So tempting to throw a comparison to "The Wire" in early doors here. Whilst it's too early to say whether David Simon's show will go on to match his illustrious predecessor - this first season is a major step in the right direction.
Much like "The Wire" the show focuses on an area rather than a character. This time though, rather than Baltimore it's a much more specific area of Manhattan that gets our attention. "The Deuce" area was, in the 70's a focal point for the sleazier appetites of the city that never sleeps. Prostitutes and pimps inhabit the streets outside what were, at the start of the show, illicit porno theatres and peep shows. The story tells multiple stories from people on all sides of this situation, where the laws surrounding the industries are murky, and only increase in ambiguousness which the show explores.
Despite the shows excellent sprawling storyline, somehow managing to facilitate 30 odd fleshed out characters, each with something going on, and the pretty solidly done period setting, the explicit nature of the sex scenes, particularly in the earlier episodes is almost certainly going to turn away a high number of the audience. It's not titillation though, these scenes are not enjoyable, but rather highlight the inherent depression of sex without love, or even respect,
Everything else though, is spot on. Performances from the reliable TV cast as well as the sprinkling of Hollywood are universally excellent, it's a show that will hopefully make some stars out of some of the less well known talent. But the shows real star is David Simon. Future seasons will let us know whether "The Deuce" follows "The Wire" to classic status but for now it's off to an excellent start.
Much like "The Wire" the show focuses on an area rather than a character. This time though, rather than Baltimore it's a much more specific area of Manhattan that gets our attention. "The Deuce" area was, in the 70's a focal point for the sleazier appetites of the city that never sleeps. Prostitutes and pimps inhabit the streets outside what were, at the start of the show, illicit porno theatres and peep shows. The story tells multiple stories from people on all sides of this situation, where the laws surrounding the industries are murky, and only increase in ambiguousness which the show explores.
Despite the shows excellent sprawling storyline, somehow managing to facilitate 30 odd fleshed out characters, each with something going on, and the pretty solidly done period setting, the explicit nature of the sex scenes, particularly in the earlier episodes is almost certainly going to turn away a high number of the audience. It's not titillation though, these scenes are not enjoyable, but rather highlight the inherent depression of sex without love, or even respect,
Everything else though, is spot on. Performances from the reliable TV cast as well as the sprinkling of Hollywood are universally excellent, it's a show that will hopefully make some stars out of some of the less well known talent. But the shows real star is David Simon. Future seasons will let us know whether "The Deuce" follows "The Wire" to classic status but for now it's off to an excellent start.