play a character who was diametrically opposed to the lovely suburban dad he just played in the sitcom Home Economics. Grace thinks Grady is a deliciously interesting evil guy. He is a nepotist and prefers to do his own thing. He has the money and the confidence, but he may lack the necessary abilities.

Grady's outright arrogance contrasts with Harlan's desire for dominance. Tensions develop rapidly because all Grady wants is "a dad," Grace said. Harlan's inability to approve of Grady just strengthens the younger man's feelings for the Buckley father. Grace commented that there is a fine line between obsession and obsession. This type of interplay is what keeps the show exciting to watch.

The Family's Difficult Past and Bree's Journey Toward Self-Improvement

Hidden Traumas and Real Estate Deals That Threaten Buckley's Business

Harlan's new involvement with "Owen" and subsequently Grady marks the end of his lengthy absence from organized crime. He left the drug business immediately after his father died. Grady tells in Episode 4 that Harlan's father was a major player in the Cali Cartel. He was tortured to death. We learn in season 1 that the Parker crime family was responsible for the execution. Bree, who was little at the time, witnessed the entire horrific scenario. Williamson added that Harlan's father's death compelled him to "walk the straight and narrow" for years. The Buckleys descended into a life of crime. Then, when the repercussions arrived, everything became too much. They checked out and went back to being good.

Holt McCallany agreed, claiming Harlan was determined to exact revenge on the Parkers. But he knew that doing so would put his entire family in jeopardy. He was well aware of the Parkers' capabilities. If he went to fight, the collateral damage may involve his wife, daughter, and son. That was simply too big a price to pay. So it is difficult for Harlan to seek the Parkers for help in episode 7. Grady has now become impossible to cope with. He kidnapped Bree's teenage son Diller and shot him, among other outrageous acts. According to Williamson, Harlan does not see another way out. Grady has become both a live wire and a maniac. Harlan knows he's not going to quit. He can imagine his loved ones dying. When he returns to the Parkers, he faces a difficult decision.

Harlan's father's brutal death did more than merely push him into the legal system. Bree was also deeply traumatized by her grandfather's death. As she grew older and was forced by her parents to conceal what she saw, Bree began to use drugs and alcohol to relieve her sorrow. She accidently burned down her house while drunk. Still, Bree was able to save Diller from the flames. Soon after, she was ruled an unfit mother and lost custody of her kid. At the beginning of The Waterfront, Bree blames Cane for the ruling. He testified against her. Melissa Benoist, who plays Bree, stated it's difficult when a character makes decisions you disagree with. Bree makes some really stupid decisions. However, the performer claims that her character is also grappling with a sad and painful history.

Benoist persisted in his question, "What did she have to see?" And then you have to keep it a secret from everybody? It's unbelievable that a young girl should have to do that. When she realized that, everything made sense. Despite her issues, Bree strives to improve throughout the season. Benoist expresses a strong desire to correct her mistakes. Bree's drive for redemption makes her a character worth rooting for, despite her imperfections.

Belle's Secret Dealings and the Introduction of a Hidden Buckley Son.

A family's attempt to secure their future leads to further complications and surprises.

Bree is not the only one keeping secrets from her family. When The Waterfront opens, Belle is discreetly negotiating a real estate transaction with local businessman Wes (Dave Annable). Harlan's father originally purchased the oceanfront property for his wife, who wished to leave the shoreline natural. Holt McCallany noted that Harlan regards land as sacrosanct. It was considered sacrosanct by his father. It is where he spread his parents' ashes after they died. Harlan believes that as long as it exists, a bit of his father is still present. It would almost be inappropriate to develop a hotel or parking structure there.

But Belle believes that selling the land is the only way to salvage the Buckley family enterprise. Williamson claims she is trying to save Harlan from himself. And she is finished waiting. She believes that this arrangement will provide them the independence they have never had before. It will not only help them survive, but also the town. She sees the larger picture. She is determined to make him see it too. However, once Belle and Wes sleep together, the real estate deal falls through. At least that is what Belle believes. In episode 6, we learn that Wes exploited the financial papers he received from Belle. He twisted the issue for his own benefit. Because of Wes, the Buckley properties are set to go into foreclosure in 45 days. This twist adds to the family's already dire financial situation.

In the first episode of The Waterfront, Belle suspects the Buckleys' new bartender, Shawn. Some of the details he provides are accurate. He is from Texas. He doesn't have a girlfriend. Shawn, on the other hand, keeps his most important secret hidden. He is Harlan's son. He is the result of an affair that occurred many years ago. Shawn's mother was Bebe, a waitress at the Buckleys' restaurant. Bebe kept Shawn's father a secret until just before her death. So Shawn traveled to Havenport to meet his father. Throughout the season, he discovers what it means to be part of a large family. He develops close to Belle and ultimately speaks openly with Harlan. Harlan takes him under his wing. Rafael Silva, who plays Shawn, stated that Belle confirms his mother's presence in this specific location. That is another method to express that you are not lying. I notice how much trouble you've gone through just to get here. I see you. But Shawn does not know what it means to have a father calling him 'son'.

By the finale Shawn accepts his Buckley roots. He goes on the family mission to save Bree who Grady kidnapped. She is on a heavily guarded boat in the middle of the ocean. Shawn pauses when Cane offers him a gun. But he eventually takes the weapon. Silva says he takes the gun because this is all bigger than him now. It is about his family. It is about the history he did not know he had. All of a sudden he does not just have a father he has two siblings. This moment shows how much he has grown and accepted his new family.

