Be prepared for significant plot revelations from the conclusion of Netflix’s ‘The Waterfront.’ By the close of the season, the dubious practices of the Buckley family have repercussions. Developed by Kevin Williamson, the series revolves around a family in the imaginary town of Havenport, North Carolina, that is trying to achieve financial stability through their fishing business. Due to health concerns, family head Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) steps down from directing the restaurant and fishery, handing over the responsibility to his son Cane (Jake Weary). The series, first released on Netflix on June 19th, starts with two of the Buckley’s workers being killed after Cane chooses to engage in drug smuggling using the company’s boats as a means to earn additional revenue.
From the moment Cane embarks on his illegal activities, ripple effects engulf the entire family, implicating Belle (Maria Bello), the mother, and their daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist) in the criminal pursuits. The climax occurs during a showdown against Grady (Topher Grace), the drug supplier who’s at the heart of the unraveling operations. As soon as Episode 8 concludes, it’s clear that the Buckley family needs a new leader to emerge from the ranks. Here’s an analysis of the complex plot of ‘The Waterfront’s’ first season finale.
The climax of ‘The Waterfront’ continues straight from the suspenseful ending of Episode 7. Yet another kidnapping sets the stage, with Bree and her estranged son Diller (Brady Hepner) as the victims. Grady seizes them to compel Harlan into action. Harlan is held to account for destroying his opium farm. Meanwhile, at their home, the family – including Shawn (Rafael Silva), confirmed to be Harlan’s illegitimate son – start devising a strategy to bring Bree back.
While Harlan feigns capitulation, Cane and Shawn discreetly board Grady’s boat to release Bree and Diller. But Bree, impulsive and daring, attempts to rebel before they arrive, which results in her getting shot in the leg and tossed into the sea. Diller throws her a survival kit consisting of a raft and flare gun. Unable to locate Bree, Cane and Shawn take it upon themselves to save Harlan, triggering a skirmish with Grady and his associates.
Who meets their fate in ‘The Waterfront’ finale? A final confrontation ensues on the boat between Harlan, Cane, and Grady. The father-son duo corners Grady with their guns. As Grady relinquishes his weapon, he derides Cane for his perceived incapacity to pull the trigger, then challenges Harlan with a cynical remark, ‘Is this the son you want?’ Cane retorts by shooting Grady multiple times, leading to Grady’s fall into the sea.
At the same time, Bree, on the life raft, drifts in and out of consciousness until her family reaches her. They quickly take her to the hospital. In the hospital’s waiting area, Cane appears unsettled from the sin of murder. But Harlan comforts him, reinforcing that his actions were necessary to protect their family from Grady’s constant threats.
The season seems to conclude with the Buckley family regaining their footing. Belle and Harlan resolve their love for each other. Cane mends his relationship with his wife Peyton (Danielle Campbell), after a transgression, and Bree is brought back to Diller, her son. The newly appointed sheriff, Drew, gives Harlan the assurance that the boat was ‘spotlessly clean,’ implying the Buckley family essentially got away scot-free with murder.
In the end, Belle’s earlier efforts to salvage the Buckley business surfaces again. While Cane ventured into drug trafficking to gather the necessary finances to keep their business running, Belle collaborated with Wes Benson (Dave Annable) to contemplate selling a portion of their Havenport waterside property. In the process, Belle and Wes became romantically entangled.
Belle withdrew from the property deal, thinking the sale would ‘destroy’ Harlan. However, with insight into the family’s financial affairs, Wes clandestinely buys some of the Buckley family’s debts, essentially gaining control of the property. Despite Harlan’s anger towards Belle’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering, it doesn’t deter her from making the same move again.
Belle, needing to dispose of some bodies at the fishery, recruits the help of an emerging threat, the Parker family. Belle seeks out Emmett Parker from another notorious family, notorious for murdering Harlan’s father years back. Emmett stirs up their shared history and asserts he is on Belle’s side. He suggests she should be in charge and offers his support to her if she ever needs it.
While in the hospital, Belle receives a call from Emmett. The stipulation for his help with the property deal is that Belle should be in charge. The final scene of season 1 unveils that she accepts the offer. She enters the fish house to encounter Emmett. Wes is there as well, battered and bound.
Emmett explains to Belle, after she questions whether they intend to kill Wes, ‘We’ll need his complete loyalty, to both of us’. Then, he removes the duct tape from Wes’ mouth and says, ‘Well, what do you have to say to your new boss?’
This twist at the end of Season 1 positions the Buckleys and particularly Belle in a problematic place – they now owe another devious family. It’s clear that this situation will bring about further difficulties.
In summary, ‘The Waterfront’ draws viewers in with its captivating portrayal of a family entangled in both legal struggles and illegal ventures to keep their business running. The final season of ‘The Waterfront’ leaves viewers wondering how the Buckley family, especially Belle, will handle their newfound obligations and the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead.
Overall, this leaves the Buckley’s and Belle herself indebted to another criminal syndicate – an arrangement that will definitely result in more complications.