How Does The Waterfront End? Wade into the Deep End of the Deadly Finale

The season finale of The Waterfront took viewers on a heart-pounding, turbulent ride, leaving fans at the edge of their seats as the fates of the Buckley family were dramatically altered. With the usual chaos that defines their lives seemingly calming down, the finale wrapped up some of the show’s most intense plotlines while teasing a deepening web of conflict that will undoubtedly unfold in future seasons. As the Buckleys fight to stay on top in their small-town crime empire, tensions within the family are set to rise, especially with the unexpected involvement of a more powerful rival crime family—the Parkers.

The Calm Before the Storm

The finale begins with a rare moment of respite for the Buckleys. Bree (played by Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist), the criminal family’s eldest daughter, has just been rescued from certain death after being kidnapped by the dangerous drug lord Grady (Topher Grace). For a moment, the tumultuous sea surrounding the Buckley family seems to have quieted. Bree is pulled from the ocean’s depths by her father Harlan (Holt McCallany) and her brothers Cane (Jake Weary) and Shawn (Rafael Silva), marking the end of her harrowing ordeal. Bree, who has long struggled with her connection to the family’s criminal empire, seems to have found some peace. Even her son, Diller (Brady Hepner), who has been battling simmering resentment toward his mother’s lifestyle, is now genuinely concerned for her well-being, signaling the potential for personal growth and reconciliation within the family.

Harlan, the patriarch of the Buckley clan, is also attempting to return to a more stable life with his wife, Belle (Maria Bello). After years of running from his criminal past, Harlan’s return to crime in the wake of Bree’s kidnapping marks a dangerous decision that tests his loyalties. Yet, there are signs of a potential rekindling of his relationship with Belle, who has endured so much. However, even as they seem to be heading toward a semblance of normalcy, a call changes everything.

The Shocking Call: Enter the Parkers

Belle’s phone call, which marks the pivotal moment in the finale, shatters any illusion of peace for the Buckleys. She is summoned to the Buckleys’ own fish house by Emmett Parker (Terry Serpico), a member of the more powerful Parker crime family, who operates on a much larger scale than the Buckleys ever have. As Kevin Williamson, the creator of The Waterfront, describes it, “The Buckleys might be the big family in town, but they’re really a much smaller operation. The Buckleys are the big fish in a small town. But the Parkers? They’re a school of sharks.”

The Parkers, who have long been a shadowy presence in Havenport, are now eyeing the Buckleys not as rivals, but as potential partners. In a surprising twist, it’s Belle, not Harlan, who becomes their main point of contact. Williamson explains that Belle is seen as more “pragmatic” and “rational” than Harlan, with the ability to make decisions based on reason rather than emotion. This makes her the perfect candidate for a partnership with the Parkers, who see her as a more stable and calculated leader than her volatile husband.

This revelation sets the stage for a massive conflict within the Buckley family. Harlan, who has long carried the weight of his father’s death at the hands of the Parkers, will likely view Belle’s secret dealings with the rival family as nothing short of betrayal. This betrayal threatens to fracture the already fragile unity within the Buckley clan and sets up a season-long struggle for power and control over the family’s future.

The Buckleys vs. The Parkers: A Dangerous Power Struggle

The introduction of the Parkers adds a new dimension to the already complex power dynamics in The Waterfront. Throughout Season 1, Harlan has positioned himself as the undisputed head of the Buckley crime family, but the Parkers, with their expansive influence and more sophisticated operation, pose a direct threat to his authority. Belle’s growing involvement with the Parkers introduces a dangerous variable—one that could either elevate the Buckleys to new heights or drive them into ruin.

The Parkers are far more established and ruthless than the Buckleys, with a network that stretches well beyond Havenport. Their attempts to co-opt Belle into their fold demonstrate just how precarious the Buckley family’s position is. The Parkers have the resources and manpower to easily dismantle the Buckleys if they choose to, and this looming threat casts a shadow over everything the Buckleys have built.

Harlan’s Struggle: Loyalty vs. Revenge

For Harlan, the potential deal with the Parkers hits even harder because of the history between the two families. His father’s death at their hands remains one of his most painful memories, and the idea of working alongside the Parkers is both a betrayal of his father’s legacy and a complicated business decision. Harlan’s inner conflict—whether to pursue vengeance against the Parkers or to make a pragmatic choice for his family’s survival—will likely drive much of the drama in Season 2. His emotional struggles, loyalty to his father, and desire to protect his family will be put to the ultimate test as he faces the possibility of working with the very people who took his father’s life.

Belle’s Silent Battle

Belle, too, is faced with a dilemma. She is presented with the chance to align with the Parkers, who offer her a level of respect and control that Harlan has never truly given her. Belle has always been a woman of intelligence and strength, and the Parkers see her as an equal, someone who can help them consolidate power in the region. However, her decision to meet with them in secret will undoubtedly come back to haunt her. Her actions will be seen as a betrayal by Harlan, creating a rift between the couple and placing her in a precarious position within the Buckley family.

What’s Next for the Buckleys?

As the season finale wraps up, it’s clear that The Waterfront is setting up for a much more complex and volatile second season. The introduction of the Parkers as formidable players in the game changes everything for the Buckleys. As Belle steps into a potential leadership role with the rival family and Harlan grapples with his past, the Buckleys’ future is hanging by a thread.

With their family dynamics tested, dangerous new alliances forming, and long-held grudges threatening to tear everything apart, the next chapter in The Waterfront promises to be even more intense and unpredictable than before. Fans are sure to be eagerly awaiting what happens next as the Buckleys find themselves caught between loyalty, love, and power.