The Deuce

:

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

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  1. 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 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 joyLoving 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.… Expand
  2. HarryNuggets
    Oct 22, 2017
    8
    I always sit up when Simon comes out with something new. I've only watched the first episode so far. It promises to offer the sort of 19th century social realism which made, at least for me, The Wire one of the most gripping things ever to hit the small screen. I find myself, at the start of the new series feeling something very similar to my initial reaction to that masterpiece. ThisI always sit up when Simon comes out with something new. I've only watched the first episode so far. It promises to offer the sort of 19th century social realism which made, at least for me, The Wire one of the most gripping things ever to hit the small screen. I find myself, at the start of the new series feeling something very similar to my initial reaction to that masterpiece. This is something you slowly sink into, like a swamp. Many of the characters come off, at first glance, as repulsive. I suspect they will deepen and you will find yourself more ambivalent as the story progresses.… Expand
  3. PrettyGood
    Nov 7, 2017
    9
    The first season of The Deuce is one of the finest hours you'll see on television this year. The atmosphere, the ensemble, the writing and the directing are top-notch. The cast, led by Gyllenhaal (who shines in it), offers you a thrilling experience.

    (A must-watch for fans of The Wire.)
  4. 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 is excellent in her part.
  5. Opinionated75
    Sep 19, 2017
    7
    After two episodes, I can state the following: 1) The acting is uniformly excellent, 2) the directorial styles differ markedly, 3) some of the slang is wildly anachronistic ("do me a solid"), 4) the incorporation of stock footage is sometimes painfully obvious, and 5) in typical HBO fashion, the show glorifies low-life scum. I'll stay with it for a while to see how it develops, but if itAfter two episodes, I can state the following: 1) The acting is uniformly excellent, 2) the directorial styles differ markedly, 3) some of the slang is wildly anachronistic ("do me a solid"), 4) the incorporation of stock footage is sometimes painfully obvious, and 5) in typical HBO fashion, the show glorifies low-life scum. I'll stay with it for a while to see how it develops, but if it becomes too dark and depressing in a cynical bid for importance, there are plenty of other worthy shows to take its place.… Expand
  6. jonnybgoode
    Sep 13, 2017
    7
    The show's writing is good, but so far it is overshadowed, not by pornography, but by disturbing negativism, depression, and pornographic violence. The Wire certainly had subjects of darkness, but that was balanced by folks who were driven to make sense of the mess around them. I am hopeful that the side of the Wire that received rave reviews with come forward in later episodes.
  7. thelol
    Oct 15, 2017
    10
    Excellent show; the writing, acting, and especially directing are all great. The 70's New York vibe really sucks you into the era just like taxi driver did back in the real 70s. Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance is one of a kind, you know what she thinks and feels from her facial expressions. James Franco is also great as two twin brothers. It's also cool to see actors from The Wire.
  8. ALIREZA13
    Oct 27, 2017
    9
    The Deuce is probably the best new show of the 2017 fall TV season, with superb acting, punchy writing, expert production design, great music, and a storytelling flair that keeps you watching. That said, The Deuce may also make you feel a bit queasy.In The Deuce, producer David Simon tries to do for the sex trade and 1970s evolution of pornography what "The Wire" did for drugs.
  9. gxm143
    Oct 23, 2017
    8
    No Wire, but very well done. Franco's split-part acting is impressive. The show should have a warning for men though: don't expect your lady to be in the mood for romance after the down and dirty sex scenes. I even feel like I need a shower.
  10. eva3si0n
    Nov 15, 2018
    10
    It is one of the best series about the 70th years in the USA. An era, excellent acting and a simple realistic plot is perfectly transferred. Watching The Deuce you understand that before you a real story which is perfectly transferred. Despite almost full absence the action of scenes, each series literally forces you without coming off to look further and further. And though in 1 seasonIt is one of the best series about the 70th years in the USA. An era, excellent acting and a simple realistic plot is perfectly transferred. Watching The Deuce you understand that before you a real story which is perfectly transferred. Despite almost full absence the action of scenes, each series literally forces you without coming off to look further and further. And though in 1 season origin of a porn of the industry only arises, it brightly lets know that the 2nd season will be more considerable more interestingly. David Simon shows again that the real history which is finished shooting with the maximum nearness to realism is much more interesting than the majority modern "extremely topical and fascinating" series.… Expand
  11. ZGiSH
    Oct 4, 2018
    8
    If you're looking for The Wire except set in the 70's and instead of drugs, it's women being pushed; this ain't it. There is certainly a lack of interpersonal tension and what few deaths happens in the show are played out flat and not too dramatic. The Deuce is about tension in society with the showrunners tackling all manner of "moral decay" and the evolution of the **** trade'. It's S2If you're looking for The Wire except set in the 70's and instead of drugs, it's women being pushed; this ain't it. There is certainly a lack of interpersonal tension and what few deaths happens in the show are played out flat and not too dramatic. The Deuce is about tension in society with the showrunners tackling all manner of "moral decay" and the evolution of the **** trade'. It's S2 of The Wire, with all of its shortcomings yet also with its underrated accomplishments. If you found S2 utterly boring, you will find The Deuce just as boring.

