Episode 4 of "Smoke" kicks off with Detective David Gudsen delivering an unorthodox presentation on arson, captivating the attention of all the officers present, including Calderone, who observes from the rear. The discourse takes an unconventional turn as Dave asserts that chaos triumphs over order every time, punctuating his point by initiating a couple of controlled blazes.
Post-presentation, Calderone sets off to visit her brother, Benji, who is entangled in organizing underground cockfights. He apologizes for his recent outburst and reveals that he has been sober for two whole days. The sibling bond seems to be mending, and their conversation takes a constructive turn.
Inspired by her surroundings, Michelle Calderone conjures up a brilliant idea stemming from the bird tags. She proposes marking the tags and placing them in numerically ordered bags, with a clerk jotting down the numbers as they work. Upon discovering a tag linked to the arsonist, they can cross-reference it with CCTV footage and tally the number of customers. Englehart, too, is swayed by her ingenuity.
Meanwhile, the tension between Emmett and Dave lingers in the air, with Ashley attempting to defend her partner. Emmett remains unconvinced, suspecting Dave's duplicity. Gudsen, avoiding his home after their heated altercation, finds solace in sharing drinks with Calderone in the office.
Their conversation delves into the disparate life paths bestowed upon individuals and the twists and turns that fate brings. Dave opens his heart, confessing that his mother disappeared when he was just 15. Despite the police search and a community effort, she abandoned them for a fresh start with a substitute teacher. Instead of wallowing in pity, Gudsen chose to adopt a fake narrative of her demise and moved forward. With an arson conference in Leighton, Dave will be absent from town for the weekend.
When he eventually returns home and encounters Emmett the next morning, Dave attempts a circuitous apology. Ashley offers a gesture of goodwill, suggesting he pick up his stepson from practice after school. Unfortunately, Gudsen loses track of time and inadvertently ends up at the office, where he bumps into Michelle, setting the stage for another unexpected encounter.
As for Calderone, she stumbles upon a stash of aged business cards tucked away in her desk, bearing the name of an agent known as Ezra Esposito. This individual was once Dave's collaborator, a fact unearthed only after her arrival. The pertinent files remain sealed tight, leaving no immediate avenue for exploration. Michelle, ever the generous soul, offers Emmett a ride back home, an act that inadvertently proves fortuitous as it presents her with a pivotal lead. Emmett reveals that "Dave Gudsen is a name unfamiliar to all," and likewise, he harbors no acquaintance with the enigmatic Esposito. Driven by curiosity, Michelle decides to charm Englehart into spilling the beans on Esposito. It transpires that Esposito once shot himself in the foot and subsequently sued the department, prompting the authorities to hush it up by bestowing upon him a full retirement package. However, Esposito grew increasingly convinced that Gudsen was their arsonist, fueling his obsession.
Meanwhile, chaos ensues within the confines of the house as Dave and Ashley find themselves in the throes of a fierce altercation. Dave urges Emmett to "man up," a sentiment that sends Ashley into a rage. She savagely criticizes his uninspired, mundane novel, leaving Dave utterly taken aback.
Elsewhere, Freddy makes an appearance at Brenda's salon, seeking a transformation to avoid recognition. He requests a change in his hairstyle but declines Brenda's suggestion to return after 5. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands, hacking away at his hair at home. Armed with an assortment of jugs, Freddy sets his sights on hitting the town with renewed vigor.
Yet, it is Gudsen who strikes out first, encountering a woman at the store who soon finds herself engaging in a flirtatious exchange with him. As if poised to reignite his pyromaniac tendencies, Gudsen appears ready to torch the chips once more. However, this time, the scenario takes a different turn. Though the urge to burn still lingers within him, Gudsen introduces this woman to a novel experience – "streaking." He binds her, drizzles oil over her abdomen, and ignites it, transforming their encounter into a scene of sheer terror and chaos.
He assures her that it will leave no trace of scars behind, and once the task is done, he yearns for her to brandish the flame upon him once more. He gives a silent nod of agreement, and the scene comes to a close.
