(S01E03) So I was beginning to have really mixed feelings about this show. I loved the classic themes and plots which allow for so many storylines and conflicts. And of course, no one can argue with this ensemble cast. But I felt like the story wasn't pulling me in and Alex's character wasn't believable or appealing. (I know it's TV so "believable" is a huge demand, but I mean that brand of TV believable.) I watched last week and had this sense that something was just missing. Maybe it has too many characters. Maybe it has too many storylines. Maybe CBS keeps these storylines a little too PG for a show that's slated for 10 p.m. (HBO could turn this plot and this cast into the just-can't-miss-it television that populates the Sunday night time slots.) But tonight, all my mixed feelings about Cane started to disappear...
Thankfully for audiences, Rita Moreno had more of a role in this week's episode. Her dialogue with Hector Elizondo about what to make for dinner was a little irrelevant but funny. I loved his shouting, "No fish" and her shouting back as she exited his office, "We're having halibut." Also, her dialogue with Nestor Carbonell furthered the theme of this episode: secrets. I was surprised to find out that even she didn't know why Alex and Pancho hate the Samuels so much. She told her son that she didn't hate them she just didn't trust them because her husband hated them. This part of the storyline doesn't quite work for me. Even Ellis Samuels (who the previews for Cane bill as the villainess of the show) doesn't know her father's dark past with the Duques. It makes her and Frank seem innocent. It makes their affair seem less scandalous. Frank is almost a sympathetic character (emphasis on the "almost"). If he doesn't know what Joe Samuels has done to his family then how can he object wholeheartedly to doing business with him or be disgusted at the idea of having a relationship with Joe's daughter. 
I was happy to see Alex broach this topic with his father. Alex is right. Why not just tell Frank? Pancho seemed to think that since blood is thicker than water that Frank's feelings of resentment will subside.
Apparently Pancho was wrong and these feelings will only get worse, further eroding the relationship between the brothers and calling into question Frank's loyalty to his entire family. This week the conflict with Alex and Frank heated up. It was exciting to see that the lines were drawn in the sand between the two men who will be responsible for most of the conflict this season. The scene at the end where Alex lights his cigar and Frank just stares back from the deck of his boat as Ellis speeds away in a little red sportscar was priceless. Audiences also got their first look at a real argument between Alex and Frank. Both characters were privy to the other's secrets and they whispered threats as the entire family stood an earshot away in the other room. The low lighting and close-ups on the actors' faces added to the suspense.
It was nice to see a little glimmer of fear in Alex's eyes after Frank threatened to tell Pancho about the murder. It's important to see the main character sweat a little. That way, when he / she gains the upper-hand again, it's worthwhile for the audience. I just couldn't engage in Alex's character up until now. He always seemed so in control.
_thumbnail.jpg "Duque Rum Factory")
_thumbnail.jpg "Frank and Ellis")
_thumbnail.jpg "Jaime Duque")
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-10-2007 @ 12:36PM
Jeffrey Lipsey said...
I'm not all that much of a fan for the show, although it is slowly growing on me. If I had to chose, Alex and Pancho are my favorite characters.
"If the writers keep Alex out of a physical role (which it looks they are going to do with the Samuels keeping such close watch) then Smits could be the guy that saves Cane from the can."
http://lamererun.com/2007/10/10/cane-the-two-alex-vegas/
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12-09-2007 @ 10:14AM
theresa berntson said...
thank you for another night of a great show. i hope never to miss one thanks again
10-10-2007 @ 12:45PM
BC said...
I disagree.
I liked the first two episodes, but I did not like this one as I found too many holes in the story (just like you said I know it's TV so "believable" is a huge demand, but it should be that brand of TV believable).
The biggest problem I had with episode #3 was:
1) Although I agree Alex was right not to loan the youngest son the money for the club, but why would he not go to a bank for a loan? He could have used the club as collateral, and surely a bank would loan him the money based on his name (plus its a successful night club already right). Business 101 teaches you not to borrow money from what looked like loan sharks, but people he had not even checked out. I know "his" lawyer set it up, but why would he have a different lawyer from the one the family uses anyways? If he was trying to "prove" himself to his father that is one thing, but he appears to not be very close with the father anyways, so ?????
2) I lost respect for Alex when he told Frank near the end in the confrontation with the lets tell Pancho line about the affair. That was like tattle telling when we were kids on your brother or sister. We are supposed to believe Alex is a tough guy, big company CEO, yet he results to running to tell daddy on the brother. Alex is not going to make many believe he is all powerful acting like that in my opinion.
I did like the fact Alex pulled one over on the Samuels / his brother in the con about the business meeting in Miami (if it was a con or if he was just saving face with a lie about it).
Here is my thoughts on some main overall topics too:
The family is supposed to be very close but there are too many secrets. I know "secrets" is what makes a soap opera type drama, but as close as the family is portrayed then I get the feeling they are apart or in opposite directions.
