The Deuce (TV series) explained

Genre:Period drama
Endtheme:"Assume the Position" by Lafayette Gilchrist
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:25
List Episodes:List of The Deuce episodes
Editor:Alex Hall
Location:New York City
Network:HBO

The Deuce is an American drama television series created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, set in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. It is broadcast by HBO in the United States and premiered on September 10, 2017.[1] [2] HBO made the pilot available through its streaming services and affiliates on August 25, 2017.[3]

The Deuce features a large ensemble cast including James Franco playing twins and Maggie Gyllenhaal as an ambitious former prostitute who works to become an adult filmmaker. It tells the story of the Golden Age of Porn, the legalization and rise of the porn industry in New York City that began in the 1970s. Themes explored include navigating a culture of extreme misogyny, government and police corruption, the violence of the drug epidemic, and the real-estate booms and busts that coincided with the change. The show's title is derived from the nickname for 42nd Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue.[4] [5]

On September 19, 2017, HBO renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on September 9, 2018.[6] [7] On September 20, 2018, HBO renewed the series for a third and final season, which premiered on September 9, 2019.[8] [9] The series concluded on October 28, 2019, after three seasons and 25 episodes.

Premise

Set during the 1970s and 1980s in New York City, the drug epidemic and its violence is getting worse. Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino become fronts for the Mafia while operating out of Times Square, which is also the home of Eileen "Candy" Merrell, a street-level prostitute who exits the dangers of the street by entering the legal emerging porn industry as an actress and director. The first season takes place from 1971 to 1972, while the second season jumps five years ahead to 1977 with the season concluding in the summer of 1978.[2] [10] The third season takes place from 1984 to 1985.[11]

Conception

The Deuce was envisioned as a three-season series by creators David Simon and George Pelecanos, with each season taking place in a different time during the rise of the porn industry in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s.[12] [13]

Marc Henry Johnson, an assistant locations manager on Treme, introduced Simon and Pelecanos to a man in New York City who told them vivid accounts from his stint as a mob front for bars and massage parlors in 1970s Manhattan. "The characters were so rich, and that's what it all comes down to", said Pelecanos. Inspired by these stories, the producers set out to present a fictional account of the era. "Some of it happened", said Simon. "Some of it didn't happen. Some of it might have happened. But all of it could have happened."[14]

After suggestions from cast member Emily Meade, the series brought on Alicia Rodis as an intimacy coordinator, to help the actors during sex scenes, making sure they all felt safe and nobody was distressed. Meade explained, "It's just mind boggling to me I've never been on set with an intimacy coordinator before; it felt so natural and so necessary. It's crazy it took to 2018 for sexuality to be treated with the same sensitivity and vulnerability as violence, or animals or children. I hope it gets to a point where it's not a choice, it's necessity, just like stunt coordinators, or a chaperone for children and animals."[15] [16]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest appearances

Clarke Peters, who played Lester Freamon in The Wire (which David Simon created), guest stars in the season 1 finale as "Ace", a former pimp and C.C.'s mentor.[28] Photographer Nan Goldin made a cameo appearance in a season 2 episode. She has worked in the same post-Stonewall era of New York city displayed in the series.[29] [30] Co-creator and executive producer George Pelecanos appears as a bar patron in season 3, episode 6.

Episodes

See main article: List of The Deuce episodes.

Reception

Critical response

SeasonCritical response
Rotten TomatoesMetacritic
193% (202 reviews)85 (35 reviews)
299% (104 reviews)86 (13 reviews)
388% (17 reviews)79 (6 reviews)
The Deuce has received critical acclaim. On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 85 out of 100 based on 35 reviews.[31] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 93% approval rating with an average rating of 8.65 out of 10 based on 202 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "The Deuce again demonstrates David Simon's masterful grasp of urban grit, while never losing detailed sight of its colorful characters."[32] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a highly positive review, praising its ensemble cast, and wrote in conclusion, "Simon and Pelecanos are just beginning to put the machinery of The Deuce into motion in these eight episodes. As an opening act, the show's first season is substantive, provocative and entertaining."[33] Charles Bramesco of The Guardian gave it a five star review and wrote, "Simon has created his most accessible work of humanism to date, and he's done so without sacrificing his loftier ambitions of societal critique."[34]

The second season received continued critical acclaim. On Metacritic, it has a score of 86 out of 100 based on 13 reviews.[35] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 99% approval rating with an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 based on 104 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "The Deuces excellent character-driven drama returns with even more immersive world-building and a welcome focus on its leading ladies, carried by a tour de force performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal."[36] Allison Shoemaker for RogerEbert.com gave it a highly positive review, and wrote "Simon and Pelecanos seem to have hit their stride with this particular story, expertly balancing character-driven storytelling with a wide-angle view of the social, economic, political, cultural, sexual, and gendered dynamics of the era."[37]

