Warning! Spoilers for The Waterfront season 1 ahead!
The whole ofThe Waterfrontseason 1 was working toward its Belle twist, and the delivery makes me so much more excited for season 2. This Netflix crime drama introduced the prominentBuckley family, who earned their wealth from the fishing industry and some less-than-honest work on the side. Harlan Buckley and his father, Beau, had used their fishery to traffic heroin back in the day. However, when Beau was killed for double-crossing his supplier, Harlan got out of the drug trade. Of course, this all changed inThe Waterfrontseason 1 thanks to Cane and Belle.
Harlan Buckley’s wife and son developed a plan inThe Waterfrontseason 1to get the family out of their financial troubles. This involved developing several sentimental parcels of land and diving back into heroin trafficking with a new supplier. This quickly went wrong, however. The supplier, Grady, was unpredictable and dangerous, and the Buckley family came under heat. To free themselves from Grady, the Buckleys turned to their old suppliers, the Parkers (who killed Beau Buckley back in the day).The twist here is that the Parkers want Belle in charge, not Harlan.
The Waterfront Season 1’s Ending Teases That Belle Will Take Over As The Buckley Family’s Leader
The Parkers Want Belle In Charge
Harlan is the rugged and savvy leader of the Buckley empire inThe Waterfrontseason 1. However, the Parkers had previously been betrayed by Harlan’s father, so they weren’t too eager to work with Beau Buckley’s son. Though they came to a deal anyway, Belle’s desperation to resolve the land deal gave the Parkers some added leverage. They offered to take care of Wes, the man who bought the Buckleys' debt from the bank in order to push the land deal through, but said that, in exchange,they wanted Belle to usurp Harlan’s place as the head of the family business.
The final moments ofThe Waterfrontseason 1 see Belle follow through with the Parkers' deal. As far as these suppliers are concerned, Mrs. Buckley is now their business partner, not Harlan. However, Belle was meant to tell her husband about this before she headed for the fish house to meet the Parkers—but she didn’t. As of the end of this Netflix series' first installment,Harlan has no idea that his wife has taken over his position in the eyes of the Parkers. This will surely feel like a significant betrayal inThe Waterfrontseason 2, and I’m absolutely here for it.
How The Waterfront Set Up Belle As A Better Leader Than Harlan
Belle potentially being in charge of the Buckley empire was an excellent twist for the final moments ofThe Waterfront’s premiere season. However, it wasn’t necessarily a surprise. The previous episodes had done extensive work to set Belle up as the more fitting leader. Sure, she made some significant mistakes. However,Belle understands the challenges faced by her family far more than her husband does. She didn’t grow up with Harlan’s affluence, and she had to fight tooth and nail for everything she achieved. At one point, Belle even stated that she had earned the Buckley name, while Harlan was only born to it.
Add in the fact that Harlan’s health is unstable (and he isn’t taking care of himself), and Belle is just a better long-term bet.
The Waterfrontdemonstrated other ways that Belle would be an effective leader. Harlan may be tough, but he is surprisingly sentimental. This is why he was unwilling to sell the waterfront properties that his mother had purchased for the Buckleys decades earlier.Belle, on the other hand, knew that the family couldn’t afford sentimentality. It may not be a great character trait, but when looking for a leader in criminal activity, this is absolutely key. Add in the fact that Harlan’s health is unstable (and he isn’t taking care of himself), and Belle is just a better long-term bet.
What The Family Twist Means For Belle & Harlan In The Waterfront Season 2
Their Marriage Is Sure To Become Even More Strained
Belle and Harlan’s marriage was unsteady long before the ending ofThe Waterfrontseason 1. It’s revealed early on that Harlan is a serial adulterer, and this has taken a toll on Belle over the years. She’s developed resentment, which is why she engaged in her own affair with Wes. Before heading to the fish house to meet with the Parkers, Belle and Harlan seemed to connect for a moment. There’s clearly love here, and it seemed as if they had reached some resolution. However, Belle was lying to Harlan the whole time. Surely,this rocky marriage is only going to get worse inThe Waterfrontseason 2.
