S02.E03: Seven-Fifty

[LoveLeigh]

It is Los Angeles, a glamorous new city and porn is taken more seriously. 

[txhorns79]

This episode offered a helpful reminder for anyone who felt bad for Cece as he becomes more and more displaced in the world of sex work.  No matter what, he's still a violent misogynist whose main goal is keeping "his" women in their place. 

[LoveLeigh]

This page is as silent as one hand clapping. It could be an indication of this season's ratings and I would speculate that The Deuce will not see a season 3. 

Edited September 27, 2018 by DakotaLavender

[EtheltoTillie]

24 minutes ago, DakotaLavender said:

This page is as silent as one hand clapping. it could be an indication of this season's ratings and I would speculate that The Deuce will not see a season 3. 

Ditto for me.  The show is now a complete snooze, and I skipped most of last night's episode.  They are not making me care.  Maybe no one really wants to see a show about porn stars and production. 

[sistermagpie]

32 minutes ago, DakotaLavender said:

This page is as silent as one hand clapping. it could be an indication of this season's ratings and I would speculate that The Deuce will not see a season 3. 

Pretty sure it's already got a season 3. It's only supposed to go 3 seasons.

[sadie]

I actually liked it. Candys journey remains the most interesting for me. I was really sad she complied w giving that jerk a bj for the $10k. But then she obviously felt okay with it when she got home and stared at the check. Maybe she thought a bj vs sex was the easy way and the money was worth It? I really can’t wait for the day she becomes a successful director and tells them all to go to hell! 

[Mindthinkr]

I know this was on last night but I can’t get it to come up On Demand or on my HBO app. Boo hiss. 

[sugarbaker design]

If you need a master class in acting just watch Maggie Gyllenhall in the scene with the LA producer.  Those few moments between the producer asking for head in return for a 10K deal and Candy giving her answer were amazing.  So many emotions were shown in those scant seconds on MG's face:  revulsion, anger, surprise and ultimately, resignation.

[yellowjacket]

1 hour ago, sadie said:

I actually liked it. Candys journey remains the most interesting for me. I was really sad she complied w giving that jerk a bj for the $10k. But then she obviously felt okay with it when she got home and stared at the check. Maybe she thought a bj vs sex was the easy way and the money was worth It? I really can’t wait for the day she becomes a successful director and tells them all to go to hell! 

I liked it also and I'm really liking this season so far.  I'm not Candy felt so okay with the check though, we'll need to see if she cashes it and uses the money.  Interesting if she does - what happens in Hollywood if the woman accepts the powerful pig's demands is not a commonly discussed topic these days.

I miss spaghetti straps and Qiana fabric.

[The Solution]

I'm enjoying this season. Reminds me of what it was like to go into the City when I was a kid.

[Broderbits]

20 minutes ago, sugarbaker design said:

f you need a master class in acting just watch Maggie Gyllenhall in the scene with the LA producer.

Agreed, but I can't help but feel MG covered much of this material already in Sherrybaby and I didn't have to sit through the boring bar and mobster stuff. This was an interesting episode but I still can't muster much enthusiasm for the series.

[meep.meep]

This is turning into a real chore to watch.  Too many characters.

[DiabLOL]

If Twin James Franco and "Abby" never showed up again I wouldn't even care.

As much as I see problems in the show I found myself able to enjoy it because each story line was mixed in together and relatively short.

I am bored beyond tears with the bar/mobster storyline. I think it would have been better to just focus on that if that's what they wanted to do. I think the problem with the viewership is it's all over the place who this would appeal to. Too many small groups.

Candy's journey is kind of a niche interest. Porn historians would be knowledgeable and interested but is it really an angle something that survived to this day? Is she supposed to be a Nina Hartley type? What I'm saying is it's not like that's what revolutionized porn as we know it today. 

I love the character and MG's acting is breathtaking. Really her reactions when the creep wanted a blow job was incredible. I think she felt disappointed and degraded but remembered she used to do this for way less money and zero opportunities for what she was working towards but then again thats exactly what made it so crushing to her. Even if she refused to have a pimp her days were filled with danger, disrespect and depressing grossness. Now she is trying to rise above all that and is hearing that she's still gonna be seen as "just another whore". She presented this man with her ideas, ideas she's excited about and wants to see made real and he just evaluated the condition of her body/fuckable status. He let her know in no uncertain terms that she was just garbage to him only to be used. I hope this didn't break her and that she can compartmentalize and keep her eyes on the prize. Of course she's gonna cash that check. 