The third season received continued critical acclaim. On Metacritic, it has a score of 79 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.[38] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 88% approval rating with an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 based on 17 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "Visually rich and utterly human, what narrative stream The Deuce loses in its final season is more than made up for in its depth of character and world building."[39] Ben Travers of IndieWire gave it an "A−" grade and praised the series' world-building, writing, "The Deuce is one of the most impressive examples in recent memory. He further wrote, "In terms of sheer artistic value, these touches can't be praised highly enough. [...] It's a stunning, transportive experience each and every episode."[40]

Ratings

The premiere episode received 830,000 viewers on HBO for its initial airing and an additional 342,000 viewers for its encore later that night, on September 10, 2017. The episode was previously made available online through on-demand and HBO Go on August 25 and received 1.1 million viewers. Cumulatively, through all platforms, the episode received 2.2 million viewers.[41]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResult
2017Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress – Television Series DramaMaggie Gyllenhaal[42]
Location Managers Guild AwardsOutstanding Locations in Period TelevisionChris George, Pat Weber Sones[43]
Satellite AwardsBest Actress in a Drama / Genre SeriesMaggie Gyllenhaal[44]
Writers Guild of America AwardsBest New SeriesMegan Abbott, Marc Henry Johnson, Lisa Lutz, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, Will Ralston, David Simon, Chris Yakaitis[45]
2019Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal EpisodeJim Rider, Steven Weigle, John Bair, Aaron Raff (for "We're all Beasts")[46]
Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time ProjectJohn Bair, Vance Miller, Jose Marin, Steve Sullivan (for "42nd St")
2020Casting Society of AmericaTelevision Series – DramaAlexa L. Fogel, Kathryn Zamora-Benson, Elizabeth Berra[47]

