Ep 3. Normal Is a Lie

In The Deuce season 3 episode 3, titled "Normal Is a Lie," we continue to follow the characters on their individual journeys as the 1980s give way to the 1990s. The focus in this episode is on normalcy, and what it means to different individuals who are trying to navigate their way through life in a city that is anything but normal.

For Candy, this means trying to make a name for herself in the world of mainstream filmmaking. She is offered a chance to direct a movie for a big production company, but as she delves deeper into the project, she realizes that it might not be everything she thought it would be. Candy is forced to contend with a male-dominated industry and prove that she has what it takes to succeed.

Meanwhile, Lori is attempting to leave behind her past in the porn industry and start a new life as an actress. She moves to Los Angeles and gets a job as a waitress while auditioning for parts. However, she soon realizes that the industry is just as cut-throat and exploitative as the one she left behind in New York. Lori is forced to confront the reality that making it in Hollywood may not be any easier than making it in the porn industry.

Elsewhere, Vincent is struggling to keep his businesses afloat as the economy slows down and competition increases. He is forced to make tough choices in order to keep the lights on, including laying off some of his employees. Vincent is also dealing with his complicated relationship with Abby, who is trying to convince him to settle down and start a family.

At the same time, Paul is grappling with his identity as a gay man. He becomes involved with a new love interest, but finds himself torn between his desire for a normal, domestic life and his attraction to the darker, more taboo aspects of the gay scene. Paul is also dealing with work-related stresses, as he tries to maintain a balance between his role as a manager of a gay bar and his own personal life.

Throughout the episode, we see the characters try to define what normal means to them, and whether or not it is something that is even attainable. They each face their own struggles and challenges, but ultimately come to the conclusion that normal is just another lie that is perpetuated by society. They learn to embrace their individuality and find comfort in the fact that they are not like everyone else.

Overall, The Deuce season 3 episode 3 is an introspective look into the lives of the characters, as they try to navigate their way through life in a city that is anything but normal. It is a poignant reminder that everyone has their own struggle, and that the idea of normalcy is just an illusion that we all try to attain.