‘The Waterfront’ Review: Topher Grace Gives Kevin Williamson’s Unconvincing Netflix Crime Soap a Much-Needed Boost

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Watching Netflix’s The Waterfront. A journey.

Following the premiere of The Waterfront, I wouldn’t say it’s an exceptional series, but it’s a decent effort at recreating the kind of relatable, youth-oriented soap operas that networks like The CW and The WB used to produce. The cast is noticeably above average.

After wrapping up episodes two and three of The Waterfront, I find that having a well-rounded ensemble and moments of exaggerated action doesn’t quite cut it when the character development is shallow and the narrative feels contrived and devoid of authenticity.

As a gamer immersed in The Waterfront’s fourth episode, I was ready to call it quits – the plot seemed predictable and devoid of innovative elements. But then, lo and behold, there he was – Topher Grace, transformed into a chilling sociopathic drug kingpin!

Topher Grace’s debut in an unprecedented manner didn’t single-handedly rescue Kevin Williamson’s latest endeavor to disguise semi-autobiographical elements using genre gimmicks. However, the veteran of “That ’70s Show” occasionally gives “The Waterfront” a distinct feel, as if it were a completely different series – one that is more adventurous, absurd, and less formulaic in its storytelling.

It’s possible that some viewers might find Grace’s appearance in this more mature version of Outer Banks – Advanced Banks – to be an unnecessary interruption. For myself, her arrival was a pleasant yet insufficient diversion, just enough to keep me interested during the second half of the season – typically for only three to five minutes at a time – but not nearly enough to make me truly enjoy it.

The narrative kicks off with a maritime assault, where pirates make off with a cargo ship carrying a moderate amount of illicit drugs, along with the lives of two sailors who, although not well-developed characters, are unfortunately lost in the process. Fans of Kevin Williamson’s works will find delight in the minor roles these sailors play.

As I discovered, the boat belongs to Cane Buckley, a hopeful contender for the role of Alt-Joshua Jackson, who runs a struggling local fishery in Havenport, North Carolina – a fictional waterfront town that seems barely real even within this storyline. The Buckleys were once a family that balanced legality with illicit activities, but have since gone legit. Now, on the brink of losing everything, they might find themselves drawn back into criminal dealings.

In my perspective, as a devoted fan, here’s how I might rephrase the given text:

Harlan, who I know as Holt McCallany and is known for his gruff demeanor, has been dealing with heart troubles lately. Unfortunately, he seems to be drowning his sorrows in drinking and womanizing. Belle, Maria Bello’s character, is valiantly managing the family restaurant while trying to turn a blind eye to Harlan’s questionable actions.

On the other hand, we have Bree, portrayed by Melissa Benoist, who has been fighting her way back from addiction. Her rock bottom was marked by an arson incident that now prevents her from spending unsupervised time with her teenage son, Brady Hepner’s character Diller. Despite her sincere efforts, her past struggles make this a challenging situation for both of them.

In this scenario, the protagonist, Cane, is married to a former beauty queen named Danielle Campbell, who possesses a feisty yet underutilized personality. Additionally, they have a young daughter who appears infrequently in the series, which is advantageous given that the opening episode of the season introduces a tragic event, serving as the initial step in an intensifying drug war. This conflict eventually draws in the local sheriff, Michael Gaston’s character Clyde, a DEA agent named Gerardo Celasco’s Marcus, and later on, Topher Grace’s character Grady becomes involved.

Initially, in episodes primarily helmed by Marcos Siega, who often collaborates with Williamson, The Waterfront appears meticulously polished and aesthetically pleasing to an unrealistic extent. It’s as if it were a promotional advertisement for filming in North Carolina. For instance, the coastal home of Cane and Peyton seems excessively lavish, only truly opulent during the pilot, later becoming generic and seldom used. The fishery, supposedly crucial to the town’s economy, appears more like a movie set than an operational facility, suggesting that no one works or guts fish there. The Main Street resembles a small-town Main Street from a Netflix series, as if designed by the local Chamber of Commerce. Overall, it feels so detached from reality and heavily influenced by Kevin Williamson’s imagination that I’m taken aback he didn’t name the town after himself.

In essence, while the series “The Waterfront” incorporates elements from Williamson’s personal history, it doesn’t feel like a heartfelt personal narrative. The creator has mentioned his fisherman father and growing up in North Carolina, yet the final product seems more like a typical blend of unexciting family crime drama and questionable wealth-focused content, tailored for streaming platforms. This adaptation differs from Williamson’s previous broadcast work due to extended episode lengths, an occasional focus on graphic violence, and one scene that might suggest visible pubic hair (not a sexual scene, as the sex in “The Waterfront” is more suitable for teen audiences). Compared to other shows like “Outer Banks”, “The Waterfront” may feature older characters, but it lacks the same level of depth and enjoyment.

As a gamer, one thing that hooks me into an ensemble series is the authenticity of the characters’ lives. I want to feel like their stories persist, not just when the cameras are rolling, but also in between scenes or storylines. It’s a bit disappointing when it seems as though the main characters vanish completely when they’re not directly involved in the plot. Rarely have I found a show where so many of its key characters appear lifeless outside their designated roles.

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in this TV show, where Shawn, played by Rafael L. Silva, appears to potentially be the main character, but lacks depth and seems more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character. Jenna (Humberly Gonzalez), Cane’s ex, comes into town to take care of her father, often referencing a journalism career that feels almost comically insignificant. Dave Annable portrays a land developer who occasionally negotiates with Belle, and Diller, Bree’s son, casually mentions that school is out of session. Even strong actors like McCallany and Bello are affected by this issue, making me question if there’s more happening off-screen. Two scenes where Harlan goes from scruffy to clean-shaven stand out as unusual, hinting at possible off-camera events.

The unexpected delight of Topher Grace joining the series lies in the peculiarity of his character. While Grady may not stray far from the familiar sunny-yet-sarcastic persona that Grace often portrays (even in roles like David Duke), the way this persona is employed in this context is refreshingly unique. Grady is an eccentric individual with daddy issues and a lack of self-control, and it’s puzzling how he gained the loyalty of his subordinates or what his business strategy is. This ambiguity made me eager to spend more time observing him (both Grady and Topher Grace, whose blend of cheerful and maniacal fits perfectly) and his operation. Since the Buckley family dynamics don’t offer anything new compared to shows like Yellowstone, Ozark, or even One Tree Hill, I found myself drawn to Grady and his storyline more and more.

In the sixth episode, Grady employs an unanticipated device for torture in a way that’s both cruel and comically captured. Having witnessed countless scenes of on-screen torment, I can confidently assert that this scene ranks among my favorites, verging on unique. However, if none of the other aspects of “The Waterfront” are as original or compelling as the one standout performance and the two-minute torture sequence, then recommending the show solely based on these elements seems rather weak, doesn’t it?

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2025-06-19 10:24