A masterful piece of television drama. Brilliantly put together by David Simon. Particularly liked the closing montage, which closed out the season well and leaves us wondering where David Simon will take us and all his characters in the next season.
7 Reviews
Season Two Review
southdavid21 January 2019
I really enjoyed the first season of "The Deuce" and felt that it was comparable to "The Wire" in terms of its sprawling multi character plot, adult storylines and grim subject matter. I'm happy to say that despite a slight refocus from prostitution towards the porn industry, the quality of the show remains the same.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's Eileen is now a fully-fledged Porn director, but her desires to increase the artiness of her films conflicts with both her produces intentions and the budgets available. Porn has also offered a couple of girls, in particularly Lori (Emily Meade) a route off the streets and dreams of a possible future in the Los Angeles scene. Back in the Deuce, though the bars and clubs are doing well, the parlours are starting to suffer - both from opposing organised crime families and, more ominously, the increasing desire for urban regeneration.
In my review of season one I compared "The Deuce" favourably with Simon's previous classic series "The Wire", I think the comparison still stands in terms of quality. The recreation of 70's New York remains solid; whilst performances, dialogue and story all great. If I have a criticism of this season, occasionally a storyline or relationship appears to reach a certain point, only for us to re-join it in the next episode and they carry on as if it didn't happen. To be more specific, there were a couple of times where the relationship between Abby (Margarita Levieva) and Vincent (James Franco) appears to end in a fight, only for it to be continuing in the next episode without us seeing the reconciliation. I'd understand an argument that it's implied, and you don't need to actually see it, but it still feels a little jarring.
Other than that relatively minor complaint, the second season of "The Deuce" is still a great piece of television. Thrilling and entertaining. Tense and Funny. I'm hoping that the third, and apparently final, season shifts the focus a little more to the developers, as I'm sure that will prove to be an even shadier business than the sex trade.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's Eileen is now a fully-fledged Porn director, but her desires to increase the artiness of her films conflicts with both her produces intentions and the budgets available. Porn has also offered a couple of girls, in particularly Lori (Emily Meade) a route off the streets and dreams of a possible future in the Los Angeles scene. Back in the Deuce, though the bars and clubs are doing well, the parlours are starting to suffer - both from opposing organised crime families and, more ominously, the increasing desire for urban regeneration.
In my review of season one I compared "The Deuce" favourably with Simon's previous classic series "The Wire", I think the comparison still stands in terms of quality. The recreation of 70's New York remains solid; whilst performances, dialogue and story all great. If I have a criticism of this season, occasionally a storyline or relationship appears to reach a certain point, only for us to re-join it in the next episode and they carry on as if it didn't happen. To be more specific, there were a couple of times where the relationship between Abby (Margarita Levieva) and Vincent (James Franco) appears to end in a fight, only for it to be continuing in the next episode without us seeing the reconciliation. I'd understand an argument that it's implied, and you don't need to actually see it, but it still feels a little jarring.
Other than that relatively minor complaint, the second season of "The Deuce" is still a great piece of television. Thrilling and entertaining. Tense and Funny. I'm hoping that the third, and apparently final, season shifts the focus a little more to the developers, as I'm sure that will prove to be an even shadier business than the sex trade.
Damn. Just damn..
JimmyBelfonte7 November 2018
S2: Continued respect rather than love
bob the moo16 August 2020
It took me ages to get around to watching the first season of this show, and even though the second season was already out when I did, I took ages to get around to it too. The reason is not related to the quality of the show, but rather that it is yet to really spark in me. In approach it is similar to Treme, because it isn't a show of cliff-hangers and big developments - although it has them here and there. Instead it is a show about community, time, and place as represented by a handful of characters. In Treme it took me a minute, but I did get into the approach and enjoyed the time spent within the community, but with The Deuce it is harder to do, probably because there is not really much to like or admire within the world on show.
In terms of the world, it is convincingly done, with very high production values and a lot of talent involved. The writing is solidly good, and the threads move forward with reasonable pace. It lacks an urgency that would help it a little, because it does feel very passive for long sections of any given episode; it also doesn't sell itself particularly - by which I mean, the makers certainly know what made them want to tell these stories about this time/place, but the show could do more to share this interest with the viewer but instead it comes over like we are just watching. On this level I do enjoy it, because the talent is there in spades and the result is an engaging show, but it continues to be one I respect more than I am loving it or excited by it.
In terms of the world, it is convincingly done, with very high production values and a lot of talent involved. The writing is solidly good, and the threads move forward with reasonable pace. It lacks an urgency that would help it a little, because it does feel very passive for long sections of any given episode; it also doesn't sell itself particularly - by which I mean, the makers certainly know what made them want to tell these stories about this time/place, but the show could do more to share this interest with the viewer but instead it comes over like we are just watching. On this level I do enjoy it, because the talent is there in spades and the result is an engaging show, but it continues to be one I respect more than I am loving it or excited by it.
