‘Rebel’ Series Finale: Andy Garcia Previews Cruz’s Courtroom Showdown
Q&A
We would argue that Rebel didn’t get a fair trial. ABC recently canceled the drama starring Katey Sagal as consumer advocate Annie “Rebel” Bello (inspired by Erin Brockovich), who crusades for justice with her close friend, hot-tempered lawyer Julian Cruz (a stellar Andy Garcia, above).
In Thursday’s eighth and final episode, the verdict comes down in their season-long fight against the manufacturer of a faulty heart valve. We spoke to the actor before the bad news broke.
How would you describe Cruz’s relationship with Rebel?
Andy Garcia: A platonic love affair. They met young — their kids were in preschool. They push each other’s buttons, but there’s love and respect. God forbid you should try to come between them!
They also share grief over the loss of Cruz’s wife, Sharon, who was Rebel’s best friend. Does pain drive him?
He tries to lose himself in work but has a hole in his heart that’s impossible to heal even though it might not bleed as constantly. He talks to [Sharon], an idea I had for the character. I told Krista [Vernoff, the show’s creator] that I’d like a piano in my office — that’s where Cruz finds solace. What I play is an improvisation on a theme that I wrote.
ABC/Scott Everett White
So you’re both musical. How else is Cruz like you?
When I was sent the material, it was not specific who he was other than Hispanic. It was an opportunity to make Cruz someone of my culture, to honor the people that came, like I did, from Cuba in the early 1960s fleeing a dictatorship, pursuing basic human rights. Cruz’s background motivated him to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer in Cuba. He’s no longer around, but everything he was is in Cruz.
Do you talk to your dad, as Cruz does with his late wife?
I talk to all the guys and gals up there. They’re watching.
ABC/Karen Ballard
What can we expect in Thursday’s courtroom showdown between passionate Cruz and the opposing counsel, slick Benji Ray, one of Rebel’s ex-husbands?
Benji [James Lesure] and [Cruz] are colleagues, but on the opposite sides of the train tracks of the law. There’s respect, but if you misbehave, you’re going to hear it.
Rebel, Series Finale, Thursday, June 10, 10/9c, ABC
Conversation8 Comments
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G
Rebel was a great written show with a great cast of talented actors. It should have never been cancelled. The powers that be never gave this show a fighting chance. So sorry to see it go.😥😣😭😢
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B
What a shame this show has been cancelled. I like seeing well written characters over 50 living vital lives. I'll miss it.
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P
Me as well. Shame they keep crap like the Bachelor on. Cancel this show.
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B
Rebel is a great show and should of not been cancelled. The network never gave it a true chance, yet they keep renewing shows that are far under this show's caliber
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B
Please keep rebel on!! It’s a great show and good actors
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C
I’m so disappointed this show was cancelled. In my opinion ABC did not give it a chance. Please put it back on 🙏.
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P
I watched the season because Katey Sagal was great in Sons of Anarchy, nice to se Andy Garcia on TV, and I love a good legal/courtroom drama, but the writing was a disappointment.
There were so many plot holes when they drop things or leave loose ends - the spy leaves a bug under Cruz's desk - they never discover it and it is not shown being removed. The spy blackmails then then the when Rebel learns of the lovechild, they don't go after the blackmailer of disclose the blackmail. They are going to dig up Cruz's wife, then drop it and never go back to the idea...
The multi-racial cast seems forced that the ex-husband and daughter are black and they are working on opposite sides etc. and the daughter and son live together etc. and then how everybody instantly recognizes Rebel/Sagal etc.
The bright side of the cancellation is that Sagal and Garcia should be able to find better written vehicles. I find 30 year od Law&Order episodes a better use of my time.
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B
They do show Angela removing the bug from Cruz's desk. He walks in on her as she is removing it and she quickly makes up a story as to why she came to see him. The reason they dropped the idea of digging up Cruz's wife was because they found the chemist so there was no need to dig her up.
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