Cane's Difficult Choices and the Future of the Buckley Family

Consequences of Violence and the Rocky Road to Marital Reconciliation

Williamson stated that Grady is dead. Sadly this is not The Vampire Diaries. People cannot come back. As the finale peaks Harlan Cane and Shawn sneak onto the boat to save Bree and Diller. Diller snuck onto the vessel without his family knowing. In a tense moment Cane and Harlan both realize the only way to stop Grady is to kill him. Cane is the one who shoots. Grady is shocked. Would the drug kingpin be upset that Harlan did not kill him? Topher Grace said yes for sure. Grady is the bad guy. But he actually wanted the partnership to work out between him and Harlan.

While Grady will never be Harlan’s son Holt McCallany says his character is deeply proud of his actual flesh and blood for stepping up. That is the moment Harlan thinks Cane became a man. All his life Harlan has wanted a relationship with his son like the one he had with his father. Finally Cane acts the way Harlan would have acted. And Cane shows his dad that there is more of Harlan in him than he thought. And that is a good thing. Cane might not agree though. Killing Grady is the first time Cane has taken a life so directly. Jake Weary who plays Cane said he does not think it gives Cane peace. There is still so much more to sort out. If anything Grady’s death just makes things more complicated for Cane morally.

When we first meet Cane and his wife Peyton they are clearly having marital problems. Weary explained that Cane has gotten himself into a bad spot. That has made him a bit distant from Peyton and their daughter. So he feels a sudden fresh air when he runs into his high school girlfriend Jenna (Humberly Gonzalez). Jenna is a journalist who came back from the city to care for her sick father. Weary continued that Jenna is an escape for him. She is a way for him to avoid his problems. Peyton notices her husband’s wandering eye. She becomes better friends with Jenna thinking this will stop any romance. Danielle Campbell who plays Peyton said she does not feel threatened. But she is also going to make sure she is not threatened. Peyton is going to be prepared.

Despite Peyton’s efforts Jenna and Cane’s friendly flirting turns into a real affair in episode 6. Humberly Gonzalez asks viewers to understand her character. She calls Jenna a good person in a tricky situation. She scared her at first because she did not want people to hate her for her choices. But she is so understandable because it is so human to be in a vulnerable place. Her marriage is a mess. Many old emotional hurts are coming back. She is trying to put a bandage on a bleeding wound. Sadly Cane is a very nice bandage. Still in the finale Jenna pushes Cane away. Her father just died. Cane’s wife was the only person there for Jenna when she needed help. Gonzalez thinks this girl needs some therapy and maybe some time alone. Weary suggested Cane might need to think about himself too. He is letting go of that perfect idea of himself and his past. He is trying to be more present and there for his family.

After breaking up with Jenna Cane returns home to a newly committed Peyton. She promises that their marriage is fine and she is going to make sure their relationship works. Weary said they ultimately have a relationship that is driven by sex and determination. When you have a family and a child it is not always easy. Sometimes you have to find your partner again. Sadly it took some people dying and Peyton almost getting set on fire for them to realize they can rely on each other. This change is a big step for Cane and Peyton. They have known each other for years. The actor thinks the couple has been around each other since high school but only got together after college. Campbell said in her mind Peyton has been outside their small fishing world. She has seen parts of the world but did not succeed in it. So she gets to be like the queen of their little town. While the pair are not high school sweethearts both Campbell and Weary agree their characters share something even more grown up. Weary said Cane does love Peyton and he loves his family.

With that in mind Peyton is not ready to lose control of the life she created yet. She has just learned about the Buckleys’ criminal activities. Campbell admitted Cane is in trouble. But Peyton had a choice. She could leave or she could stay and see what this world looks like. Now she has made her stand. Although Peyton swore she would never become Belle she is wrong about that Williamson said. Peyton has basically made the same choice as her mother-in-law. Belle stayed with Harlan through all his illegal activities. Williamson says Peyton knows what she wants and she is on a journey of self-discovery herself. This seems to promise more drama and unexpected turns for Peyton in future seasons.

Belle and Harlan’s relationship seemed to be getting better as the finale ended. Then Belle leaves for a secret meeting with Emmett Parker at the fish house. By this point the Buckleys and Parkers have a shaky alliance. As Belle turns a corner she sees the Parkers have kidnapped Wes and are beating him badly. Emmett explains they are not going to kill Wes. He is no good to them dead. Instead the Parkers want Wes’ complete loyalty now that he is involved in the land deal. Emmett even makes Wes call Belle his "boss." This suggests she is the Parkers’ preferred Buckley family leader. Williamson hopes viewers feel excited watching the last seconds of The Waterfront season 1. This season was about Harlan and Cane. It showed how they made up and how they will move forward. Now Belle is a little more visible. She is not living in the shadows. While this is good for Belle Harlan might not be so happy to learn his wife is working with the enemy in secret. Holt McCallany thinks his character would be willing to talk through Belle’s latest betrayal. Sometimes people make the wrong choices for the right reasons. If someone hurts Harlan he has to ask if it was their goal to hurt him or to protect him. Even though he would not like what Belle did she did it out of love for him and their family. This hints at some heavy conversations to come if there is a second season. Until then we can rewatch all the drama of the Buckley family on Netflix.