1) Why did Pancho pass over Frank? There has to be more than the "he's not ready" thing. And why not tell his wife who is his son's mother his reasons. No one has even really questioned Pancho passing over Frank. I would think Alex and the mother should confront him as to why Alex over Frank (perhaps even the daughter would ask why my husband over your real son?).
2) Why is the younger brother a night club owner and not in the "business". Surely Pancho would want all his sons to be in the family business.
3) As a matter of fact why is the daughter not involved too --- this is 2007 so she needs to be more than someone who just pops out kids. She should be involved in the business in some capacity. Also there should be a story where she questions her loyalty with the husband over her brother regarding the company and she has to choice sides of home/business (perhaps the season finale will have Pancho on his death bed and such a conflict arises).
4) Alex would surely confide in Pancho about the murder. And why do other members not know about the duaghters death/kidnapping all these years later and that the Samuels were behind it? I would think Pancho would want everyone to know the Samuels are not just business rivals but their enemies for life too. His real sons not knowing is unbelievable or the wife.
5) The Romeo/Juleit relationship with Frank and Ellis won't work in my opinion. Ellis needs to the the bad guy here (daddy's girl and future of the Ellis Empire) for this to work. She should be totally using Frank knowing he is the weak one of the family (apparently Pancho knows this and passed him over for Alex). My point is their relationship only works for her to be the villian and make him gullible. She should be the real counterpart to Alex.
4) Why would the brother want Alex to fail? I would be PO if I was passed over for the son in law but if the company that he has 30% in fails, then so does he in reality. I would think he would have more family loyalty especially based on his heritage and how the family closeness is being protrayed to honor his fathers wishes than to undermind Alex for spite.
I like the show and think it has possibilities. It has a great cast and it could bring back the soap opera drama (like Dallas and Dynasty in the 80's) if they do it right. I basically feel like you wrote in the opening paragraph -- I am having mixed feelings about the show and its storylines. I just think there is something missing because this show could be so much better even on regular TV.
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10-12-2007 @ 10:41AM
Isaac said...
My take on Cane so far;
I was just thinking that while watching cane it occurred to me that maybe the old man chose that guy (Schmitts) to be in charge to set him up. What I mean is that he knew that to deal with the Samuels it required a criminal mind to do criminal things.
Better to have an adopted son to do the dirty work and to get in trouble with the law than his own blood that would quickly take over if there was trouble in paradise. Alex's wife would be taken care of anyway cause she's part of the duque family.
So Alex will go down and he will quickly be labeled "as the adopted" son that is not part of the Duque family.
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10-10-2007 @ 2:43PM
JENNIFER said...
GIVE ME MORE OF THIS SHOW!! Once a week is not enough. I enjoy the acting, the cast, the story line, the music, All of it!! I'm so sick of reality TV that this one is a breath of fresh cuban air! I love when they speak Spanish, I love Jimmy Smits. I nearly had a breakdown on NYPD BLUE when he died in the hospital....so I am happy to see him looking so....ahhh, HEALTHY!! Mmmmmm
:)
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10-10-2007 @ 2:45PM
JENNIFER said...
Oh and one more thing...that actor who plays the "bad" guy - the driver now....Santo I think his name is....He is soooo believeable!! Love him too.
:)
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10-10-2007 @ 10:58PM
Kristin Sample said...
I think that the writers had Henry make a deal with sketchy people and not go to a bank to show how neither of Pancho's natural sons have the reserve or temperance to run such an important company. Notice they had Frank in shots with his Ferrari, his yacht and chatting on his cell phone while he drove his speedboat. However, I agree that somewhere in the conversation between Alex and Henry, Alex should have inquired why Henry didn't go to a bank. Or they could've had a scene where Henry is drunk and openly discussing his plans with the sketchy loan shark guys.
I also agree that the writers should explain why Frank was not chosen or why Frank and Alex can't run the company together. They need some flashback scenes, perhaps. Or, as I have said in the past, just make Frank into more of a villain. I actually like Frank right now.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:59PM
Kristin Sample said...
I like the angle someone brought up about Pancho setting Alex up. That would be a good angle to build to at the end of the first season. It makes for so much conflict...Isabel then has to choose a side.
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10-17-2007 @ 10:20AM
emy said...
to jennifer.santo,s name is oscar torre I just read this on cbs site, and he is my favorite, he is so believable, he seems like the typical cuban, (he talks with his hands) I just loved this character.
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10-24-2007 @ 11:15PM
RAFY MANSO said...
does anybody knows the brand cell phone jimmy smiths uses on the show?
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10-29-2007 @ 10:03AM
theresa berntson said...
Great show,this is another "Dallas" wouldn't miss even one episode. Thanks for a great night with tv
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11-14-2007 @ 5:18PM
theresa berntson said...
Thank you again for another great night of your show .Wouldn't change a thing your one of the best, a senior fan in Az.
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1-07-2008 @ 8:14PM
Theresa Berntson said...
when will Cane be playing again?
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