Abhiroop Das
The season finale of ‘Smoke,’ titled ‘Mirror Mirror,’ introduces a flurry of emotions all brought forth by a twist that rewires the entire story. While that may be the case, there are still cases to solve, and the death of Steven Burk means that his task force, comprising entirely of volunteers, is no longer fit to conduct the investigation. In light of this, a new character is introduced to the narrative in the form of Captain Pearson. Bringing in her own flavor to the crime scene, the officer immediately takes control of the situation and puts her forces to good use. In a show about catching arsonists, the arson investigator, Dave Gudsen, winds up being the biggest threat, and it is up to Captain Pearson to bring him to justice. However, there is more to the truth, and the subsequent deep dive into the details has the potential to disrupt everything. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Captain Pearson Has a Personal Stake in the Case Against Dave Gudsen
Captain Pearson is introduced in the season finale of ‘Smoke’ as a member of the Columbia Police Department. She is the lead investigator on the murder-arson case that took Captain Steven Burk’s life, and to that end, she also becomes his successor in leading the case against Dave Gudsen. Initially, her character appears to be cold and dismissive of others’ perspectives, given that she rejects Ezra’s assertion that the protagonist could not have committed the arson. However, we later see that she is astute enough to already take that possibility into account, looking into Steven’s past links despite the mounting evidence against Dave. Pearson’s interest in the case goes beyond the professional realm, as it is revealed that she was close friends with Steven at one point and even respected him as the smartest cop she ever knew.
Although Pearson’s dynamic is not shown on-screen, her words of fury about what she would do to the person responsible for his murder say enough. However, she also has an eccentric streak. During her argument with Ezra, which quickly devolved into a game of hurling insults, Ezra suggests that back when she was Sergeant, Pearson had appeared in a sexual video that was taped behind Ronnie’s Road House. Ezra goes a step further, mocking her with her supposed safe word, “Fräulein,” which means a young, unmarried girl in German. While the officer rushes him out of the scene, she does not refuse the claims either, and this gives insight into the unique personality that resides inside her tough exterior. This does not distract from her skill as a police officer, sniffing out the finer details of the case with near-perfect accuracy once all the information is at her hand.
When Michelle arrests Dave, it’s for both his attack on her and his fingerprints, which are found at Steven Burk’s house. This makes him the clear suspect in Pearson’s eyes, and yet she chooses to let Michelle handle the interrogation, owing to their proximity. Pearson’s positioning in the following sequence is important, as she observes everything through the one-way glass, framing herself in the middle of both Dave and his former partner. This is crucial because her future role can entail investigating not just him, but also Michelle, given that she is the person who actually committed the murder, and there is possibly a trail of evidence pointing towards her. As one of the only people on the case with a genuine interest in solving it, Pearson stands out as a narrative anchor to keep track of the ever-expanding web of lies that is spun in ‘Smoke.’
Amy Carlson Puts Her Experience in Crime Dramas to Use as Captain Pearson
Even with a limited screentime, Captain Pearson steals the show with her dominating presence and heartfelt reasons for being involved in the investigation. Actor Amy Carlson steps into the role and makes it her own, adding her own research and experience into the mix to create a perfect performance. In an interview with Parade, Carlson revealed that she talked to an actual arson investigator, her friend Dianna Taylor, to learn the intricacies of the profession and how it might inform her character. “And we had several long conversations about approaching arson,” Carlson exclusively tells Parade. “Her passion and enthusiasm for investigating fires was infectious. I found that the most important guide into her psyche was her drive to discover the truth, as well as her loyalty and dedication to uncover it above all else,” she stated.
In the interview, Carlson also expressed her deep insights into the character, shedding light on how many layers were added in such a short time. She stated, “One of the characteristics of the captain that I found most important to capture is her absolutely zero level of tolerance for any B.S. She smells it like blood in the water and has a visceral reaction to it. I love that Captain Pearson has a real Achilles’ heel and some delicious flaws, and I can’t wait to see how it comes back to bite her.” Carlson is not new to crime dramas; in fact, her most popular role is that of Linda Reagan, a nurse in the police force in ‘Blue Birds,’ and this gave her the skillset required to wield the character of Pearson with expertise. Additionally, the actor has also starred in shows such as ‘Law & Order: Trial by Jury,’ ‘Third Watch,’ and ‘The Society.’
Read More: Smoke Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Whom Does Dave See in the Mirror?
