The Deuce - Season 2, Episode 01: Our Raison d'Etre
Trailer
In an exciting and dramatic atmosphere, this series takes a deep look behind the life in New York City during the 1970s and '80s when the porn and many wrongdoings were spreaded so much. At the beginning of this season we see Vincent doing so well in the management of his new night club, Club 366. Also, his girl friend Abby helps him on this. But he may get in troubles because of his brother who borrows money from a sex emporium to pay off his debts.
It's a lively premiere, even though precious little happens in it. Season One did such a good job establishing these people and this world that all we really need is to be thrown back into the middle of it for a while to get re-acclimated.
The Deuce, improbably, is Simon and Pelecanos' version of Cheers. This rotten city is the bar where everyone knows David Simon's name... and god damn it; I want them to know my name too.
[The Deuce] didn't flash its fangs all that much, but after this big a time jump -- a whopping five years -- we got an enjoyable [premiere] that gave us a tour of everyone's new life.
There isn't a whole lot of story to "Our Raison d'Être," but it's propelled forward by the search for Frankie and the overriding sensation that change is the only thing any of these people can count on.
Staying true to the character-study nature of the series, not a lot - aside from a time jump to 1977 and some slick disco moves - happened. Which is not to say that the episode... was boring.
Though a little narratively clunky, it's a clever gambit that's all but necessary for The Deuce, a show that depends on complete immersion into the ins and outs of various establishments.
