Abhiroop Das
The first season of Apple TV+’s Smoke’ ends with Dave and Michelle preparing themselves for a long showdown, which is set to flip the narrative on its head many times over. In the finale, Michelle arrests the protagonist after narrowly escaping death in a forest fire. Following this, Dave sits down with his former partner on the interrogation table, and the gruelling exchange culminates in Dave finally seeing his true visage in the mirror, that of an overweight and balding man, a far cry from the ideal self-image he imposes upon himself and the audience. The story is still not over, and creator Dennis Lehane has expressed his desire for the show to have a three-season run, with a clear ending in his mind. While Apple TV+ has not greenlit the show for a sequel as of writing, even in the best-case scenario, the second season can be expected no sooner than 2027. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Smoke Season 2 is Likely to Focus on Dave’s Arrest
While the first season ends with many of its cards on the table, it does not resolve most of its core plot threads. This appears to be an intentional decision on the creators’ part to set up how the story might proceed, with Dave and Michelle’s complicated dynamic at the heart of it. As such, two investigations are likely to run in parallel for the possible sequel, repeating the narrative structure. The first mystery is about Dave’s incrimination as the D&C arsonist and the murderer of Captain Steven Burk. The other looming question is whether Michelle, the real culprit in Steven’s case, is actually caught. Dave has already displayed his cunning by narrowly avoiding all accusations thrown at him, and there is always the threat of him finding Michelle’s weakness and exploiting it for his own gain. Given that they are both criminals, the conflict is firmly in the gray and oozing with dramatic potential.
Michelle’s mother is introduced at the very beginning of the show, and, episode by episode, we build up to her eventual release from prison. As such, it is likely that the character will make an appearance if the show gets a second season. Michelle has consistently shown her displeasure at this development, owing to the trauma her mother inflicted on her when she was a child. It is possible that we will get a full account of that tragedy from both perspectives, which also opens the floor to a mother-daughter conflict. Chief of the Umberland Fire Department, Harvey Englehart, has his share of skeletons in the closet, too. We learn in episode 7 that he has been secretly stealing money from the department, and ironically, it is Dave who knows about it. Although Dave tries to exploit this fact in the season finale, Harvey refuses to back down. It is possible that Harvey will have to pay for his sins in the sequel.
On top of the larger storylines, the finale of ‘Smoke’ also introduces a new, unique case of arson, which remains unresolved after the episode ends. Dave and Michelle learn that a fire accident in a local laboratory was caused by a hacker remotely disabling the facility’s temperature controls, causing the gases to catch fire. The duo expresses its shock at the fact that the fire could be set from anywhere, but a tiny detail about the lower floor of the building being used by graphic designers might be the key to solving the case. With Dave out of the picture, Michelle might step into the role of chief arson investigator, with Ezra Esposito potentially making a triumphant return to service as well. Together, they can take on the new batch of arson cases for the potential second season, continuing the trend of enriching the main narrative with episodic beats.
Smoke Season 2 Can Have its Characters Confront Their Pasts
The season finale of ‘Smoke’ is primarily a battle for control between its two main characters, Dave and Michelle. As such, their respective arcs see the most significant changes. In the end, Dave appears to have made peace with his true appearance, but in his own complex way, continues to deny the idea that he is anything but heroic. This is countered by Michelle, who speaks to his true self and smiles back at him. This ambiguous ending points to the fact that both characters are deep into their transformative journeys, which are bound to collide once again. While Dave has to learn to be self-critical and come to terms with his negative side, Michelle has to process her actions and how her mother’s influence might have shaped, or rather, corrupted her psyche.
Harvey has already confessed to his past mistakes to his daughter, which puts him on the track to self-improvement. However, things are not as simple as his debt to the department totals nearly $300,00, and he will likely have to take many drastic steps to correct his course this late into the game. Things are looking forward for Ezra Esposito and Dawn Hudsen as Dave’s arrest means that their reputation in their respective fields is likely to skyrocket. Ezra might return to the fire department and resume his services as an investigator, while Dawn has a chance to convert Dave’s story into a novel of her own and have it published as part of the team’s deal with a literary agency. The protagonist’s exit from the public sphere also means that Ashley and Emmett are safe at last, though how they deal with this family crisis remains to be seen.
Smoke Season 2 Will Likely Move Forward With the Original Cast
As ‘Smoke’ still has ample plot points to address, it is unlikely that the cast will undergo many changes in case the sequel happens. Actors Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo can be expected to reprise their roles as Dave Gudsen, Michelle Calderon, Harvey Englehart, and Ezra Esposito, respectively. Actors Anna Chlumsky and Mishka Thébaud, who essay Dawn Hudsen and Benji Calderon, respectively, are likely to have a more prominent role in the narrative as well, given how they are both key to resolving some of the finale’s most pressing plot points. Actor Amy Carlson plays the astute and grieving Captain Pearson, who might play a big part in season 2 as the head of the investigation into Steven’s murder. Thus, the cast can expect a new weight distribution going forward with a focus on the supporting cast.
Actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine stole the spotlight in season 1 with his heartwrenching portrayal of Freddy Fasano. However, given the character’s death in episode 7 of the show, the actor is unlikely to step into the role again. However, Freddy has a very intense dynamic with Dave, and it is possible that the character will continue to haunt the protagonist through hallucinations, marking a potential reentry for Mwine. The same can be said for actor Rafe Spall, whose character, Steven Burk, dies in the penultimate episode, but reappears as a hallucination speaking directly to Michelle in the finale. Both actors are masters of their craft, and their value to the show is immense; as such, a return is always on the table. The characters of Ashley and Emmett might see a reduced role in the story going forward, making it uncertain whether actors Hannah Emily Anderson and Luke Roessler will come back for their respective roles.
Read More: Smoke Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Whom Does Dave See in the Mirror?
