Marcia Clark Cigarette Count, ‘The People Vs. O.J. Simpson’ Week 6: “Smoking’s Gross, Mom!”

By Meghan O'Keefe @megsokay
Published March 9, 2016, 10:30 a.m. ET

Where to Stream:

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

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There’s no doubt that the ’90s were a different time. The internet was in its infancy, cell phones were massive bricks, and people all across this great nation could smoke indoors like it wasn’t a big gross deal.

The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story salutes our former, looser attitudes towards indoor smoking by showing us the strong bond that Los Angeles District Attorney Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) had with those delicious cancer sticks. We’re often told throughout the series that Nicole and O.J. were in love, but the only real passion we see onscreen is when Marcia sucks on her cigarettes.

Last week, Marcia only had time for one measly smoke in the middle of the biggest mess of her life. How many will she puff this week?

Cigarette #1

“Smoking’s gross, Mom,” says little Travis, but Marcia won’t stop, can’t stop. It’s the carcinogenic air in her lungs and the putrid wind beneath her wings. It’s the way she unwinds after a long day of taking it from all sides. The case is creeping in a wee bit too close for comfort this week. Marcia can’t even retreat to her backyard cigarette garden without getting a whiff of heat from the press. This time they’re mad at her for being a beautiful mind trapped in the body of a cold queen in a power suit. Oh, that she could have her revenge! Oh, that this cigarette would never end! Oh, that Gordon would get his shit together and pay child support!

OFFICIAL COUNT: 13

Photo: FX

Check out the gallery below for the full blow-by-smoky-blow of Marcia Clark’s cigarette obsession.

1 of 19
FX
Episode 1, Cigarette 1: Marcia lights up to deal with her disgust at the failure of the criminal justice system.
TOTAL COUNT: 1FX Networks
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Episode 1, Cigarette 2: Divorce is hard, man.
TOTAL COUNT: 2FX Networks
Episode 1, Cigarette 3: Divorce is real hard.
TOTAL COUNT: 3FX Networks
Episode 1, Cigarette 4: Look at this glorious woman. She's going to nail O.J. Simpson for double homicide. Nothing cane stand in her way. Burn, baby, burn!
TOTAL COUNT: 4FX Networks
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Episode 2, Cigarette 1: Everyone needs a good puff to suck down the gall of a wife-beater who considers himself a battered husband. UGH!
TOTAL COUNT: 5FX Networks
Episode 2, Cigarette 2: Ah! The sweet taste of justice! Rolled up, lit up, and puffed out your lungs!
TOTAL COUNT: 6FX Networks
Episode 3, Cigarette 1: Marcia flicks a ciggy off a balcony before heading into brutal battle. Onward, valkyrie!
TOTAL COUNT: 7FX Networks
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Episode 3, Cigarette 2: Smoking is this queen of the damned's one bit of peace in this crazy world -- and the super handsome, super smart, super sensitive, and super masculine Christopher Darden UNDERSTANDS.
TOTAL COUNT: 8FX Networks
Episode 3, Cigarette 3: F*CK JOHNNIE COCHRAN!!!! F*CK!!!!! NO!!!! JOHNNIE COCHRANE WILL RUIN EVERYTHING!!!! F*CK!!!!!!!
TOTAL COUNT: 9FX Networks
Episode 4, Cigarette 1: "A Brentwood Hello," hmm? My oh my, how a well-read woman learns something new everyday.
TOTAL COUNT: 10FX Networks
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Episode 4, Cigarette 2: After a brutal couple of days, Marcia's only relief is in her sweet cigarette. God, she wishes she had Faye Resnick's hair.
TOTAL COUNT: 11FX Networks
Episode 5, Cigarette 1: Johnnie Cochrane might have Jesus Christ on his side, but Marcia Clark has Chris Darden, a closet of power suits, and a carton of bulk cigarettes. You're going down, Juice!
TOTAL COUNT: 12FX Networks
Episode 6, Cigarette 1: "I knew you were home because I could smell smoking," says little Travis. Mama's home, baby. Mama's home.
TOTAL COUNT: 13FX
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Stay tuned week by week for the official Marcia Clark cigarette count. Trust us: The number will rise as the stakes in the case get higher.

NOTE: Decider does not condone smoking. Consult a doctor before lighting up.

[Where To Stream The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story]

[Gifs & images: FX Networks]