Episode 1 of "Smoke" kicks off with Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter now haunted by shadows of his past, narrating the unforgiving nature of fire—an element that knows no discrimination, ruthlessly tearing through lives and possessions alike. Gudsen's psyche is ravaged by recurring nightmares stemming from a catastrophic housefire rescue mission that went terribly awry. During this harrowing ordeal, he found himself staring into the abyss, ultimately escaping the inferno's clutches only by dashing towards a mirror—an image that continues to haunt his dreams.
Gudsen shares his life with his girlfriend, Ashley, amidst a fragile equilibrium. They tread lightly around each other, their relationship further complicated by the presence of Emmett, a teenager who serves as Gudsen's stepson but with whom he lacks a strong bond. The dynamics within their home are tense, to say the least.
In his professional capacity as an Arson Investigator, Gudsen arrives at his office to find Detective Michelle Calderone awaiting him. Dispatched by Metro PD, Calderone has been assigned to lend her expertise amidst the burgeoning crisis: two serial arsonists are loose in the city. With no substantial leads in over a year, the department is at a standstill. Though unfamiliar with the intricacies of arson, Calderone brings a wealth of knowledge in crime scene analysis, having previously specialized in robbery—a detail that surfaces later. Gudsen suspects her true motive might be career advancement, using this assignment as a networking opportunity.
Venturing into the field, Gudsen elucidates the four classifications of fire: natural, accidental, undetermined, and incendiary. Both serial arsonists appear to favor the latter, deploying incendiary devices with sinister precision. The first perpetrator, nicknamed for his modus operandi, "D&C" (Divide and Conquer), has a peculiar habit. He ignites one fire, often in the potato chip aisle of shops, drawing out the fire department with strategically placed time delays to evade detection, ensuring his reign of terror continues unchecked.
This individual clearly had an intimate understanding of how to navigate surveillance blind spots with ease. From the brief CCTV footage captured, he was seen donning a waterproof jacket and a baseball cap devoid of any logos. His gait revealed a slight limp in his right leg, while his complexion appeared pale. Gudsen speculated that he might be a retired firefighter. Another arsonist, nicknamed "Milkshake Man," haunted Trolley Town by night, armed with a gasoline jug, and crept under doors to set fires stealthily. Gudsen elaborated, painting a picture of the incomparable helplessness and despair one feels when trapped in a blazing inferno. Speaking of despair, it is imperative to shift our focus to an overlooked and overworked fast-food employee, Freddy Fasano. A solitary figure leading a reclusive life, Freddy finds solace in pornographic content and alcohol abuse. Evidently, Freddy is deeply disillusioned with life, making him a plausible candidate among our arsonists. More on him in the segments to come!
Regarding Michelle Calderone, her past is shrouded in quite a dark cloud. It transpires that she was entangled in an illicit affair with a married man named Steven Burke, who just so happens to be her superior officer within the department. Though his name may ring no bells, their professional proximity complicates matters further. Following one of their trysts, Steven confesses that he has ended his marriage and severed ties with his children to be with her. However, Michelle, not one prone to commitment, promptly distances herself, insisting he didn't have to go to such lengths for her.
Enraged, Steven vows to turn her life into an endless series of losses. This revelation sheds light on why she has been "reassigned" to the arson division in a remote corner of nowhere to tackle these cases.
Before long, another arson incident lands squarely in their lap. A store is torched, leaving a scene of utter devastation. Following the investigation, Dave Gudsen identifies the points of origin – the fire was ignited in three locations using lit cigarettes connected to a timer.
The department is under immense pressure, and Harvey Englehart, the department head, makes it clear that if they fail to apprehend one or both of the arsonists, not only will he face termination, but he'll also ensure Dave Gudsen meets the same fate.
With the stakes raised, the team swings into action. Calderone immediately dismisses the notion that their arsonist is a disinterested dummy, asserting that it could very well be an active firefighter. Though Gudsen has hit a wall in his inquiries, Calderone believes they can leverage her credentials to pressure the authorities into opening up the relevant files.
As they painstakingly combed through the files, one by one, Dave and Michelle zeroed in on a figure named Arch Stanton. His attendance record was far from exemplary, yet his connections—a brother on the city council and a sister serving as the comptroller—granted him an impeccable alibi. When confronted about his frequent absences, Arch responded with a prickly demeanor, his defenses instantaneously raised. He even took a swipe at Michelle, hinting she was merely a diversity hire and questioning her true intentions. Regrettably, their conversation with him yielded no breakthroughs.
Scotty Bucyk's name also emerged prominently, as he too had been absent on the days of the arson attacks. Dave and Michelle cross-examined him as well, only to discover that he couldn't possibly be the culprit. An engineer by profession, Scotty had legitimate reasons for his absences, as he was required to transport personnel to the fire sites. Calderone's attempt to pinpoint him as the arsonist ended in embarrassment, prompting the duo to redirect their focus towards the Trolley Town arsonist.
Dave's deduction led him to believe that the perpetrator might be a fast-food worker, and indeed, their suspicions settled on Freddy. He began staking out various eateries, searching for his next target, ultimately zeroing in on those who exuded the utmost joy in life. For Freddy, fire served as his "happy place," a cathartic, euphoric escape from the monotony of his existence. He marveled at the falling ashes and flames whenever he ignited these housefires, deriving a strange sense of fulfillment from watching the houses burn from afar.
Later that evening, Michelle was surprised to find Steven outside her residence. Now a captain, he teased her gently, but she stood her ground, matching his wit for wit. However, his attire—an unmarked hat and a hoodie—raised an eyebrow. Could this captain be the other arsonist they were seeking?
