The Deuce: What Kind of Bad?
October 10, 2017 9:29 AM - Season 1, Episode 5 - Subscribe
Both Candy and Paul push forward into their futures in spite of setbacks. Darlene takes a vacation and comes back with a friend. Sandra starts pursuing her connections, Vincent demurs on the cathouse, college life bores Abby, and Bobby is at a crossroads.
The scene between Candy and Rodney is beautiful; they both walk a fine line and turn it around perfectly at just the right moment.
We're also seeing a parallel between Darlene and Abby: they both have other, safer lives they could be living, but instead they're drawn to this seedy stretch of 42nd Street. I suspect Abby is going to get burnt, and soon.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:39 AM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
We're also seeing a parallel between Darlene and Abby: they both have other, safer lives they could be living, but instead they're drawn to this seedy stretch of 42nd Street. I suspect Abby is going to get burnt, and soon.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:39 AM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
Up until now I thought of Darlene as a sympathetic character. That she uses her "vacation" to lure another woman to the street was not what I was expecting. But I did definitely get the outsider vibe at that breakfast. She doesn't have enough in common with these people anymore. Despite being young, she's immersed enough in the world of 42nd street that she can't leave. Darlene's return is Abby's first experience with the reality of this world. By returning, Darlene rejects being a victim. She clearly CHOSE to return knowing exactly what that means.
posted by miss-lapin at 11:34 AM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by miss-lapin at 11:34 AM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
The scene between Candy and Rodney is beautiful; they both walk a fine line and turn it around perfectly at just the right moment.
It feels gross to even write this, but I love the interactions between the pimps and their workers. We've had one scene between CC and Ashley with violence, but for the most part, the pimps manipulate their women -- affection, disapproval, paternalism. The pimps are rational capitalist bosses, trying to get as much labor out of their workers as possible. It feels very intentional. I don't think Rodney even believes that Candy is such an asset as much as he wants to minimize the threat of her independence. She's a competitor that he could just buy out.
And, so Darlene must have gotten permission from Larry to go back home, and then he entrusted her with picking a new girl. Or maybe bring new talent back was the price of her vacation. To continue Larry's ballplayer metaphor, Darlene got bumped up to scout instead of just player.
One thing that I get from Simon's shows is the sense of inevitability of fate for many of the characters.
I think, for Simon, fate is the capitalist system and that that survival always requires corruption.
On less important matters, I love Larry Gilliard, but his afro and sideburns are the worst makeup/costuming I've seen on this show. I have a hard time taking his character seriously wearing those.
posted by gladly at 12:36 PM on October 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
It feels gross to even write this, but I love the interactions between the pimps and their workers. We've had one scene between CC and Ashley with violence, but for the most part, the pimps manipulate their women -- affection, disapproval, paternalism. The pimps are rational capitalist bosses, trying to get as much labor out of their workers as possible. It feels very intentional. I don't think Rodney even believes that Candy is such an asset as much as he wants to minimize the threat of her independence. She's a competitor that he could just buy out.
And, so Darlene must have gotten permission from Larry to go back home, and then he entrusted her with picking a new girl. Or maybe bring new talent back was the price of her vacation. To continue Larry's ballplayer metaphor, Darlene got bumped up to scout instead of just player.
One thing that I get from Simon's shows is the sense of inevitability of fate for many of the characters.
I think, for Simon, fate is the capitalist system and that that survival always requires corruption.
On less important matters, I love Larry Gilliard, but his afro and sideburns are the worst makeup/costuming I've seen on this show. I have a hard time taking his character seriously wearing those.
posted by gladly at 12:36 PM on October 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't think you have to feel bad for appreciating the pimp conversations. We saw similar dynamics in The Wire when liking Bubbles, or Stringer's management techniques, or heck, Wallace, and I'm pretty sure we're going to start seeing people who want to get out but can't.
posted by rhizome at 2:24 PM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 2:24 PM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm slightly proud of myself for recognizing "The Loft," the venue for the dance scene. Last summer I read a classic gay novel, Dancer From The Dance by Andrew Holleran, which is set during this same time period. I wanted to explore more of the music from that world, and even posted an AskMe here for suggestions, which led me to online playlists based on two out of print album collections from DJ David Mancuso. As soon as I heard "Rain" in the show here I knew they meant the scene to be at The Loft. And the DJ shown later even looks like Mancuso.
I love that they're including this part of the gay world of the time.
posted by dnash at 8:28 PM on October 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
I love that they're including this part of the gay world of the time.
posted by dnash at 8:28 PM on October 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
This show is so good right now and I don't want anyone not named "Maggie Gyllenhaal" to win the Emmy next year.
posted by Mothlight at 10:45 PM on October 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Mothlight at 10:45 PM on October 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
One thing that I get from Simon's shows is the sense of inevitability of fate for many of the characters. Candy towards making porn, Vincent pushed from running a bar into more illegal ventures despite his best efforts.
Enjoying the show, though even its strongest moments don't quite live up to The Wire. But still compelling enough to keep watching.
posted by jzb at 3:30 AM on October 11, 2017 [1 favorite]