I can't help it I love Larry and Darlene. They help me deal with my rage about what a hateful creep CC is. I'm so worried about Lori. I am still mourning Ruby. I don't want Lori to get the Star 80 treatment or just have her spirit crushed for good. 

[tennisgurl]

Larry and Darlene are weirdly endearing in the way they are trying to adapt to the new sex industry. Maybe they will go into business on their own, doing their own porn movies? 

Poor Lori, I hope things work out for her. Go to LA Lori! Go to LA and dont look back! Her heart sunglasses were so 70s, I want my own pair. She seemed so happy and excited, and then CC had to ruin it. What an asshole.

Candy slowly realizing that she needs to blow the guy to get her movie funded was so sad, but so well acted. She wants to be a real filmmaker, and do something other than sex, but there will always people who just see her as a hooker. She just wants to make art, that has sex in it! And they were all having a really good time at the award show, and its kind of cool how seriously everyone there takes porn, and how truly proud they seem to be. 

Leon gets a standing ovation and a heroes welcome when he gets back from jail, and gets right back to work! 

I dont really care about the mob stuff, or Bobby being a crappy husband and father. I am way more interested in the golden age of the pron industry and that stuff. 

"The Ides of March was yesterday. Uncultured motherfucker." 

[slippity slack]

I really liked this episode. Less time spent on Vincent and Frankie which is an improvement. I found Abby annoying last season but I like the direction she's going in now. The scenes with Ashley were great and I was holding my breath during the encounter with CC.

Lori was compelling and made out better than Candy in LA. Please move to LA!

The mobsters bore me and I am worried that something bad is going to happen to Paul.

[Surrealist]

4 hours ago, DakotaLavender said:

This page is as silent as one hand clapping. it could be an indication of this season's ratings and I would speculate that The Deuce will not see a season 3. 

The Deuce is coming back for Season 3, which will be its final.

 

Season 3 Will Be the Final Season

[Moxie Cat]

And just to add... Simon's plan was for 3 seasons - 1971, 1977/78, and 1985 - so the ratings (or his clout) were good enough for him to get that.

I really like this show and am not ashamed to admit it. Really enjoying the journeys of all the women, though bored with the mob stuff - although historically, they would probably do a disservice by not including it. 

I would guess that Paul makes it to season 3 - he's a good, sympathetic character who provides a unique angle on the show separate from the porn. His partner, on the other hand...

[thuganomics85]

Larry definitely has his own dark side, but I've been enjoying how Gbenga Akinnagbe has been playing his awkward, humorous moments, and his intrigue over possibly going into the porn business himself.  Also liked the insights with and Darlene, and how even in the porn industry, black performers are treated differently compared to the white ones.

Had a feeling that the producer was going to be up to no good, but I thought it was realistic (if sad and frustrating) that Candy would agree to his "proposal", because she's already done possibly worse to keep surviving, and since he actually did keep his word, she's $10,000 closer to making her film.  Still, it was horrible to watch.  Maggie Gyllenhaal was fantastic.

Oh, Lori.  You really need to cut ties with C.C., but I worry for her well-being if/when she does.

Hee, I love Leon's return and everyone giving him an ovation, with the exception of Rodney/Method Man.

Agree that the mafia stuff is the weak parts.  Interesting that despite being the first-billed star, both of James Franco's characters seem to not really play any parts with the main arcs, and are more characters who are just witnessing everything.  Basically, they're the passengers and not the drivers.

Big Mike continues to be one of my new favorite side characters with his "Ides of March" comment.

[BingeyKohan]

Stray thoughts, which are all this season seems to be inspiring in me:

• Loved the opening with Lori and CC in the airport parking lot - his vulnerability was endearing, even though I was already spoiled that he'd un-earn it by the end of the episode
• Maggie G remains a great presence here but the story of an artist struggling to realize her creative vision despite the forces working against her isn't feeling very fresh here, even given the circumstances and context we haven't necessarily seen those stories set in before
• I'm worried about the message on her machine from her mother, needing to talk about her son! 
• I think Jamie Neumann can do amazing work just by remaining (almost) perfectly still - but my fear about the time-jumping they'll presumably continue into season 3 is this: We're basically the john in the peep-show booth, not knowing what's going to be revealed to us when the shade goes up and we get a glimpse inside. What year will it be? How will everybody be doing? The view of Ashley/Dorothy revealed to us so far this season is positive, but my fear is the shade will go up on Season 3 a few years down the road and she might be back exactly where she was in season 1, under CC's thumb. That'd be the most heartbreaking (and possibly realistic) use of the time-jump conceit
• Can't-fight-city-hall plot threads: Boring. Mafia plot threads: Boring. I wonder why they didn't include a POV of someone who enjoys the sex trade from the consumer standpoint, just to show changing attitudes out in the world. All the perspectives are almost too inside.

