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cover story Wrap it up ‘The Deuce’ returns for its third and final season TV Media T here’s nothing worse than a sudden cancellation. When a show ends abruptly, fans are left wishing and wondering, but a slow, deliberate ending can leave us satisfied in a way that enhances the series, even if we’re sad it’s over. Starting Monday, Sept. 9, fans of the HBO series “The Deuce” can begin to experience that slow wind down. Season 3 is its last, and knowing that beforehand has given its showrunners a chance to offer their audience a conclusion that feels natural. “The Deuce,” named after slang for a section of Manhat- tan’s 42nd St. that was once considered the city’s red-light district, depicts the eclectic community of that section of New York City during the 1970s. It’s creators, David Simon and George Pelecanos, are best known for creating the HBO megahit “The Wire,” and the stars of the series are no less qualified. The show stars Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Hon- ourable Woman”) and James Franco (“The Disaster Artist,” 2017) as two (well, three, actually) people living their lives in and around New York’s seedy underbelly from the early 1970s onwards. I say three be- cause Franco plays twins. Other cast members have been promoted this season, going from smaller recurring roles to regulars as the timeline of “The Deuce” jumps ahead several years and new charac- ters emerge as central figures. Among those receiving meatier roles are Olivia Luccardi (“It Follows,” 2014) and David Krumholtz (“Hail, Caesar!,” 2016), who play the young es- cort Melissa and director Har- vey Wasserman, respectively. The supporting cast of “The Deuce” is strong from top to bottom (a trademark of David Simon’s television shows), but the leads have received special attention for their performances in the show’s first two seasons. Gyllenhaal 2 | Screentime Olivia Luccardi in “The Deuce” cellent, original character than plays Eileen “Candy” Merrell, for the technical prowess of his a former street hustler who work. Franco plays twin broth- eventually gets involved in the ers Vincent and Frankie Mar- production of, well, unsavory films. Candy’s arc has been one tino in the show. Vincent began the series as a down-on-his- of self-improvement and per- luck bartender working long sonal discovery, as she fought hours to provide for his family. her way up from the gutter to His brother, Frankie, is more of a job that has a new sense of a loose cannon; he’s a gambler legitimacy (but also poses new and occasional scam artist who risks and challenges). It’s no surprise that the hard-working, has ties to the mob. In Seasons 1 and 2, the Oscar-nominated actress has brothers saw their fortunes rise received constant, glowing as they took advantage of their praise for her portrayal of Can- mob connections (sometimes dy — she was also nominated reluctantly) and got involved in the Best Actress category at in bar ownership and broth- the 75th Golden Globe Awards els. The Vincent and Frankie last year. Franco has also been praised characters have been criticized for being stereotypical “New for his performance in “The York guy” caricatures, but Deuce,” but in his case, it has Franco has received almost been less for rendering an ex- September 4, 2019 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald universal acclaim for his dual performances, which regularly require him to act in scenes with only himself. His ability to perform in a convincing man- ner opposite thin air (that is subsequently filled in by seam- less CGI) has captured the at- tention of fans and critics alike. Several years ago, after the finale of the first season of “The Deuce,” multiple members of the cast and creative team indicated that the show had a roughed-out narrative de- signed to last for three seasons. Back then, the future of the series was in doubt, and there was no guarantee it would be renewed enough times to make it to its natural conclusion — HBO isn’t above canceling critically acclaimed shows when the ratings aren’t there, and ratings for “The Deuce” have never been par- ticularly strong. Instead of the twists, turns and cliffhangers that propel so many shows to must-watch status, “The Deuce” simply depicts the lives of its characters in a realistic, believable way and allows the narrative to play out naturally. In the end, HBO allowed the show to run its full course, and audiences can expect a solid, thought-out conclusion instead of the abrupt or scattershot ending that can plague shows canceled before their time. The third season of “The Deuce” will replicate the five-year timeline jump that occurred between Seasons 1 and 2. The show’s first season was set in the early 1970s, the second played out five years later, and this one takes us five more years into the future to the start of the 1980s. The season finale of Season 2 hinted at the goals of the final season when Harvey gave Candy a preview of an emerg- ing form of technology: the VCR. The final season will look at the impact of that technology. It will also take a look at the emer- gence of HIV and AIDS in New York City in the early 1980s, and the devastating toll the epidem- ic took on New York’s LGBTQ community. You can also expect the show to delve into the early ‘80s cocaine trade. “The Deuce” begins its final season on Monday, Sept. 9, on HBO.