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# ‘Cane’ is quite able in Smits’ return to TV
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/cane-is-quite-able-in-smits-return-to-tv/
- Published: 2007-09-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T03:01:46.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*FROM SURFING PAGE 17 Smits is compelling in CBS’ ‘Cane’*

*By B Y J A C K N E W O R T H CHANNELSURFING* been kidnapped or even killed. Panicked, Alex searches the grounds until he spots Artie with Quinones whom Alex nearly chokes to death with a baseball bat before having security remove him.

“Cane” has something for everyone. Smits has a wide appeal — tough enough for men and gentle enough for women. Being head of the business, and what he does to “protect his family,” is almost “Soprano” like as Alex orders the elimination of Quinones, a move that will have dire consequences in upcoming episodes. For the AARP crowd, Elizaondo and Moreno have charms that are more appealing than ever. Pancho’s youngest son, Henry (Eddie Matos) is a major heartthrob. He owns a nightclub, which allows for Cuban music, food and youth-oriented situations to permeate the show. Alex’s daughter, Katie (Lina Esco) is 13 (going on 23) and raring to party, which will undoubtedly present its share of issues. Frankly, Katie looks too old for the part and her mother, Isabel.

The Cuban-American subject matter, and South Florida location of “Cane” seems fresh and authentic, a tribute to the background of it’s creator, Cynthia Cidre. I’ve always been interested in Cuban culture. Mark Twain once commented, “All generalizations are wrong, including this one.” That said, it seems to me Cubans are remarkable over-achievers. For such a tiny island nation, they’ve contributed much in sports, education, medicine and even in politics, than their numbers would ever suggest. It’s seems strange we have no diplomatic relations with Cuba because they’re communist yet our nation has full relations with the biggest communist country in the world, China. Maybe that’s because they own all our debt?

Perhaps a bit too soap-opera like, “Cane” is nonetheless flashy, fast-paced and Smits is compelling. It airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Jack Neworth also writes “Laughing Matters” which appears in this newspaper every Friday. He can be reached at Jackneworth2003@aol.com.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/092807-18_01.jpg)

CBS POWER COUPLE: Paola Turbay (center) aptly plays the role of Isabel. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092807.pdf?ref=smdp.com)