Notes and References

  1. News: HBO Drops 'The Deuce' Series Premiere Two Weeks Ahead Of Schedule . Gothamist . Jake . Offenhartz . August 26, 2017 . September 2, 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170826201334/http://gothamist.com/2017/08/26/hbo_drops_the_deuce_season_premiere.php . August 26, 2017 . mdy-all.
  2. James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal Star in HBO Drama Series "The Deuce," Created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, Debuting Sept. 10 . HBO . July 26, 2017 . July 31, 2017.
  3. News: HBO Offers 'The Deuce' Early for Subscribers . Broadcasting & Cable . Michael . Malone . August 24, 2017 . September 2, 2017 . September 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170902100633/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/hbo-offers-deuce-early-subscribers/168115 . live .
  4. Book: Suburbanization of New York: Is the World's Greatest City Becoming Just Another Town? . Jerilou Hammett . Kingsley Hammett . Princeton Architectural Press . 2007 . 9781568986784.
  5. News: HBO Orders Two David Simon Pilots, James Franco to Star In Porn Drama . Rose . Lacey . August 6, 2015 . The Hollywood Reporter . July 10, 2017 . April 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190402084416/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-orders-two-david-simon-813513 . live .
  6. Web site: 'The Deuce' Renewed For Season 2 At HBO . . Denise . Petski . September 19, 2017 . September 19, 2017 . November 3, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103130831/https://deadline.com/2017/09/the-deuce-renewed-season-2-hbo-1202173112/ . live .
  7. Web site: 'The Deuce' Season 2 Premiere Date Set On HBO . Petski . Denise . July 9, 2018 . . July 9, 2018 . July 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180709215735/https://deadline.com/2018/07/the-deuce-season-2-premiere-date-hbo-1202423122/ . live .
  8. Web site: The Deuce Renewed for Third — and Final — Season at HBO . Nemetz . Dave . . September 20, 2018 . September 20, 2018 . February 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190214223954/https://tvline.com/2018/09/20/the-deuce-renewed-cancelled-final-season-3-hbo/ . live .
  9. Web site: The Deuce's Final Season Gets September Premiere Date on HBO . Swift . Andy . . July 12, 2019 . July 12, 2019.
  10. HBO Drama Series "The Deuce," Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, Returns for Second Season Sept. 9, Exclusively on HBO . HBO . July 25, 2018 . July 31, 2018.
  11. Web site: 'The Deuce' Season 3 Teaser: The '80s Bring About the End of the Times Square Porn Industry . /Film . Hoai-Tran . Bui . August 13, 2019 . September 11, 2019.
  12. Web site: James Franco on 'The Deuce' and David Simon's Three-Season Plan . Collider . Christina . Radish . September 24, 2017 . September 21, 2018.
  13. Web site: HBO Renews 'The Deuce' for Third and Final Season . The Hollywood Reporter . Michael . O'Connell . September 20, 2018 . September 21, 2018.
  14. News: Barry . Dan . 'The Deuce' Recalls Sex and Sleaze in 1970s Times Square . September 2, 2017 . The New York Times . August 24, 2017.
  15. News: The Deuce's Emily Meade Shares the Value of Intimacy Coordinators . E! Online . Mike . Vulpo . September 21, 2018 . October 19, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015620/https://www.eonline.com/news/970626/the-deuce-s-emily-meade-shares-the-value-of-intimacy-coordinators-on-set . live .
  16. News: How Do You Play a Porn Star in the #MeToo Era? With Help from an 'Intimacy Director' . The New York Times . Margaret . Judson . August 24, 2018 . October 19, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015648/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/business/intimacy-director-hbo-the-deuce.html . live .
  17. News: David Simon's HBO Porn Drama Starring James Franco Picked Up to Series . Goldberg . Lesley . January 19, 2016 . The Hollywood Reporter . March 9, 2017 . April 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407203401/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/david-simons-hbo-porn-drama-857388 . live .
  18. News: Maggie Gyllenhaal to Star in David Simon's HBO Porn Drama . Rose . Lacey . September 24, 2015 . The Hollywood Reporter . March 10, 2017 . February 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190202020401/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/maggie-gyllenhaal-star-david-simons-827020 . live .
  19. News: 'The Deuce' HBO Series Adds Chris Bauer & Gbenga Akinnagbe As Regulars . Petski . Denise . June 21, 2016 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . December 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215132559/https://deadline.com/2016/06/the-deuce-hbo-series-chris-bauer-gbenga-akinagbe-cast-series-regulars-1201776750/ . live .
  20. News: 'The Deuce' HBO Series Adds Chris Coy As Regular . Andreeva . Nellie . June 16, 2016 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . December 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215202318/https://deadline.com/2016/06/the-deuce-hbo-series-chris-coy-as-regular-1201773927/ . live .
  21. News: Margarita Levieva To Star In HBO Drama Pilot 'The Deuce'; Two Others Cast . Andreeva . Nellie . October 1, 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . December 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215202329/https://deadline.com/2015/10/margarita-levieva-star-the-deuce-hbo-pilot-lawrence-gilliard-dominique-fishback-1201564820/ . live .
  22. News: Michael Rispoli & Natalie Paul Join HBO New Drama Series 'Deuce' As Regulars . Andreeva . Nellie . June 8, 2016 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . June 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030318/https://deadline.com/2016/06/michael-rispoli-natalie-paul-cast-hbo-drama-series-deuce-as-regulars-1201768798/ . live .
  23. Web site: 'The Deuce': David Krumholtz, Daniel Sauli, Sepideh Moafi & Olivia Luccardi Upped To Series Regulars On HBO Drama . Deadline Hollywood . Denise . Petski . November 20, 2018 . November 21, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015619/https://deadline.com/2018/11/the-deuce-david-krumholtz-daniel-sauli-sepideh-moafi-olivia-luccardi-upped-to-series-regulars-on-hbo-drama-1202505242/ . live .
  24. News: 'Scream Queens' Casts James Earl; 'The Deuce' Adds Ralph Macchio . Petski . Denise . June 24, 2016 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015648/https://deadline.com/2016/06/scream-queens-cast-james-earl-the-deuce-ralph-macchio-1201779216/ . live .