[Drogo]

23 hours ago, yellowjacket said:

I'm not Candy felt so okay with the check though, we'll need to see if she cashes it and uses the money.  Interesting if she does - what happens in Hollywood if the woman accepts the powerful pig's demands is not a commonly discussed topic these days.

For a second I thought she was going to tear it up, then she just sat back and stared at. 

Probably thinking that while most of the girls she used to trick with have gone from "$30+$10 for the room" to $7.50. or quarters.. she's commanding $10K she can use to get her life and son back.

[nilyank]

While I agree Lori should leave Cece whom she has outgrown, I see nothing but a bad end for her in LA. Drug addiction and even worse, AIDS is around the corner.

I cannot believe that the mob kept sticky fingers Frankie at the peep show place for as long as they did.

[Joimiaroxeu]

"You're the wrong part of the Oreo." Yikes. Great line though.

[txhorns79]

Quote

While I agree Lori should leave Cece whom she has outgrown, I see nothing but a bad end for her in LA. Drug addiction and even worse, AIDS is around the corner.

I see nothing but a bad end for Lori regardless of whether she stays in NYC or goes to LA.  To me, it looks like the only way she avoids a bleak fate is to leave porn/prostitution entirely. 

Quote

Had a feeling that the producer was going to be up to no good, but I thought it was realistic (if sad and frustrating) that Candy would agree to his "proposal", because she's already done possibly worse to keep surviving, and since he actually did keep his word, she's $10,000 closer to making her film.  Still, it was horrible to watch.  Maggie Gyllenhaal was fantastic.

 

She did so much with so little during that scene.  You could see the mental calculations crossing her face when he made the offer, and really, it's a degrading offer, but it's the equivalent today of about $38,000.00 for five or so minutes work.  

[DangerousMinds]

On 9/24/2018 at 12:40 PM, DakotaLavender said:

This page is as silent as one hand clapping. it could be an indication of this season's ratings and I would speculate that The Deuce will not see a season 3. 

Are you still watching?

[LoveLeigh]

1 hour ago, DangerousMinds said:

Are you still watching?

I am watching with one eye. To be honest, I am not paying too much attention to it as it unfolds. Are you still watching? 

[Maysie]

I kind of feel like Lori missed her chance for a break from CC. I don't think he'll ever let her go because she wants to go. She's "famous," and she's earning well. He's not going to give that up - I think he'd kill or disfigure her first. The only way she gets out is either taking a risk when she's a flight away, like she was in LA, or he inevitably grows tired of her when she ages and someone newer and fresher comes along. I guess it's possible Ashley could help her escape CC's clutches, but I think Lori's into her film career, so I don't see her breaking out of the sex business. It could also be that the agent (Fig from OITNB) could "buy" her out from CC, but I don't know about that...

The fact that Frankie seems to be able to use the peep shows as a personal ATM machine doesn't seem very realistic to me. I don't know how long that's been going on, but i can't imagine anyone, including his own brother, allowing it to happen more than once or twice.

The police/political stuff isn't all that interesting to me, however, I can see that it has its place as a background story because I think it helps provide context to the evolution of that part of Manhattan. The first time I went to Manhattan was 1978 on a family trip when I was in high school and Times Square was exactly as shown on the show. It's had quite the evolution and I think it provides an interesting bit of historical context to the main plotlines.

[DangerousMinds]

22 hours ago, DakotaLavender said:

I am watching with one eye. To be honest, I am not paying too much attention to it as it unfolds. Are you still watching? 

Yes, because I'm really enjoying it. What did you think of the first season?

[txhorns79]

Quote

The fact that Frankie seems to be able to use the peep shows as a personal ATM machine doesn't seem very realistic to me. I don't know how long that's been going on, but i can't imagine anyone, including his own brother, allowing it to happen more than once or twice.

Yeah, I didn't really understand how that arrangement would have worked more than once.  The people he associates with don't seem the type to allow someone to repeatedly steal from them. 

[LoveLeigh]

13 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

Yes, because I'm really enjoying it. What did you think of the first season?

