Smoke begins with the recognizable shape of a crime drama: an arson investigator and a detective pursuing fires in a small Pacific Northwest town. Its more distinctive promise lies in what the investigation draws out about the people who set fires—and the unsettling gap between how someone sees himself and what he has done.
What is Smoke about?
Created by Dennis Lehane, Smoke pairs Taron Egerton as arson investigator Dave Gudsen with Jurnee Smollett as detective Michelle Calderone. They investigate serial arson in Umberland, a fictional Pacific Northwest town. The season runs nine episodes, according to the Associated Press.
The series is inspired by the case of John Leonard Orr and the 2021 true-crime podcast Firebug. That is a point of departure, not a claim that the show is a documentary retelling: Umberland and the series’ characters and plot are fictionalized. The Associated Press account of the series and its inspiration provides the basis for that distinction.
What makes the premise more than a standard investigation?
The setup gives the show a familiar procedural frame, but its subject gives that frame a darker psychological charge. The fires are not simply clues to solve; the story is interested in the firebugs behind them and in the ways a person can rationalize or disguise his own actions. Lehane’s comments about Orr, reported by the Associated Press, point to that concern: he was struck by the idea of an arsonist writing about what a great guy he was, then using fires he set as models for the fires in his book.
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#1 Best Overall
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Fire itself also offers a potent source of tension. Lehane has said he is fascinated by the loss of control when someone is trapped in a burning building and must depend on the fire’s whims. That perspective suggests why the subject can carry more weight than a conventional clue-driven case: fire is both a crime to investigate and a force that makes people vulnerable.
Does the turn make the series more compelling?
The premise’s strongest distinction is its focus on the psychology of arson and self-deception. That gives Smoke a more unsettling center than the basic pairing of investigator and detective might initially suggest. But the available facts about the premise do not establish how consistently the episodes develop that idea, how the partnership plays out, or whether the season’s resolution earns its build. Those are the questions that determine whether the shift from familiar cop drama to psychological crime story fully pays off.
Rank #2
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Cast and where to watch
Apple’s trailer announcement also lists Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo among the cast, and notes a new song by Thom Yorke. Apple’s catalog lists Smoke on Apple TV; availability can vary by territory and over time.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Apple TV Press: Smoke title page
- Apple TV Press: trailer announcement and cast
- Apple TV catalog: Smoke
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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