The Deuce Season 1 Episode 4: I See Money Review

If you would like to read my review of the last episode, click here.

Synopsis: Rudy dangles a lucrative offer in front of Vincent. Longo uses strong-arm tactics to restore order among Bobby’s unhappy construction workers. Candy attracts unwanted attention and is intrigued by a legitimate suitor. Paul questions his place at the Hi-Hat; Frankie hits a hot streak; Darlene gets a gift from Abby; Alston sees through Sandra. Bristling after a police shakedown, Vincent adds muscle in the person of Black Frankie, a Vietnam War vet. (HBO)

Writers: George Pelecanos and Lisa Lutz 

Director: Alex Hall

Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 59mins

The season started to slow down in the last episode and this was still the case here. After a promising start, the story has stalled and it isn’t immediately clear where it is all going. The lack of compelling characters continues to hurt the series and this change of pace simply exposes this while also making it a chore to watch.

Candy was having some bad luck in this episode with one incident getting her a bad reputation and some unwanted attention that she did not want or need. She was feeling uncomfortable but things start to change for her once she meets a man named Jack (Will Chase). He didn’t know who she really was, however, she was still a little apprehensive, even during their date when she didn’t share much about her own life. After all that, she was not ready to be with a man.

Since Vincent is doing a great job with the bar, Rudy decides to offer him an opportunity in his next big venture. He wants to redevelop The Deuce but his plan was still in its infancy so it isn’t clear what this opportunity would be although Vincent was still intrigued. With Bobby still on the mend, he worked the cheque cashing station at his work. A problem developed when some of the workers no longer wanted to participate. In order to send them a message, one of Rudy’s guys beat up the leader of the dissenters.

After another incident at the bar, the police wanted to shake him down for protection money but instead, he enlists the services of a Vietnam war veteran named Frankie (Thaddeus Street) who Vincent called Black Frankie to avoid confusion with his twin brother Frankie.

It was only inevitable after all the time they spent together (and the fact that the show has been building up their relationship) so Vincent and Abby appeared to have become much more than just friends. During that same time, Abby grew closer to Darlene and after hearing her story about her aunt in Charlotte, she gave her a Greyhound ticket to Charlotte.

While on patrol, Alston wanted to test the “no-go zone” rule by arresting a man for possession but he was immediately released. This sort of corruption shouldn’t come as much of a surprise but it is a little unclear how far it goes. Meanwhile, in her investigation, Sandra Washington got picked up with the other prostitutes. Knowing who she was, Alston let her go and asked her out on a date. Little did he know, she had a different idea and wanted to use him as a source.

In other news, Frankie finally paid his debt to the mob and Paul (Chris Coy) was starting to feel like he didn’t belong at the bar but Vincent helped to cheer him up.

Overall, this was still a good episode but the lack of compelling characters, besides Candy, or story development is starting to make it boring to watch. Hopefully things will start to happen soon, especially since there are only 4 episodes left this season.

Score: 7.5/10

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.