Ep 1. Our Raison d'Etre

The Deuce season 2 episode 1, titled "Our Raison d'Etre," picks up where the first season left off, continuing its exploration of the gritty and exploitative world of New York's Times Square district in the 1970s. The episode opens with a sequence that beautifully captures the decay and decline of the area, setting the tone for what's to come.

The season's sophomore outing follows many of the familiar faces from season 1, including Maggie Gyllenhaal's Candy who is now an increasingly successful pornographic film director. Meanwhile, James Franco's twin brothers Vincent and Frankie continue to try and navigate the tricky world of bar ownership, with the former struggling to come to terms with the brothel he's currently running upstairs. As he tries to find a way to get out from under the pimps who run the sex workers in the building, Vincent finds himself drawn into a new and potentially dangerous partnership with a local gangster.

Elsewhere, the show continues to explore the lives of the various men and women who are perpetually caught up in the world of the sex trade. Dominique Fishback's Darlene, for example, is now trying to forge a career as a performer in the porn industry, while Emily Meade's Lori is increasingly disillusioned with the life she's chosen. As the episode unfolds, we see glimpses of the emotional and physical toll that the work is taking on these characters, with Meade, in particular, turning in a heartbreakingly nuanced performance.

Given that much of the show's first season was spent setting the stage for the world we're now inhabiting, it's perhaps unsurprising that "Our Raison d'Etre" feels less like a self-contained episode and more like the opening chapter of a complex and multi-layered novel. But that's not to say there aren't moments of tension and drama scattered throughout the hour. A scene in which Vincent finds himself at the mercy of a vengeful pimp is particularly well-handled, while a late-episode reveal regarding one of the show's key characters is sure to set tongues wagging.

As with season 1, the show's creative team has gone to great lengths to create a sense of place and time that feels authentic and immersive. The costumes, music, and set design are all top-notch, and the show continues to impress with its attention to detail. The era may be long gone, but The Deuce makes it feel alive and tangible.

Despite its at times unflinching portrayal of the sex industry, there's a sense that The Deuce is a show with a big heart. These characters may be caught up in a world of exploitation and danger, but there's a sense that they're all searching for something more meaningful. In the case of Candy, that means trying to create films that are both sexually explicit and artistically valid, while Vincent is desperate to provide a more stable life for his family.

Overall, "Our Raison d'Etre" is a promising start to the season that should please the show's existing fanbase. With strong performances, excellent craftsmanship, and a willingness to tackle complex and challenging subjects, The Deuce continues to be one of the most engrossing dramas on television.