HBO’s critically acclaimed The Deuce will conclude its three season run with four new episodes airing in October 2019. The network’s just released plot descriptions for episodes five through the series’ finale, episode eight. The critically acclaimed drama concludes on October 28th with an episode appropriately titled “Finish It.”
The Plot and Season 3 Details:
“Season three of The Deuce brings us into the world of 1985, just as VHS overtakes film as the primary medium for porn production and distribution. The lure of the California sunshine, the city’s aggressive takeover of commercial sex properties in Times Square and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic mark the end of an era.
With the party of the 1970s winding down, 42nd Street has deteriorated into a hive of uncontrolled violent crime and seedy video stores, making urban renewal seem more unlikely than ever before. Following the interconnected lives of Times Square’s barkeeps, prostitutes, pimps, police, mobsters, porn actors and producers, the eight-episode third season of The Deuce brings the series’ arc to a dramatic conclusion.”
Cast and Characters, Courtesy of HBO:
The drama series stars James Franco as both Vincent Martino – who, in season three, finds himself tired, wary and in search of a way out – and his twin Frankie Martino, a seemingly changed man, who is married with children and who continues to flirt with self-destruction; and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Candy, a director struggling to maintain her artistic integrity in an industry that is quickly devolving.
The returning cast also includes Margarita Levieva (Revenge), as Abby, the proprietor of the Hi-Hat and an advocate for Times Square’s artists and denizens who begins to consider life after the Deuce; Emily Meade (The Leftovers) as porn star Lori, now living in Los Angeles and battling addiction while absorbing the porn business’ migration to video-tape and the resulting degradation, and Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. (The Wire) as Chris Alston, now detailed to the Midtown Enforcement Project and partnered with Gene Goldman (Luke Kirby) to realize the city’s plan to rehabilitate Midtown.
Chris Bauer (The Wire) is French Parlor manager Bobby who steadily begins to lose his piece of the lucrative Times Square sex trade; Chris Coy (Banshee) is gay businessman and entrepreneur Paul, who must confront the AIDS epidemic, and Michael Rispoli (The Sopranos) is mob capo Rudy, who leans on the Martino brothers for greater profit amidst infighting.
Season three finds familiar faces who return this season as cast regulars including, David Krumholtz (The Plot Against America) is veteran pornographer Harvey; Daniel Sauli (House of Cards) is Tommy Longo, who’s angling for his own position amidst the Gambino family; Olivia Luccardi (Channel Zero) is Melissa, now an amateur porn actress forced to confront her past, and Sepideh Moafi (Falling Water) is Loretta, a bartender at the Hi-Hat, involved in the feminist anti-porn movement.
The Deuce October 2019 Episodes:
- Season 3, Episode 5: “You Only Get One”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 7 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT)
With his club shuttered, a distraught Vincent (James Franco) follows a lead down a dangerous path. Paul (Chris Coy) reaches out to Tod’s parents. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) battles Harvey (David Krumholtz) over her latest script and reunites with her estranged son, Adam (Dion Costelloe). Lori (Emily Meade) hits the feature dancing circuit with mixed results. Abby (Margarita Levieva) reflects on her choices when she gets an unexpected visitor. Bobby (Chris Bauer) does right by Black Frankie (Thaddeus Street). Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) defends the plan to clean up Midtown. Gene (Luke Kirby) reckons with his conflicted personal life.
Written by Chris Yakaitis; directed by Roxann Dawson. - Season 3, Episode 6: “This Trust Thing”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 14 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT)
In the wake of a personal loss, Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) finds the emotional core of her latest movie. Abby (Margarita Levieva) confronts Vincent (James Franco) after she makes an alarming discovery. Paul (Chris Coy) turns to activism as the AIDS epidemic continues to ravage New York’s gay community. Vincent tips off Rudy (Michael Rispoli) to Tommy’s (Daniel Sauli) disloyalty. Lori (Emily Meade) realizes she’s on her own when both Greg (Ryan Farrell) and Kiki (Alysia Reiner) let her down. Bobby (Chris Bauer) learns why the women who worked for him have abandoned the French Parlor.
Written by Stephani DeLuca; directed by James Franco. - Season 3, Episode 7: “That’s a Wrap”
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 21 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT)
A struggling Lori (Emily Meade) turns to Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) for help before revisiting The Deuce. Candy makes a surprising deal to secure funding for her film. Abby (Margarita Levieva) takes a stand against the latest phase of Midtown redevelopment. After a difficult visit with Mike (Mustafa Shakir), Vincent (James Franco) is approached by a candid Tommy (Daniel Sauli), who explains the new world order. Bobby (Chris Bauer) realizes that times have changed and considers Joey’s (Michael Gandolfini) latest money-making scheme.
Written by George Pelecanos & David Simon; directed by Alex Hall. - Season 3, Episode 8: “Finish It” (Series finale)
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 28 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT)
Big changes come to The Deuce as Gene (Luke Kirby) sees opportunity in the city’s public health crisis. Vincent (James Franco) looks to get out from under the mob’s thumb and makes peace with Abby (Margarita Levieva), who decides to pursue a new future. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) makes a critical choice in her relationship with Hank (Corey Stoll). Harvey (David Krumholtz) speaks his mind about Candy’s film. Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) recognizes the truth of Midtown’s redevelopment. Melissa (Olivia Luccardi) makes a commitment, while Loretta (Sepideh Moafi) takes on a big responsibility.
Written by George Pelecanos & David Simon; directed by Roxann Dawson.
