The story begins with a carefully planned series of arsons. The potato chip shelves in a suburban supermarket suddenly caught fire; as fire trucks rushed to the scene with full crews, the real target—a chemical plant—erupted in a violent explosion, its flames painting the night sky white. This "distraction" arson not only reveals the perpetrator’s precise calculation of the fire department’s operations but also, through the contrast between the flammable nature of self-igniting potato chips and the scale of the chemical plant explosion, hints at the arsonist’s mastery of incendiary techniques and the escalation of their criminal hierarchy.
Key Clues: The Arsonist’s "Code"
During the investigation, two sets of critical evidence uncover the case’s complexity:
Delayed Arson Device: At the supermarket fire scene, investigators find charred rubber bands and cigarette residues. Through simulation experiments, they confirm the arsonist used a "cigarette-and-match" combination—matches were wrapped around a cigarette and secured with a rubber band; once lit, the cigarette’s slow burn delayed the match’s ignition, ultimately setting flammable materials ablaze. This method reflects the perpetrator’s precision in time control and suggests a possible background in basic chemistry.
Traces of Gasoline and Cooking Oil Mixture: Residues of a blend of gasoline and frying oil at the chemical plant explosion site point to another arsonist skilled in using gasoline barrels. The mixture not only intensified the fire but also created a unique burn pattern, serving as a key marker to distinguish between different arsonists.
The "Coincidence" in Firefighters’ Schedules: Investigations reveal that during all arson incidents, a firefighter was absent from duty. This unusual record abruptly shifts the investigation’s focus to the interior of the fire department, implying the perpetrator might have professional ties or access to internal information.
Peripheral Figures: "Losers" Abandoned by Society
Freddie: A fast-food chef who had long been bullied by colleagues and trapped in life’s pressures. His bedroom, plastered with clippings of fire news, his hobby of collecting fire truck models, and his "missing" records during arson times made him a prime suspect. By the end of the episode, Freddie is confirmed as the "milk bucket" arsonist using gasoline barrels; his morbid pleasure in setting fires and jealousy toward others’ happy lives reflect the psychological distortion of those at the bottom of society.
Archie and Scotty: Two firefighters with frequent absences during the arson incidents. While Scotty’s "false" suspicion is cleared, Archie’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation and an arsenal in a hidden bunker hint at his potential involvement in another case.
Suspense and Foreshadowing
The episode closes with multiple unresolved questions:
The True Identity of the Supermarket Arsonist: The face of the limping man in surveillance footage remains unseen, and investigations suggest he may have deeper ties to the fire department. Was the rubber band clue he deliberately left at the supermarket a provocation or a distraction?
Dave’s Dual Identity: Dave, the investigator, is writing a novel whose protagonist is an investigator who solves cases by day and sets fires by night. This overlap between fiction and reality hints that Dave may harbor undisclosed secrets. The line in his manuscript—"Fire is the ultimate equality that erases class"—aligns strikingly with the psychological profile of the real arsonist.
The Truth Behind Michelle’s Transfer: The female detective Michelle was demoted over a scandal involving an affair with her superior, but investigations reveal her transfer timeline coincides eerily with the outbreak of the arson cases. The mysterious USB drive she carries and her frequently deleted call records suggest her demotion might be part of a carefully plotted scheme.
Social Metaphors and Visual Style
The series explores the contrast between "control" and "powerlessness" through arson cases. The arsonist reduces others’ lives to ashes, yet this act is, in essence, a release of their own powerlessness to change their fate. The production team uses extensive night scenes, dim yellow lighting, and gray filters to create an oppressive "smoldering" atmosphere, metaphorizing the inextinguishable malice within human nature. The flames of the chemical plant explosion and the smoke from the supermarket fire form a visual contrast, echoing the title Smoke while symbolizing the differing motives behind the arsonists—revenge for one, venting for the other.
Through tight storytelling and multi-layered case setup, the first episode successfully builds a suspenseful framework, laying rich groundwork for the case’s resolution in subsequent episodes. As the investigation inches closer to the truth, viewers are forced to confront a harsh reality: the conspiracy behind the arson cases is far more complex and dangerous than imagined.