I enjoyed getting to know these characters over the 3 season run. I actually didn't realize they were based on real people until I watched the behind the scenes bit after the credits of the final episode. I loved this show. The ending had me in tears. It will be missed.
16 Reviews
One of the best last episodes I've seen
daniel-frojmark9 November 2019
Was a nice ride
stahl98129 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
With a good script, and covering such an interesting period of time, for me the series had its ups and downs, season 2 wasn't always easy to follow, particularly when it started to focus more (too much, maybe, sometimes?) on just a hand of characters from the whole plethora, while leaving others barely sketched.
I personally would've loved to hear some Nam stories from Black Frank, or to see more hours into a day of Rudi or Tommy. But yeah, I get it, this is not the Deer Hunter, nor Goodfellas.
Also, reading reviews from past episodes, people that lived thru that era commented that the show presented some facts erroneously.
I will not argue, as after all, the final output is a series I will remember for sure. Great attention to details, to avoid anachronisms. I for one care about such things.
Some neighbor somehow started to cut some onions towards the final 15 minutes of the episode. Touching finish, it was great to see some season 1 characters again, this way.
Thumbs up for this project, producers!
The final curtain
lafunkrealdeal30 October 2019
In the end, a flash-forward filled with flashbacks/ghosts on NYC sidewalks remind us that the generation we observed are just that... ghosts in the hands of time.
Did it all happen? Did it not happen?
It certainly COULD have happened.
And the characters will go down as the enjoyable stereotypes whom were our corrupt blinders throughout this 15-ish-year adventure.
Now Scorsese & Jagger need to revive Vynil!!!
Did it all happen? Did it not happen?
It certainly COULD have happened.
And the characters will go down as the enjoyable stereotypes whom were our corrupt blinders throughout this 15-ish-year adventure.
Now Scorsese & Jagger need to revive Vynil!!!
Season Three Review
southdavid24 July 2020
Season three of "The Deuce" is a wonderful conclusion to this Macro/Micro story about the changing fortunes of the New York district.
Now in the mid-1980's, times are changing still. The arrival of home video and cheaper recording equipment has moved the porn industry out to California and though Lori Madison (Emily Meade) is still one of the biggest stars, the proliferation of actors, producers and titles means that more and more is asked of her, for less and less reward. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is still making films in New York, but she's still desperately trying to find a worthwhile story to tell. The plans to redevelop the area are relentless though, and the HIV epidemic might be just the excuse needed to close the brothels and bathhouses for good.
It's hard to not talk about "The Deuce" without drawing comparisons with David Simon's "The Wire", and I think the comparisons are fair. The show concentrates on the individual stories of characters' lives, but their lives are influenced by wider context, as all our lives are. This is never more apparent than in this third season, as the Deuce is effectively "cleaned up" to make way for the Times Square that we have today. The story is so smartly done, as cause and effect runs around the storylines. The prostitutes discovering that life is better in hotels, rather than parlours, means the parlours have less money to kick up to the mafia, which encourages a movement towards drug dealing that the older captains were unwilling to do.
The performances are really fantastic too, Maggie Gyllenhaal has been criminally underappreciated for her performances throughout this run. But I don't think there's a weak link in the whole ensemble, top to bottom. Personally, I don't think the show feels like it's been cut short - we're at the end of a number of character arcs and it feels like the war for the Deuce has been won by the developers. An excellent series.
Now in the mid-1980's, times are changing still. The arrival of home video and cheaper recording equipment has moved the porn industry out to California and though Lori Madison (Emily Meade) is still one of the biggest stars, the proliferation of actors, producers and titles means that more and more is asked of her, for less and less reward. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is still making films in New York, but she's still desperately trying to find a worthwhile story to tell. The plans to redevelop the area are relentless though, and the HIV epidemic might be just the excuse needed to close the brothels and bathhouses for good.
It's hard to not talk about "The Deuce" without drawing comparisons with David Simon's "The Wire", and I think the comparisons are fair. The show concentrates on the individual stories of characters' lives, but their lives are influenced by wider context, as all our lives are. This is never more apparent than in this third season, as the Deuce is effectively "cleaned up" to make way for the Times Square that we have today. The story is so smartly done, as cause and effect runs around the storylines. The prostitutes discovering that life is better in hotels, rather than parlours, means the parlours have less money to kick up to the mafia, which encourages a movement towards drug dealing that the older captains were unwilling to do.
The performances are really fantastic too, Maggie Gyllenhaal has been criminally underappreciated for her performances throughout this run. But I don't think there's a weak link in the whole ensemble, top to bottom. Personally, I don't think the show feels like it's been cut short - we're at the end of a number of character arcs and it feels like the war for the Deuce has been won by the developers. An excellent series.
Enough Closure For Me
baseballdogg2229 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Even though the show kind of lost me half way through season 2, I think it was always inevitable what the fate of most characters would be and the epilogue gave me the closure that was needed. A sad reality that hit hard was that we were exposed so much to Vince and Abby's relationship and to see her move on and Vince stuck in the past, it makes sense but just sad.
Perfect way to end
smith-steven2419 January 2020
The Deuce - The end and the Money Shot hits its target
joebloggscity28 February 2020
So sadly we have come to the end of this enthralling yet admittedly grimey series, where we have uncomfortably learned to ride along with the cast of often unlikeable characters, but also see the self-destruction of plenty of other decent others.
