Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Smoke episodes 1 and 2!One major scene inSmokeepisode 1 made me horrified by a character I had been rooting for after learning the context behind the alarming moment. The newApple TV+ original seriesfollowsarson investigator Dave Gudsen and Detective Michelle Calderon as they hunt for two serial arsonistson the West Coast. The seriesstars Taron Egertonas the lead character, who is seemingly intent on uncovering the identities of both culprits and bringing them to justice. His dynamic with Jurnee Smollett’s Michell seemingly makes them a perfect pair to tackle the case.
However,Smokeepisode 2 endswith one of their arson suspects, a man with a fake limp, committing another attack against a supermarket. He does what he’s known for the most, setting a fire in the potato chip isle of the store. However,the final moments of the episode reveal the arsonist is none other than Dave, who is also leading the investigation into himself. This shocking revelation puts the first two episodes into a new context, especially when it comes to one horrifying moment in the premiere that made me alarmed that I’d been rooting for him.
Smoke Episode 1’s Craft Store Fire Showed The Real Horrors Of Arson
The Human Cost Of Arsonists' Fires Is A Core Theme Of The Show
Although episode 1 hadn’t established that Dave was the arsonist with the limp yet, it did emphasize his mode of operations when it came to how he started his fires.This included typically targeting supermarkets, with a penchant for burning potato chip isles by using incendiary devices akin to cigarettes. However, these weren’t the only locations he would target, as he seemingly has no problem starting fires in different types of stores. In the premiere, he targets a craft store, starting a fire in a bin of foam pool noodles.
During the fire, the sequence follows a woman who gets trapped and desperately tries to escape the burning building. While she’s able to make it out alive, it’s not without sustaining serious burn injuries. This includesa disturbing scene that shows the skin on her arm slowly peel offand fall to the ground, horrifying her in the process. Thecrime drama TV showfocuses on cases of arson, but this scene in particular emphasizes what little care for human life arsonists like Dave have while committing their crimes.
Taron Egerton’s Dave Being The Arsonist Puts The Fire In A New Perspective
The Show’s Protagonist Doesn’t Care Who Gets Hurt While Committing His Crimes
At first,it was easy to root for Dave because it seemed like he was truly trying to put away the arsonistsresponsible for the fires happening along the West Coast. He even went as far as helping with Michelle’s investigation into firefighters whose absences align with the dates of certain fires. However, the revelation that he’s one of the serial arsonists puts things into a different perspective. He’s been tricking othercharacters inSmokeinto thinking he’s trying to solve the case, when, in reality, he’s heading an investigation he hopes to turn away from himself.
Despite originally being on his side, the revelation that he’s covering up the pain he’s caused makes his actions all the more horrifying.
Learning Dave was the real culprit behind the fires makes the human cost of what he’s been doing even more disturbing. The scene in episode 1 with the woman’s skin peeling off is a direct result of his actions. It’s later shown in episode 2 through the victims of Freddy’s house fire that there’s a tangible tragedy involved with every arson attack,meaning Dave knows he’s hurting people with his arson attacks.Despite originally being on his side, the revelation that he’s covering up the pain he’s caused makes his actions all the more horrifying.
The woman’s struggle and pain in episode 1 during the craft store firemakes Dave’s actions unforgivable, as he’s knowingly causing pain to others with his arson attacks. His dedication to the investigation being a cover for his own actions makes this all the more chilling, since he has plenty of ways to cover up taking accountability for the levels of pain he’s caused. With his fires having already caused such immense levels of pain for people, it remains to be seen just how much more he’ll inflict as the series continues.