  25. News: Zoe Kazan To Star In Lena Dunham HBO Comedy Pilot 'Max' In Recasting . Andreeva . Nellie . November 11, 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . March 10, 2017 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015619/https://deadline.com/2015/11/zoe-kazan-star-lena-dunham-hbo-pilot-replacing-lisa-joyce-1201619192/ . live .
  26. News: Meet Pernell Walker aka Thunder Thighs . YouTube. September 10, 2017.
  27. 'The Deuce' Recap: Stayin' Alive . Sepinwall . Alan . October 28, 2018 . Rolling Stone . May 30, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015622/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-recaps/deuce-recap-season-2-episode-8-747157/ . live .
  28. Web site: 'The Deuce' Season 1 Finale: Swept Up . Tobias . Scott . October 29, 2017 . The New York Times . November 21, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015650/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/29/arts/television/the-deuce-recap-season-1-finale-my-name-is-ruby.html . live .
  29. Web site: Nan Goldin Makes Guest Appearance on HBO's 'The Deuce' . Greenberger . Alex . October 1, 2018 . ARTnews . October 4, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015637/https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/nan-goldin-makes-guest-appearance-hbos-deuce-11081/ . live .
  30. Web site: Nan Goldin makes a cameo on HBO show The Deuce . Moses . Jeanette D. . October 3, 2018 . Popular Photography . October 4, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015621/https://www.popphoto.com/nan-goldin-makes-cameo-on-hbo-show-deuce/ . live .
  31. Web site: The Deuce: Season 1 . Metacritic . September 8, 2017 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015625/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-deuce/season-1 . live .
  32. Web site: The Deuce: Season 1 . Rotten Tomatoes . September 8, 2017 . November 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171126133634/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_deuce/s01 . live .
  33. Web site: 'The Deuce': TV Review . The Hollywood Reporter . Daniel . Fienberg . August 25, 2017 . September 1, 2017 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015622/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/deuce-review-1032504 . live .
  34. Web site: The Deuce review – David Simon's 70s porn saga is a dazzling achievement . The Guardian . Charles . Bramesco . August 28, 2017 . September 1, 2017 . September 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170903085502/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/aug/28/porn-the-deuce-review-david-simon-70s-new-york . live .
  35. Web site: The Deuce: Season 2 . Metacritic . September 8, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015641/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-deuce/season-2 . live .
  36. Web site: The Deuce: Season 2 . Rotten Tomatoes . September 8, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015623/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_deuce/s02 . live .
  37. Web site: HBO's The Deuce Feels Newly Relevant in Second Season . RogerEbert.com . Allison . Shoemaker . September 7, 2018 . September 8, 2018 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015634/https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/hbos-the-deuce-feels-newly-relevant-in-second-season . live .
  38. Web site: The Deuce : Season 3 . Metacritic . September 11, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015626/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-deuce/season-3 . live .
  39. Web site: The Deuce: Season 3 . Rotten Tomatoes . September 11, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015646/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_deuce/s03 . live .
  40. Web site: 'The Deuce' Review: Season 3 Ends a Magnificent Story Only Television Could Tell . IndieWire . Ben . Travers . September 9, 2019 . September 11, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115015624/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/the-deuce-season-3-review-hbo-1202171960/ . live .
  41. Web site: Sunday cable ratings: 'The Deuce' starts off on par with 'The Night Of' . https://web.archive.org/web/20170913225242/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-sept-10-2017/ . dead . September 13, 2017 . Porter . Rick . September 13, 2017 . TV by the Numbers . September 13, 2017.
  42. Web site: Golden Globes: Big Little Lies, FEUD, Fargo, This Is Us and The Handmaid's Tale Lead TV Nominations . TVLine . Matt Webb . Mitovich . December 11, 2017 . December 12, 2017 . March 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190331190345/https://tvline.com/2017/12/11/golden-globe-nominations-2018-globes-awards-nominees/ . live .
  43. News: Sandberg . Bryn Elise . 'The Crown,' 'Dunkirk' Among Locations Managers Guild International Awards Nominees . February 23, 2018 . The Hollywood Reporter . February 22, 2018 . February 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230736/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/crown-dunkirk-locations-managers-guild-international-awards-nominees-1087407 . live .
  44. Web site: 'Dunkirk,' 'The Shape of Water' Lead Satellite Award Nominations . IndieWire . Steve . Pond . November 29, 2017 . December 12, 2017 . November 30, 2017 . https://archive.today/20171130124630/https://www.thewrap.com/dunkirk-the-shape-of-water-lead-satellite-award-nominations/ . live .
  45. Web site: Writers Guild Award TV Nominations: 'The Americans,' 'Handmaid's Tale,' 'GLOW' Grab Multiple Mentions . Vatiety . Cynthia . Littleton . December 7, 2017 . December 12, 2017 . December 8, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003539/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/writers-guild-award-tv-nominations-americans-handmaids-tale-glow-1202632895/ . live .
  46. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . VES Awards Nominations: 'Avengers', 'Lost In Space' Lead Pack . Deadline Hollywood . January 15, 2019 . January 15, 2019 . January 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116050021/https://deadline.com/2019/01/2019-ves-awards-nominees-full-list-visual-effects-society-nominations-1202535253/ . live .
  47. Web site: Artios Awards: 'Succession,' 'Pose,' 'Dead to Me' Among Casting Society TV, Theater Nominees . Hillary . Lewis . September 24, 2019 . . February 2, 2020 . July 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200701112314/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/casting-society-tv-theatre-artios-awards-nominations-complete-list-1242878 . live .