Why Bree Hates Cane in The Waterfront Episode 4

Nivedita Dubey
June 25, 2025

Summary

Bree’s resentment toward Cane stemmed from a pivotal event involving her son’s custody.
The Waterfront Episode 4 revealed Cane testified against Bree during her arson trial.
Despite their strained history, Bree and Cane reconciled after a major turning point.

Netflix’s The Waterfront explores the complexities of family loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Bree Buckley’s long-standing hatred for her younger brother Cane becomes a central plotline in the series. Episode 4 finally uncovers the real reason behind their broken bond, shedding light on Bree’s emotional journey, her mistakes, and the deep scars that shaped her actions.

**Why Does Bree Hate Cane in The Waterfront?**

In The Waterfront Episode 4, it is revealed that Bree’s hatred for Cane originated from a deeply personal betrayal. Before her stint in rehab, Bree was managing the financial side of the Buckley family’s struggling fishery. However, her battles with alcoholism spiraled out of control, leading to a major incident.

Bree set fire to her ex-husband’s house with her son, Diller, inside. During her arson trial, Cane testified against Bree, a move that caused the judge to strip her of custody rights. Bree viewed this moment as the ultimate betrayal, believing that Cane destroyed her relationship with her son. While she recovered from addiction, the emotional damage lingered, fueling her animosity.

Her choice to work as a confidential informant (CI) for DEA Agent Sanchez was rooted in this grudge. By bringing the DEA into her family’s affairs, Bree essentially waged war against the Buckleys, particularly Cane. However, Cane insisted his actions were aimed at helping Bree see the consequences of her reckless behavior and start accepting responsibility.

**Did Bree and Cane Reconcile in The Waterfront?**

While Bree’s actions painted her as vengeful, The Waterfront gradually revealed the cracks in her emotional armor. In a pivotal moment, Bree killed DEA Agent Sanchez, the very man she brought in, after realizing the threat he posed to her family. Following the murder, Bree relapsed, collapsing alone in the street. It was Cane who found her and took care of her, marking a turning point in their fractured relationship.

In a vulnerable conversation, Bree finally confessed to Cane that she witnessed their grandfather’s death as a child and had carried the guilt ever since. This revelation provided context to Bree’s long-standing emotional instability and self-destructive behavior. Cane acknowledged her pain, and the siblings found a way to heal their rift.

By the end of The Waterfront, Bree and Cane reconciled and vowed to work together, symbolizing a renewed bond rooted in mutual understanding. Their relationship evolved from resentment to forgiveness, which also helped stabilize the Buckley family’s dynamics as they faced external threats.

**Who Stars in The Waterfront and When Did It Release?**

The Waterfront, created by Kevin Williamson, premiered on Netflix and consists of eight episodes. The show centers on the Buckley family as they navigate financial hardships and moral dilemmas through illicit drug-smuggling operations tied to their legitimate fishery.

The cast includes: