A Satisfying True Crime Collection
SPOILER ALERT: The next piece incorporates plot particulars from the primary two episodes of “Smoke,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
Three years in the past, crime author Dennis Lehane and actor Taron Egerton teamed up for “Black Hen,” an Apple TV+ collection that tailored the true story of undercover informant James Keene right into a disturbing-yet-tender tackle masculinity. “Black Hen” was well-received, incomes essential reward and a trio of Emmy appearing nominations, together with a posthumous nod for Ray Liotta as Keene’s father. However whereas Egerton was glorious as a profession legal introduced face-to-face with the ugly excessive of his personal unquestioned machismo, the showier function went to Paul Walter Hauser, who performed a serial killer slowly goaded right into a confession and finally took dwelling the trophy for excellent supporting actor.
Egerton and Lehane have now reunited for “Smoke,” one other true crime present that explores legal psychology with an eerie environment and a star-studded forged. Because the title suggests, “Smoke” shifts Lehane’s focus to the world of arson, spinning a nine-episode yarn about an arson investigator (Egerton) and a police detective (Jurnee Smollett) who pair as much as catch a few firebugs within the Pacific Northwest. The fictional metropolis of Umberland, a sort of Seattle surrogate with cutesy neighborhood names like “Trolleytown,” is performed by the actual metropolis of Vancouver, a frequent filming hub whose lush forests are recast right here as harmful gas.
“Smoke” is intriguing sufficient all through the primary couple episodes. Egerton’s Dave Gudsen is a former firefighter and aspiring novelist, permitting Lehane to softly poke enjoyable at tropes (skinny feminine characters, clunky prose) rife in his chosen discipline. Smollett’s Michelle Calderon is a steely, centered presence, if predictably saddled with each a fire-related trauma and an ill-advised affair along with her boss, police captain Steven Burke (Rafe Spall). But it surely’s a twist on the finish of the second episode that kicks “Smoke” into excessive gear and divulges what the present is absolutely as much as.
I’ve included a spoiler alert on the prime of this evaluation, and I’ll reiterate the identical sentiment right here. The reveal in query is extra of a delayed premise than a late-breaking rug pull, and with the primary two components of the nine-episode season freely obtainable to stream, it’s technically honest recreation to debate. (A cursory Google of the “Firebug” podcast already reveals the idea that clearly drew Lehane to the fabric.) The twist can be a pleasant shock to expertise within the second, so I’ll permit readers to determine for themselves simply how a lot they’d prefer to know moving into. Prepared? Proceed!
“Smoke” follows one of many two arsonists in Dave and Michelle’s sights from the beginning: Freddy (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine), a rooster store fry prepare dinner whose gradual, halting speech and urge to set the houses of seemingly completely satisfied strangers on hearth seem to stem from some sort of psychological incapacity. (Freddy’s incendiary machine of alternative is a milk jug stuffed with oil — not precisely refined stuff.) However whereas Freddy will get his personal storyline about an try to raised himself that goes disastrously awry, the opposite arsonist stays nameless past an odd proclivity for the potato chip aisle of assorted grocery shops. Till, that’s, Dave will get in a disturbing argument along with his spouse and stepson. He leaves the home, and “Smoke” follows him right into a grocery store, feigning a limp and masking himself with a hood and sun shades.
This growth turns “Smoke” into an exhilarating cat-and-mouse recreation, one which doesn’t insult Michelle’s intelligence by maintaining her in the dead of night for much longer than the viewers. “Smoke” replicates in miniature the horror felt by folks like Dave’s boss Harvey (Greg Kinnear in full, resplendent Dad Mode), who initially understands him as a hero, then shortly strikes on to the satisfying work of entrapping him. Crucially, the early unveiling unlocks the complete depth of Egerton’s masterfully unnerving efficiency. The true model of Dave is equal components pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to completely cross himself as a traditional particular person. Egerton can simply undertaking confidence and affability, however as soon as Dave is absolutely unmasked, the function of “arson investigator who’s additionally an arsonist” proves simply as wealthy as Hauser’s nakedly misogynist id in “Black Hen.” Mwine, too, is implausible; you’re feeling for lonely, hapless Freddy at the same time as watching him makes you wish to crawl out of your pores and skin.
“Smoke” has a humorousness that helps counter the creep issue. The more and more apparent awfulness of Dave’s ebook provides Smollett some nice response work amid all Michelle’s pained dedication. John Leguizamo doesn’t seem as Dave’s disgruntled ex-partner till midway by way of the season, however it’s well worth the watch for an unabashed slimeball who’s turned to producing pornography with out a badge to present him objective. Much less ridiculous, however nonetheless welcome, is the late arrival of Anna “Amy from ‘Veep’” Chlumsky as one among Michelle’s detective colleagues. With behind-the-scenes involvement from former HBO higher-ups, Kary Antholis (additionally the unique host of “Firebug”) and Richard Plepler, each government producers, “Smoke” is a very open assertion of Apple’s intent to grow to be a brand new go-to premium outlet. Not solely is the forged packed to the gills; the theme track is carried out by none aside from Radiohead singer Thom Yorke, like Mick Jagger moonlighting because the voice of fellow Apple present “Sluggish Horses.”
With half as many episodes as “Black Hen,” “Smoke” is probably unsurprisingly much less tight, and begins to spiral out into absurdity within the season’s dwelling stretch. Freddy strays a bit too near the stereotype of a mystic savant; Michelle makes some rash and drastic choices that beggar perception. Nonetheless, “Smoke” as a complete — and particularly as a car for Egerton — is deeply satisfying, a quick and clear burn that leaves little behind.
The primary two episodes of “Smoke” at the moment are streaming on Apple TV+, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on Fridays.