I liked the first season. I do not "dislike" this season, I just am not loving it. It's OK. It's just sort of superficial and trite. And I don't find the characters really interesting, they are stereotypes. I am not invested in them and I don't care what happens. If the writers went deeper into the characters lives instead of just showing the filming of the porn movies, I might be more excited. 

[Moxie Cat]

On September 27, 2018 at 7:07 PM, Maysie said:

 

I kind of feel like Lori missed her chance for a break from CC.

 

I agree. I do think that if Lori would have just stayed in LA, and signed with the agent from the last episode, she would have escaped CC. Outside New York, CC has no power. It's not like he has a mob-style network to track his girls down. But Lori has some type of emotional connecton to CC. Maybe over the course of the season, we'll see that breaking (we've had hints). I expect/hope we'll see her in the third season, so I have cautious hope something nasty won't befall her.

[numbnut]

On 9/24/2018 at 12:49 PM, DiabLOL said:

If Twin James Franco and "Abby" never showed up again I wouldn't even care.

As much as I see problems in the show I found myself able to enjoy it because each story line was mixed in together and relatively short.

I am bored beyond tears with the bar/mobster storyline.

Ditto.

I was less enthused about this season and took a break between episodes 2 and 3. The extensive timejump between seasons 1 and 2 was initially disconcerting but now I'm into the show, most of it anyway.

That pause Candy took when she was asked for a blowjob was intense. I thought she might mutilate him. I guess she plans to make her film with $10K checks but she won't see a profit If all the guys want 10% off the back-end (or whatever that d-bag said).

Edited October 1, 2018 by numbnut

[ChicksDigScars]

On 9/25/2018 at 12:51 PM, BingeyKohan said:

Stray thoughts, which are all this season seems to be inspiring in me:

• I think Jamie Neumann can do amazing work just by remaining (almost) perfectly still - but my fear about the time-jumping they'll presumably continue into season 3 is this: We're basically the john in the peep-show booth, not knowing what's going to be revealed to us when the shade goes up and we get a glimpse inside. What year will it be? How will everybody be doing? The view of Ashley/Dorothy revealed to us so far this season is positive, but my fear is the shade will go up on Season 3 a few years down the road and she might be back exactly where she was in season 1, under CC's thumb. That'd be the most heartbreaking (and possibly realistic) use of the time-jump conceit

If the Season Three jump is to 1985, the disco scene is dead, so Vincent's night club is probably done. The AIDS epidemic threatens the sex and porn industry and the gay community.  NYC is going through a clean up and revitalization. The grittiness and trash strewn streets are going to be cleaned up some. I can remember this time period as a kid, and going to visit my Nana in Poughkeepsie for the summer. We'd take a train ride into the city to see a couple shows. My uncle (Nana's younger brother) worked at the Hotel Roosevelt and would let us stay and get us tickets to a couple shows. But, he would ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell us what streets to avoid in and around Times Square, because of the sex workers and the sleeze. 

All I can think is that 1985 jump is going to be the downfall of most of the cast. I'll miss the music from Season Two. I have a soft spot for most of what I'm hearing in the background during these episodes. 70's on 7 is my favorite Sirius station. LOL. 

[BingeyKohan]

38 minutes ago, ChicksDigScars said:

If the Season Three jump is to 1985, the disco scene is dead, so Vincent's night club is probably done. The AIDS epidemic threatens the sex and porn industry and the gay community.  NYC is going through a clean up and revitalization. The grittiness and trash strewn streets are going to be cleaned up some. I can remember this time period as a kid, and going to visit my Nana in Poughkeepsie for the summer. We'd take a train ride into the city to see a couple shows. My uncle (Nana's younger brother) worked at the Hotel Roosevelt and would let us stay and get us tickets to a couple shows. But, he would ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell us what streets to avoid in and around Times Square, because of the sex workers and the sleeze. 

All I can think is that 1985 jump is going to be the downfall of most of the cast. I'll miss the music from Season Two. I have a soft spot for most of what I'm hearing in the background during these episodes. 70's on 7 is my favorite Sirius station. LOL. 

I mentioned in the current episode thread I heard Maggie G speak over the weekend. No spoilers (I'm not withholding any; she didn't even say any!) but she did say season 3 takes place in 1982, rather than '85, as we've been hearing. Possible she misspoke (she said 1982 as a matter of course, rather than making a point of correcting the record). But even in 1982 some of the things we expect to see will be happening. Can't vouch for the music tho : )