Humo

This series was on its way to near excellence. Then the final episode pretty much ruined it. I don't know what happened, what had been a strong mystery/thriller turned into a fantasy where physics doesn't exist. The last episode was so bad that it seemed like the writing was sourced to some random person on the street. Performance laurels go the characters of Dave, Freddy and Ezra. Episodes 1,2 fine. 3 to 8 superior. 9 a disappointing mess.

Smoke is definitely a show that's worth watching. Apple TV is easily the best streaming platform there is right now and it's not particularly close either. Everything they put out is terrific and gets great reviews by both critics and the audience. It reminds me of when HBO was at their peak. Well, Smoke is another hit for them. Every episode is exciting and keeps the plot moving forward. The only negative is that we have to wait a week between episodes, I like it better when they drop the entire season at the same time so we can binge watch it. Taron Egerton gives another great performance and a big reason why this series is as good as it is. Egerton is a big name that should attract people to this show so hopefully it does well enough to get another season.

This show starts out slow and builds into something that is worth watching. The characters are not anything to captivate you from the beginning but the main villain becomes a great example of the rot in society, in a provocative way. It needs to be said that Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is a genius in this show and delivered the most impactful roll of a villain I've seen since Blackbird. Speechless at how great his performance was. This show is worth watching if only to see what he does.

After 2 episodes I'm in. This is easily one of my favorites shows of the year so far, unless the rest of the season goes off the rails. The characters are interesting, the dialog realistic (I'm no expert on the subject but it all feels legit), and the story has me completely hooked.

I don't understand the poor reviews especially after only 2 episodes. Cliche'? Maybe to some, but I haven't seen any other shows executed with this level of style and edginess in a while. The characters are just beginning to develop and boy are they a puzzle. After the plot twist at the end of episode 2, I can't wait to see where this goes.

Dennis Lehane and Taron Egerton's follow-up to Black Bird is ambitious, uneven television that succeeds as psychological thriller whilst failing as conventional crime drama.

The Good: Egerton delivers a masterfully unnerving performance once Dave's true nature emerges. His portrayal of wounded masculinity and narcissistic delusion is genuinely compelling. The supporting cast - particularly Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine's tragic Freddy and John Leguizamo's bitter ex-partner - provides excellent dramatic weight.

Ep 6-7 represent television at its finest, with psychological warfare that's properly riveting.

The Bad: Severe pacing issues plague the series. Ep 1 feels generic, Ep 4 descends into ridiculous territory, and Ep 8 tests patience as obvious setup. The finale prioritises character revelation over narrative closure, leaving frustrating loose ends. The series suffers from identity crisis: never quite deciding whether it's procedural or character study.

The Verdict: When "Smoke" embraces its psychological complexity, it's genuinely brilliant. Unfortunately, structural flaws and tonal inconsistency undermine its overall impact. The series works best as an actor's showcase for Egerton, whose performance alone justifies the journey.

Bottom Line: Compelling but flawed... worth watching for the psychological depth and exceptional performances, but temper expectations regarding satisfying resolutions.

Ambitious television that doesn't quite achieve its considerable potential.