Ep 5. What Kind of Bad?

What Kind of Bad? - Episode 5 of The Deuce season 1 is a character-driven episode that takes a closer look at the different kinds of "bad" that exist in the show's world of sex, drugs, and violence. This installment focuses on the internal struggles of some of the main characters and shows how their past traumas and present decisions impact their actions.

We see Candy, one of the show's central characters, dealing with the aftermath of her latest porn shoot. She's confronted with the harsh reality of the industry, as her director insists on cutting corners and pushing boundaries. Candy's frustration with the lack of agency in her own career is palpable, and we're given a glimpse into the sexism and exploitation inherent in the business.

Meanwhile, Vincent struggles with his own demons, as he struggles to balance his double life. We see him trying to make amends with Abby, the woman he's been seeing on the side, but their relationship is complicated by his involvement with the mob. This episode also shows another side of Vincent, as we see him try to be a better father to his children, even as his line of work puts them in danger.

The episode is not short of its moments of drama. We see Reggie Love, a pornographer and a pimp, trying to maintain control over his business as the police crackdown on the sex trade. His desperation leads him to make some dangerous decisions that will have consequences for everyone around him.

At the same time, Officer Chris Alston, who's been struggling with the moral ambiguities of his job, sees a glimmer of hope as he tries to help a young black man, Leon, get off the streets. The episode shows the institutional racism of the police force at the time, as Alston must deal with a racist and corrupt superior. Despite these obstacles, he's determined to help Leon and make a difference.

The show does an excellent job of diving into the complexities of power dynamics, particularly around race and gender. We see how Candy, who's a woman from a working-class background, is often marginalized in the porn industry, even as she tries to assert her own agency. Her experience is contrasted with that of Harvey, a male director who's able to manipulate and exploit his actresses with ease.

The Deuce season 1 episode 5 is a nuanced exploration of the different shades of bad that exist in the show's world. It's a character-driven episode that gives us insight into the internal struggles of the main players. Despite its bleak subject matter, the episode also has moments of warmth and hope, as we see characters grapple with difficult choices and try to do the right thing in a world that's corrupt and dangerous. Overall, it's a well-crafted and compelling piece of television that leaves us eager to see what comes next.