Themes explored include navigating a culture of extreme misogyny, government and police corruption, the violence of the drug epidemic, and the real-estate booms and busts that coincided with the change.

Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino become fronts for the Mafia while operating out of Times Square, which is also the home of Eileen "Candy" Merrell, a street-level prostitute who exits the dangers of the street by entering the legal emerging porn industry as an actress and director.

[11] The Deuce was envisioned as a three-season series by creators David Simon and George Pelecanos, with each season taking place in a different time during the rise of the porn industry in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s.

[12][13] Marc Henry Johnson, an assistant locations manager on Treme, introduced Simon and Pelecanos to a man in New York City who told them vivid accounts from his stint as a mob front for bars and massage parlors in 1970s Manhattan.

"[14] After suggestions from cast member Emily Meade, the series brought on Alicia Rodis as an intimacy coordinator, to help the actors during sex scenes, making sure they all felt safe and nobody was distressed.

"[32] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a highly positive review, praising its ensemble cast, and wrote in conclusion, "Simon and Pelecanos are just beginning to put the machinery of The Deuce into motion in these eight episodes.

"[33] Charles Bramesco of The Guardian gave it a five star review and wrote, "Simon has created his most accessible work of humanism to date, and he's done so without sacrificing his loftier ambitions of societal critique.

The site's critical consensus is, "The Deuce's excellent character-driven drama returns with even more immersive world-building and a welcome focus on its leading ladies, carried by a tour de force performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal.

"[36] Allison Shoemaker for RogerEbert.com gave it a highly positive review, and wrote "Simon and Pelecanos seem to have hit their stride with this particular story, expertly balancing character-driven storytelling with a wide-angle view of the social, economic, political, cultural, sexual, and gendered dynamics of the era.

The site's critical consensus is, "Visually rich and utterly human, what narrative stream The Deuce loses in its final season is more than made up for in its depth of character and world building.