User reviews

During the course of an investigation involving a fire that kills the small child of popular comedian Adam Ferrara all kinds of rumors surface like those involving Michael Jackson in real life about his fondness for little children.

Ferrara runs his own little Neverland ranch in his New York apartment and among the many people he's entertained there was Joseph Budinoff the child of David Zayas and Lisa Velez. Zayas got screenwriter credit for writing one of Ferrara's films. But it was hush money covering up the fact that Ferrara had molested Budinoff just as he was entering puberty.

To me this seems almost inconceivable, but listen to their reasons why this happened. In the end the parents are truly frightening figures, but more so when Sam Waterston and Elizabeth Rohm discover why.

If you're a parent this is one frightening episode.

Firemen were about to put out a fire in a fancy hotel. A toddler was thrown from the room where the blaze took place: it's time to understand if it was murder or not. The fire seemed to be accidental, because it all started from a cigarette butt left in the ashtray. There were other three people in the room: a well-known comedian actor (who adopted the child) and two assistants, all survived. While investigating the case, Green figured out the actor had bad habits in chasing child in order to molested them. An ice cream truck seller help him in child hunting in the past years and a teenager hold a grudge against him. His parents gained a lot of money for keeping their mouth shout about their son and that help them raise their living standards other than enabling them a medical treatment for the younger sick son. But there are many surprises at trial till the twist ending.

A case that lead to another case; detectives decided to close the first one for lack of evidences despite the victim didn't have smoke in his lungs (all three witnesses told the same story: the comedian panicked). Anyway the net is dangerous for anyone these days.

Season 13 was a solid season, with most of the episodes being good to very good, some being great or more and with only two episodes that weren't up to the same level. Them being "The Wheel" and especially "Seer". "American Jahid", "Sheltered" and especially "Couples" were the standouts of the previous episodes. With it being the season finale (finales are always watched with high expectations) and also because of the high standard, it was hard to not expect a lot from "Smoke".

Re-watching it recently, "Smoke" was not a disappointment in any way and lived up and exceeded the high expectations. It was a brilliant way to end a solid season, perhaps the best season finale since Season 9's "Refuge" two parter, and in the top 5 of the best Season 13 episodes. Along with the already mentioned ones and also "Open Season". It is a tough and truly frightening subject matter being explored here that has a lot of raw emotions, and "Smoke" did a truly great job with it.

Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has nice and at its best (such as towards and at the end) thrilling tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.

The script holds nothing back and is unyielding in a way that is quite scary, while also being tactful and at times poignant. It is thoughtful dialogue too, there is a lot of talk so a lot to take in but it didn't feel too much. The story is engrossing throughout, with a case that sends chills down the spine but is enough to reduce anybody to tears. It does wonderfully at showing the full horrors of the subject and the raw emotions that come with it, so this will not be an easy watch for parents or those who have been there.

As tends to be the case with 'Law and Order', the investigating is gritty and at times wry, but it is even better in the tense and complex legal portion. Especially with the dilemmas of how to approach the case and that there are obstacles to try and overcome, such as a need for a stronger prosecution case and more evidence needed. The acting is extremely good all round.

In summary, outstanding last episode to a solid season. 10/10.