Grimey, honest and nasty snapshot of the supposed golden age of porn...
joebloggscity14 February 2020
Now onto the difficult second album for this series, The Deuce is an uncomfortable subject surrounding the rise of the golden age of porn, centering on the grimey red light district in New York.
A few years have passed since the first season ended, but little has truly changed. The pimps are still in control and the gangsters still have their hands on anything going. The series is honest, portraying the discomforting cross section of women in prostitution, many who suffer but others who just can't seem to walk away, whilst others do walk away. We see those who help or sympathise for them, but also those who abuse them or simply are apathetic to their plight (including many in authority).
So what is it that is so captivating about all that has kept many still watching. Well, it follows the pattern of The Wire, and that is a boon. What is great is the frightening nose to the ground outlook, showing the myriad of characters who constitute this world. The arcs of certain characters is also very fascinating be it the aspiring porn director Candy, the aspiring porn actress and actors, the gangsters, the cops and the barmen. We also have a MacGuffin or two that pulls along the story for one or two characters.
It's grim and funny at times, nasty but tender too. So quite a feat, yet it does struggle more in this season than the last. We know various characters now, and padding out the season seemed to be a bit of leap for the writers. They are within touching distance of greatness, but maybe they are mirroring the porn directors. They also want respect but really all they are making will never earn widespread respect.
It's an intriguing show, not one for some to watch with necessarily with their partner. A bygone age but the issues still resonate. A fine and grimey snapshot and I look forward to watching soon the final season that will draw the curtain over this world for me.
A few years have passed since the first season ended, but little has truly changed. The pimps are still in control and the gangsters still have their hands on anything going. The series is honest, portraying the discomforting cross section of women in prostitution, many who suffer but others who just can't seem to walk away, whilst others do walk away. We see those who help or sympathise for them, but also those who abuse them or simply are apathetic to their plight (including many in authority).
So what is it that is so captivating about all that has kept many still watching. Well, it follows the pattern of The Wire, and that is a boon. What is great is the frightening nose to the ground outlook, showing the myriad of characters who constitute this world. The arcs of certain characters is also very fascinating be it the aspiring porn director Candy, the aspiring porn actress and actors, the gangsters, the cops and the barmen. We also have a MacGuffin or two that pulls along the story for one or two characters.
It's grim and funny at times, nasty but tender too. So quite a feat, yet it does struggle more in this season than the last. We know various characters now, and padding out the season seemed to be a bit of leap for the writers. They are within touching distance of greatness, but maybe they are mirroring the porn directors. They also want respect but really all they are making will never earn widespread respect.
It's an intriguing show, not one for some to watch with necessarily with their partner. A bygone age but the issues still resonate. A fine and grimey snapshot and I look forward to watching soon the final season that will draw the curtain over this world for me.
Potentially strong episode marred by sentimentality
michaelangellcanfield14 November 2018
With the exception of the cold open, the first half of this episode is great. The season really starts to wrap up nicely, with strong, emotional and intriguing plot developments.
In the second half a growing trend in the Deuce starts to happen: the show starts to "give the audience what they want." "Good" characters succeed, "middle" characters seem to learn lessons and/or get a little burned, and "bad" characters are softened or get theirs (as is a continuation from last episode).
Gone is season 1's Wire-esque feeling of a glimpse into a gnarly part of Real Life, where the audience doesn't know when we'll be heartbroken and when and we'll be shown the rare occasion of a life dramatically changing, and when we'll see characters' situations just perpetuating themselves into an unknown future.
Sure, minor characters show these tendencies, but the show pulled back from presenting something gritty in favor of a safer route, maybe to survive itself into a third season.
More stories about our characters
DrDumb7 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
In season 2, there are more stories about our characters. Vincent and Frankie continue their businesses in the city with the help of the mobs. But they also tangle up with the mobs and they have no idea how to get rid of them. Eileen finds a way to earn more money by starting her pornographic industry, at the cost of her relationship with her family. Lori and other sex workers cannot break free from their pimps and sex work, everything they do are for their pimps. Dorothy, a former sex worker, luckily escapes from the sex exploitation and becomes an activitist who wants to help sex workers and stop prostitution. Her timeless effort eventually costs her own life. The second season shows us how hard prostitutes were back in the old days, with no protection and no possible methods to escape. Some lost their lives from sex work (for example Ruby Thunderthighs). Like what the show shows us "once you are a sex worker, you are forever a sex worker, and the only thing you can do is sex work, you will not be protected, and you are not gonna be free". For example, Shay, a former sex worker who successfully quit but has to come back to the streets because she needs drugs and money. Then we will head to season 3 for more unexpected moments.
See also
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