Episode 5 of "Smoke" kicks off with Gudsen poised to embark on his Arson Conference, nestled in a slumber on the couch when Captain Burke arrives unexpectedly, intended for a visit with Englehart. Burke's presence rouses Gudsen from his slumbers, and in his endorsement of Calderone, labels himself a "stalwart supporter of the department." However, the true intent of his visit swiftly unfolds as a cunning maneuver to uncover intel on Gudsen's former partner, Ezra Esposito.
Armed with the gathered intelligence, Burke dials Calderone and informs her of the address, providing her with a solid lead. Just as she prepares to depart, Emmett inserts himself into the narrative, inquiring about his stepfather. Having devoured Gudsen's novel, his suspicions peak as he accuses Michelle of having an affair with Gudsen. Repelled by the accusation, Michelle finds herself intrigued when Emmett reveals he possesses the manuscript and promptly forwards it to her. Though an audio version exists, Gudsen's prose leaves much to be desired, casting doubts on its Audible appeal!
Oblivious to these developments, Gudsen sets off for his conference, leaving Michelle to confront Ezra. It transpires that Gudsen framed Ezra and orchestrated his dismissal due to his proximity to uncovering the truth. "I'm aware he's an arsonist, and so are you," Ezra asserts. He elaborates on Gudsen's eerie presence at crime scenes, his uncanny talent for locating minute incendiary devices—a needle in a haystack—a staggering 17 times across different arson sites. Realizing his scheme was on the brink of exposure, Gudsen rid himself of Ezra.
Meanwhile, Freddie arrives at work only to discover an unwelcome change: a new manager named Dev has taken the reigns. He begins to spiral into discontent, resentful of the opportunity denied him and gearing up for a significant blaze that very night. On the subject of dissatisfaction, Gudsen's usual fire-related stunt at a conference takes an awkward turn. One officer challenges Gudsen's methods, publicly humiliating him. Gudsen, however, brushes it off with a forced grin and shifts his focus to Reba, a magnetic middle-aged woman at the nearby bar. Inevitably, they find themselves entangled in the sheets, resonating with the notion of drifting aimlessly through life while feigning contentment. Unfortunately, Gudsen encounters a slight impediment in the bedroom, prompting Reba to call him out. Still haunted by his botched presentation, she senses his distraction. It is here that a surprising revelation unfolds: Reba is Gudsen's ex-wife, well-versed in the fragility of his ego.
After a night of indulgent drinking, Ezra invites Michelle over to his place and shares a disturbing video of his "initiation" with Gudsen. The footage, depicting Ezra setting fire to the exterior of a caravan despite being assured it was unoccupied, reveals dogs barking inside. Yet, this is not the sole arson incident of the week. Freddie resumes his quest, albeit with a hiccup. In his haste, he accidentally shatters a jug, spilling its contents all over a park before clumsily securing another.
Freddie's target this time: a white couple's residence in Crawford. He arrives and ignites their house using six jugs, displaying a more daring modus operandi. Englehart phones Gudsen, insisting he address the situation. Upon scanning the online report, Gudsen's grin widens as he realizes their arsonist has escalated their game. He comprehends that this personal touch signifies a deeply vengeful motive.
The next morning, Michelle departs after ensuring Ezra's well-being, to which he responds with a qualified okay, acknowledging the chaos that permeates his life. This interaction subtly illustrates a potential future for Michelle should she allow Gudsen to influence her thoughts.
Calderone perseveres through Gudsen's tome, his interest piqued whenever vital information about the electrical blazes surfaces. The scene then shifts back to Gudsen, who embarks on an unabashed karaoke spree as he cruises back to town in his vehicle. Neglecting the road ahead, he ends up colliding with the side of another car with a bang. Neither vehicle appears in good shape, and the episode concludes on a knife-edge, with everything left hanging precariously in the balance.
