The Deuce

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 10, 2017
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
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Critic Reviews

  1. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Nick Allen
    Nov 29, 2017
    50
    The Deuce can’t hold all of its many pieces together, despite the pockets of strong writing and performances, making viewers bounce around a visceral world with just not enough emotional gravity.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best TV Season of 2017
44
#44 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
46
#46 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 170 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 142 out of 170
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 170
  3. Negative: 16 out of 170
  1. cajun67
    Sep 25, 2017
    3
    I really want to love this show. Cast in the early 1970's, it's a show about New Jersey pimps, hookers, mobsters, seedy bars, and porn. ItI really want to love this show. Cast in the early 1970's, it's a show about New Jersey pimps, hookers, mobsters, seedy bars, and porn. It features an A-list cast, including James Franco and Maggie Gylenhall. It should be the best thing on television.

    Sadly, it's not. It's actually kind of boring. The one thing they forgot to add in was the tension. The hookers who all work the same street corner and compete for the same johns are the best of friends. The pimps hang out together in the bar and debate the best ways to run their women. James Franco and his twin brother, James Franco, have very opposite personalities, but instead of this creating tension between them they're constantly forgiving each other and grinning like idiots at each other. Cops rounding up the hookers seems like a bad thing -- until they get to the jail, and the arresting office orders Chinese food for all of the girls, which they sit out on the back patio and eat.

    Every conflict seems to get resolved in the same episode. There is no tension arising from ongoing conflict.

    And watching the show, you might think that hooking on a New Jersey street corner is a viable career option. It's not so bad! Some girls even get hired just to watch movies instead of having sex! Maybe if this show had been set in the 80's, the girls would be asking their pimps for health insurance and 401k's.

    I'm three episodes in. Based on what I've seen so far, I just can't recommend this show.    … Full Review »
  2. DamnedThing
    Sep 13, 2017
    9
    Loving this so far - one episode in. It really does bring me back to that time when even the grit had grit, the music had soul, and everyoneLoving this so far - one episode in. It really does bring me back to that time when even the grit had grit, the music had soul, and everyone had a story to sell. Most TV and movies don't get as close to this to capturing the feel of those years, there's too much gentrified shine and the gloss of nostalgia for them to ring true. The Deuce feels dirty and unpleasant, but it's an absolute joy to watch that era come alive with stories and individuals worth spending time with. This is the closest David Simon has come to creating a world that exists at the edge of civil society since The Wire.… Full Review »
  3. LamontRaymond
    Sep 10, 2017
    9
    Really good first episode - it's great seeing ALL the actors from The Wire on board, and the writing is especially good. Maggie G isReally good first episode - it's great seeing ALL the actors from The Wire on board, and the writing is especially good. Maggie G is excellent in her part.… Full Review »
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