This The Deuce review contains spoilers.

As it turns out, your backer being the mob is not like having any other landlord.

You know this isnt going to be pretty, but dammit if youre not going to look away.

The one area where the storyline did progress with some titillating possibilities is that of James Francos Vincent.

Which is bully for us, because what inherent conflict is there of a successful bartender?

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As it turns out quite a bit.

They smash up the Hi-Hat with finesse while making a bust as well as a point.

A clientele who could be targeted every night for arrest.

Meanwhile, his success has earned him the attention of the mafia in good and bad ways.

Perhaps Vince should be wary then once the mob gives him supposedly good news: a new opportunity.

My first guess was that we are perhaps one step closer to the birth of a porn studio.

And maybe we are, however that is not Rudys intent.

This series appears determined to slow-walk its entire purpose from being revealed until the season finale.

In the meantime, we are simply witnessing the pieces falling into place.

Speaking of enticing, Vince is warned by Rodney that Abby will run him ragged.

A prospect he is more than happy to pursue.

But one notable exception is that Abby and Darlenes friendship is taking on a dangerous dimension.

The former college student has taken a fondness to offering reading material for Darlene.

And unlike last weeks hour, the actualization of her misery is absolutely repellent tonight… and fairly creative.

This is obvious in the episodes first scene.

And then once inside of her crappy motel room, he has the audacity to die on her mid-job.

Still her misery offers the best scene of the night when Candy goes to visit Ruby in her apartment.

Did this courtesan quit the job?

Find something better to do?

Or was she retired by her daddy for being a bad girl?

Indeed, eachs favorite suede coat might end up being the lonely memento they too could someday leave behind.

Its an ugly business.

… And thats going to happen.

The stage is set, and its closing on a stronger note than last week.

It might be time for the curtain to rise before the rest of the season wraps.

Rating:

3.5 out of 5