It was a short window for this world in New York, and here we see the sharp collapse of their world as the spectre of Aids arises, the move from professional theatre porn to low cost/low stature VHS smut and a gentrifying New York.
Our cast is older and wiser, but the cracks are still there, and it was interesting to see the arc of Lori Madisson and Candy develop further, when I thought they had closed off Lori's tale. Lori's tale is a sad story as you see that she has little escaped the hell she was trapped into, and now is under the clutches of others as despicable as her old pimp. Candy on the other hand is stuck trying to win over those who don't want to be, possibly naive of the changing nature of the market and who her customers really are.
The rest are still there and as this is the final season you see some quick kill offs too as is the norm. You watch as everything yet nothing changes in their lives, be it personal or work. The mob is still there and everyone is still under their thumbs.
This season has been fabulous, even till the last episode. The jump in time for the story I guess was as they had to call time on it early, which is a shame as there was still so much to tell. We all loved this more than we should have.
How Maggie Gyllenhall didn't win awards for this season's work really baffles me, and it shows that this is a show that is possibly counter to the prevailing social mores at the moment. She deserves better.
I'm going to watch it again sometime. An eye opener and one that hits the mark. Thank you to all who put this together, a wonderful treasure, and a wonderful send-off.
It was a short window for this world in New York, and here we see the sharp collapse of their world as the spectre of Aids arises, the move from professional theatre porn to low cost/low stature VHS smut and a gentrifying New York.
Our cast is older and wiser, but the cracks are still there, and it was interesting to see the arc of Lori Madisson and Candy develop further, when I thought they had closed off Lori's tale. Lori's tale is a sad story as you see that she has little escaped the hell she was trapped into, and now is under the clutches of others as despicable as her old pimp. Candy on the other hand is stuck trying to win over those who don't want to be, possibly naive of the changing nature of the market and who her customers really are.
The rest are still there and as this is the final season you see some quick kill offs too as is the norm. You watch as everything yet nothing changes in their lives, be it personal or work. The mob is still there and everyone is still under their thumbs.
This season has been fabulous, even till the last episode. The jump in time for the story I guess was as they had to call time on it early, which is a shame as there was still so much to tell. We all loved this more than we should have.
How Maggie Gyllenhall didn't win awards for this season's work really baffles me, and it shows that this is a show that is possibly counter to the prevailing social mores at the moment. She deserves better.
I'm going to watch it again sometime. An eye opener and one that hits the mark. Thank you to all who put this together, a wonderful treasure, and a wonderful send-off.
Really great last episode
mwelbourne-123 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I've really enjoyed all three series of this show. I want too sure at the start of series 3 with the time change, but once it got going again I was fully immersed once more. The conclusion of Lori's journey was the most jaw dropping bit of TV in long time, and the final 15 minutes was very moving. The Deuce - all of it - well done. I appreciate all the hard work and talent. Thanks
Flawless ending!!
heresija25 April 2020
Brilliant and touching
marco_belletti18 February 2021
Took 3 years but finally watched the end.
mrmarckline27 February 2022
The cast was amazing for three years , reality check on how life was back in the mid 80's in New York City.
The ending May 2019 was great ending with an aged grey in the face James Franco , who played the twins with grace and dignity and showed us , he could act . The ending thru memories of 1971 , on how the charactors began and some spoke like Maggie on her film without sex in which would have done better if there would have been instead was released as an R rating.
All the ghosts shown and Abby shown walking thru the streets on her cell phone. Narration by Vince , wrapped up the show that brought us 15 years thru the eyes of the cast in 3 decent years on HBO.
The ending May 2019 was great ending with an aged grey in the face James Franco , who played the twins with grace and dignity and showed us , he could act . The ending thru memories of 1971 , on how the charactors began and some spoke like Maggie on her film without sex in which would have done better if there would have been instead was released as an R rating.
All the ghosts shown and Abby shown walking thru the streets on her cell phone. Narration by Vince , wrapped up the show that brought us 15 years thru the eyes of the cast in 3 decent years on HBO.
A touching series finale
silverton-3795919 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is the first 10 rating I've ever given. This finale brought every charatcter's arc to fruition with nothing left hanging and the ending scenes with Vincent back in the city as a 70-something man taking a walk down what used to be The Deuce became a tear-jerker as he saw people he had know who are long dead, but he saw them as they were.
I think that this was the finest, most touching finale in any series that I've seen.
I think that this was the finest, most touching finale in any series that I've seen.
I had a feeling
mvanek-4858626 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As the season drew to a close I knew this last episode was going to be rough. Not because it would be bad but because it would hit me like a pile of bricks. It absolutely did. Pulled on my heart strings. Especially Vincent seeing everybody who was in his life through the series that are now dead. It sucks because I really liked this show and I always get this way when a good show ends. I guess it's on to the next one.
Greatest Show Ever Shown
robotrock-7326226 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I watched once and it took me almost a year because of how busy life was for me. I binged a second time and really sat and watched it. This was by far thee most greatest series EVER. The characters, their developments, the ending when Vince is walking the streets of the old deuce is just phenomenal. I have a fascination with old NYC (not because I lived there) because it's so RICH in history but especially the ol' 70s & 80s NYC. I absolutely love this show. I'll watch/binge a 3rd time soon.
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