The Waterfront is a new Netflix show that premiered on June 19th. Created by Kevin Williamson, the show stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, Jake Weary, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, Brady Hepner, and Topher Grace. Inspired by true events, The Waterfront dives into the flawed Buckley family as their attempts to retain control of their crumbling North Carolina fishing empire drive them to increasingly dangerous means to keep themselves afloat.

Anything Holt McCallany is in, I am there. Hearing Topher Grace was going to be a drug lord here though sounded ridiculous enough that I had to see it myself. I initially requested a screener for the show, but I don’t think any screeners were sent out, because it seems like the show has rarely been talked about from critics. To be quite honest, Netflix’s marketing is already strange enough to me that I think people will only come to find out about the show based on who is casted in and word of mouth. I could have swore I saw somewhere where this was supposed to be a miniseries. Based on where the season ends and the inevitable popularity it will gain, there is no doubt there will be a second season.

This is the kind of show where you have to suspend a lot of disbelief in order for this to work. I have seen other shows like it that I personally found myself entertained for the most part. I could easily see this being compared to Netflix’s Ozark. There is a compelling premise with interesting characters. It does have a soap opera atmosphere. With Kevin Williamson behind it, you can easily see where this is the kind of show they don’t make anymore where the story choices are implausible, but still entertaining.

With only 8 episodes, this season never overstays its welcome and it manages to always get straight to the point. The logline mentions its inspired by true events, but based on what occurs throughout, I am sure the story can be a little stretched it make it more entertaining. The conflicts this family faces makes them an intriguing bunch; however, the lack of consequences of their actions are abundantly apparent. Considering where this season ends, I think it’s only fair for us to see these stories through. I personally don’t think these characters should go off scot-free.

Maybe I feel this way due to how troubled the family is. Make no mistake, the performances are great from top to bottom. Holt McCallany has a strong leading presence that makes the show captivating. Maria Bello is excellent beside him. Melissa Benoist & Jake Weary both shines as their grown up kids. When you see the father hit his own son in the first episode, it already makes this family disgusting and not likable at all. That’s why I want to see these people have consequences.

The addition of Topher Grace as this season’s villain is certainly a choice. Ever since his villainous performance in Spider-Man 3, Grace seems to have the most diverse career out of anyone in That 70’s Show. When his character has to play into his flaws is when the character shines the most. It makes his character more interesting. As someone meant to be the first big bad of a show? It’s sort of a misfire. I just personally don’t think anyone has been able to pull out the right performance from Grace yet, but I can still see it happening down the road.

Most of my flaws with the show mainly rely on how ridiculous the writing can be. From the things Holt McCallany’s character is allowed to do to Melissa Benoist having a teenage son, a lot of it is implausible and unrelatable. I didn’t buy that Benoist would have a teenage son. I didn’t buy that Maria Bello’s character would be cool with what her husband does. I didn’t buy that Grace had a villainous performance that lead to his henchmen doing anything at a snap of a finger. It’s all sort of comically ridiculous, but also somehow entertaining thanks to how Williamson knowing how to keep the momentum going.

Starting off with a song I actually liked, the needle drops this show uses only gets worse. I personally can’t stand country music, and this show uses so much of it. I get that it can fit the tone and the location, but relying so much on it can only get you so far. Needle drops tend to be used to win audiences over. I don’t mind it from time to time, but when you have an actual composer working on your show, just rely on them.

Overall, The Waterfront is a good time for what it is. I am sure I will watch a second season if it gets renewed, but I don’t think I would go out of my way to recommend this show to anyone else. This year has also been an incredible year so far for film & television. If you have nothing else to watch, then sure, watch it. It’s entertaining for all the right reasons. If you suspend more disbelief than I did, then you may enjoy it even more.

VERDICT: 3/5 (Good)