Apple's New Show Tells the Wild Story of a Real-Life Serial Arsonist. It's Completely Fascinating.
Briefly

Smoke, a crime drama series starring Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett, sets itself apart by focusing on the character dynamics surrounding arson investigations. The story revolves around arson investigator Dave Gudsen, who, along with police detective Michelle, searches for elusive arsonists plaguing their city, Umberland. The narrative subtly portrays Dave's domestic issues and Michelle's troubled past, building a complex backdrop against a seemingly ordinary procedural. Despite starting with generic crime fiction tropes, the show invites viewers to delve deeper into its character-driven plotlines by the end of its second episode.
Smoke starts with a handsome hero and tough partner hunting elusive arsonists, revealing how crime fiction rarely focuses on arson's cowardly, petty motivations.
The narrative begins with compelling images of fire, but fails to convey the true chaos and danger arson brings, underscoring fire's magnificence versus the banality of arson.
Dave Gudsen's personal struggles with family connections and Michelle's complicated past create a dynamic character drama that transcends typical procedural expectations in the crime genre.
The series, by Dennis Lehane, intends to offer a more profound character exploration rather than a straightforward, technical crime investigation, misdirecting expectations in the opening episodes.
Read at Slate Magazine
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