The Deuce

Network: HBO.
Episodes: 25 (hour).
Seasons: Three.

TV show dates: September 10, 2017 — October 28, 2019.
Series status: Ended.

Performers include: James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Carr, Margarita Levieva, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr., Dominique Fishback, Emily Meade, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Chris Bauer, Chris Coy, Natalie Paul, Sepideh Moafi, Kayla Foster, and Michael Rispoli.

TV show description:
A fictional historical drama, inspired by real-life twins who would go on to operate business fronts for the Gambino family, The Deuce TV show centers on the rise of modern-day pornography in 1970s New York City. The cast of characters includes bartenders, pimps and prostitutes, police officers, and party people.

Flourishing barkeep Vincent Martino (Franco) is something of a promotional wiz. Despite his reluctance, Gambino captain Rudy Pipilo (Rispoli) involves him in the sex trade. Soon thereafter, Vince begins a challenging relationship with NYU dropout, Abby Parker (Levieva).

Vince’s identical twin, gambler Frankie Martino (Franco), has never shied away from accepting his brother’s help. He too finds himself growing more and more involved in Pipilo’s business. Similarly, their brother-in-law, Bobby (Bauer), thinks Vincent’s connections might help him improve outlook more quickly than simply working hard as a Brooklyn construction foreman.

A single mother whose son is being raised by her suburban parents, Candy (Gyllenhaal) is a hooker who refuses to cooperate with the local pimps. In the growing porn industry, Candy sees great potential for a new means to make a living, and she is not alone.

Although a hotheaded man, pimp Larry Brown (Akinnagbe) primarily uses intimidation to control his stable of prostitutes, including Darline (Fishback), Loretta (Moafi), and Barbara (Foster). Meanwhile, Minnesota native Lori falls in with the charming but brutal C.C. (Carr).

While second-guessing his superior officers is not new to Chris Alston (Gilliard), working the Midtown beat has really made him wonder if it is futile to police sex workers, since the demand is so high. When the brass orders him to ignore the section of his precinct just west of Times Square, Alston has more questions than ever. It’s not long before he teams up with reporter Sandra Washington (Paul) whose curiosity matches his own.

Finally, there is Paul (Chris Coy), who Vince “inherits” with his business. In the wake of the Stonewall uprising, Paul has been exploring the early “out” culture of gay New York and aspires to run his own nightclub. These characters cross paths at a time when streetwalkers dream of becoming stars in their own right, as pornography production takes a bold bite out of the Big Apple.

Series Finale:
Episode #25 — Finish It
Big changes come to The Deuce as Gene sees opportunity in the city’s public health crisis; Vincent looks to get out from under the mob’s thumb and makes peace with Abby; Candy makes a critical choice in her relationship with Hank.
First aired: October 28, 2019.

What do you think? Do you like The Deuce TV series? Should this TV show have ended  or been renewed for a fourth season on HBO?