    But for people looking for David Simon doing what he does best, this strays not much further than the quality of Generation Kill or The Wire.    … Expand
  12. AkumaJack
    Mar 20, 2018
    7
    The Deuce succeds in portraying the life of sex workers in a credible and entertaining way. the cast is quite good.
  13. soybeanlogic
    Oct 30, 2017
    9
    Well drawn characters with incredible writing and meticulously researched era-specific details. Nothing like it since the wire ended. If you have the patience for it, I highly recommend it. If you don't have the patience for it, it might be worth it to flex some of those muscles and power through anyway,
  14. TellTheTruth
    Nov 4, 2017
    9
    The actors in this series are terrific when handling their storyline. I almost can feel the pain, fear of the women and men during the late 70s and 80s. This show brings back so many personal memories which explode with true reality. The writing is right on for the period since everything goes in the early 80s. I think its time to strap in because this show is going to take off in theThe actors in this series are terrific when handling their storyline. I almost can feel the pain, fear of the women and men during the late 70s and 80s. This show brings back so many personal memories which explode with true reality. The writing is right on for the period since everything goes in the early 80s. I think its time to strap in because this show is going to take off in the coming season with a huge explosion. Thanks to all the great writers, directors, actors, HBO, asst. for bringing this to us. I am just sad that 8 episodes were allowed for the first season.… Expand
  15. AndreaMonetDogs
    Nov 24, 2017
    7
    watch this. alcohol, sex, drama, cynicism. it has all the great elements of a great show everythione needs to watch. it starts rough and smooths out. i feel like i should recommend it
  16. DavidDaniel
    Dec 22, 2017
    9
    The Deuce is one of the few better dramas premiering this fall. The huge ensemble is great. Every performer makes the most of the limited screen-time they get. The writing and the directing are also great.
  17. geewah
    Jan 29, 2021
    9
    A gritty and at times brutal telling of Times Square, New York in the 1970's and the rise of porn industry.
    Tightly written, and led by some standout performances.
    One of 2017's best shows.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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.
    Read full review
  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Sep 18, 2017
    90
    David Simon and his frequent collaborator, the novelist George Pelecanos, together with writers such as Megan Abbott, have made a show that is quietly transformative. ... In many ways, The Deuce is a classic David Simon.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 14, 2017
    90
    Vividly teeming with tragicomic life and reeking of desperation, danger and moral decay, the series takes a while to build an actual story--a common trait nowadays in high-minded long-form TV Narratives--but by the end of the first eight hours, an decriminalized porn becomes big business, you'll surely want to know what happens next. [18 Sep - 1 Oct 2017, p.27]
See all critic reviews »