Smoke: Season 1, Episode 8 - Mercy (2025)

The episode opens with Dave Gudsen fully aware that his colleagues suspect him as the D&C arsonist. After receiving a warning call from Reba and a tip from Burk, Dave realizes the task force is closing in on him. He discards a poorly placed tracker and begins to taunt the investigators by setting six fires around town, which, when mapped, form a smiley face. This act of psychological warfare is meant to mock the task force and demonstrate his control over the situation.

Meanwhile, Michelle is grappling with her own troubled past. During an intense confrontation with Dave, he deliberately brings up the name "Mercy," which is revealed to be Michelle's birth name, a fact she has tried to suppress. This forces Michelle to confront painful memories and her former identity, adding emotional weight to their conflict. Michelle accuses Dave of all the crimes he has committed, expressing her anger and frustration, but this does not deter Dave's manipulative behavior.

The tension escalates when Michelle returns to a house connected to the investigation. Steven, a man with a volatile temper who has a complicated relationship with Michelle, confronts her aggressively. He demands answers and becomes physically threatening, grabbing her in a fit of rage. In response, Michelle punches Steven in the throat, causing him to collapse to the floor, choking and gasping for air. Steven desperately tries to communicate with Michelle by handing her a pen, which he seems to want her to use to perform a tracheostomy to save his life. However, Michelle is frozen in shock and unable to act. Steven dies on the floor, his last moments filled with panic and helplessness.

After Steven's death, Michelle is overwhelmed by a mixture of grief and horror. She recalls moments from their past, including times when Steven expressed love for her, revealing that their relationship was more complex than purely transactional. Despite these memories, Michelle understands that Steven's controlling and violent nature made it impossible for her to stay.

Realizing the gravity of the situation and the need to cover her tracks, Michelle quickly dons gloves and begins cleaning the house meticulously to remove any evidence of her presence. She then devises a plan to destroy the crime scene. Taking a cigarette, she attaches two matches to it and sets the house on fire. As the flames begin to consume the building, Michelle recalls that Dave had left one of his gloves in her car during their first road trip together. She plants this glove in the back of the burning house, ensuring that the evidence will implicate Dave in the arson and Steven's death.

Michelle drives away from the burning house, leaving the fire to obliterate all traces of what happened inside. The episode closes on this dark and ironic note, with Michelle having killed Steven in self-defense or desperation and framed Dave by planting his glove at the scene, setting up a complex and morally ambiguous situation for the series finale.

Short Narrative of the Ending: In "Smoke" Season 1, Episode 8, titled "Mercy," the story unfolds with Dave Gudsen, the D&C arsonist, evading capture and setting multiple fires that form a smiley face on a map, taunting the task force. Meanwhile, Michelle Calderone's past and present collide as she confronts her feelings about Burke. The episode culminates in a shocking moment when Michelle makes a critical decision that changes everything, leading to Burke's death. This sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion as characters face the consequences of their actions.

Expanded Narrative:

The episode begins with Dave Gudsen, played by Taron Egerton, driving around town after being exposed as the D&C arsonist. He sets six fires strategically, creating a smiley face on a map, which is a clear taunt aimed at the task force. This act showcases Dave's cunning and his ability to manipulate situations to his advantage.

As Dave continues his cat-and-mouse game with the authorities, Michelle Calderone, portrayed by Jurnee Smollett, finds herself entangled in a complicated emotional situation with Burke, played by Rafe Spall. Their relationship is complex, filled with moments of warmth and peril. Michelle's past and present begin to collide as she grapples with her feelings about Burke and the consequences of her actions.

The tension builds throughout the episode as Michelle inadvertently discovers a potential solution to the case against Dave. However, the climax of the episode revolves around Michelle's decision-making process. In a pivotal moment, Michelle is faced with a choice that will alter the course of events. She decides not to help Burke, leading to a tragic outcome--Burke's death. This moment is not just about violence but highlights Michelle's transformation from instinct to deliberate action, which significantly impacts her character development.

Burke's death serves as a turning point, redefining the moral center of the show. It underscores the theme that no character escapes unscathed, whether from the consequences of their actions or the emotional toll of their decisions. Michelle's choice puts her in a different light, showcasing the complexity of her character and the moral ambiguity of the series.

As the episode concludes, the stage is set for a dramatic finale. Dave remains at large, having successfully evaded capture and manipulated the situation to his advantage. The task force is under pressure to produce evidence, and Michelle's actions have created a new dynamic that could potentially implicate her or lead to further complications. The fate of the main characters hangs in the balance, with each facing the repercussions of their choices in the final episodes of the series.

There is no indication of a post-credit scene in Smoke, season 1, episode 8 titled "Mercy." The episode ends with a dramatic and pivotal sequence where Michelle accidentally kills Steven during a confrontation, then frames Dave by setting Steven's house on fire and planting Dave's glove as evidence. The narrative focus remains tightly on this climax and its immediate aftermath, with no mention or description of any additional scene after the credits.

The available detailed recaps and analyses of episode 8 do not reference any post-credit content, suggesting the episode concludes with the main story beats before the credits roll. The subsequent episode 9 continues the story directly from these events, further implying no extra scene was appended to episode 8.

Michelle kills Burk after he tries to physically stop her from leaving and reveals that his support for her career was just a ploy to get her into bed. In a moment of self-defense and fury, she spins around and smashes his trachea, leading to his death despite his silent plea for an emergency tracheotomy.

Michelle cleans up the crime scene by burning down the house using one of Dave's trademark D&C ignition devices. She then plants one of Dave's gloves, which he had earlier left in her car, near the scene to frame him for the crime.

Dave reveals that Michelle, whose real name is Marcy, was trapped in a motel fire as a child. The fire was started by her mother during a drug binge, which resulted in the death of two people. This revelation deeply unsettles Michelle and brings her simmering hatred to the surface.

Harvey is revealed to be a dishonest cop who has been stealing $256,000 from law enforcement to fund his lifestyle, including a lakeside cabin. Dave knows this secret and it is only a matter of time before he exposes Harvey to the authorities.

The glove that Dave left in Michelle's car becomes a key piece of evidence Michelle uses to frame Dave for the murder of Burk. She plants it at the crime scene before setting the house on fire, implicating Dave in a crime he did not commit and potentially leading to his downfall.

The TV show Smoke, season 1 episode 8 titled "Mercy" (2025), is not family friendly and is intended for mature audiences. It contains graphic and potentially upsetting content that may be inappropriate for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Graphic violence and burns, including scenes with severe skin injuries and fire-related trauma.
• Strong and frequent harsh language, including explicit profanity.
• Sexual content and nudity.
• Themes of arson, cruelty, and psychological trauma.
• Depictions of sociopathic behavior and disturbing criminal acts.
• Intense suspense and horror elements related to serial arsonists.

These elements contribute to a dark, intense atmosphere that is emotionally and visually challenging, making it unsuitable for younger audiences or those sensitive to violence, strong language, and mature themes.