The essential episodes of The Deuce

Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Deuce — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · September 10, 2017 · 1h 30m

   Pilot6.0

   Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino navigate their way through the rough-and-tumble world of 1971 Times Square; Vincent crosses paths with other midtown denizens while plotting to improve his situation; Abby gets enlisted to buy amphetamines.

2. 02

   S01E07 · Season 1 peak · October 22, 2017 · 1h

   Au Reservoir7.5

   Candy eyes a different job on Harvey's set, but Lori struggles with the demands of porn acting; C.C., Larry and Rodney worry that pimps are becoming obsolete as the police push their business off the streets; Ashley hangs out with Frankie, but later winds up at Abby's door; Alston finds himself singled out by the precinct's new captain; Abby asks Vincent to be her escort at her family's lavish party.

3. 03

   S01E08 · Top rated · October 29, 2017 · 1h 10m

   My Name is Ruby7.5

   In the Season 1 finale, expansion fever hits Frankie and Bobby, but Vincent balks at getting in deeper with Rudy. Meanwhile, Candy gets a taste of directing, and enjoys the red-carpet perks of a major premiere; Alston finds himself in limbo at his precinct; Abby changes the Hi-Hat's clientele; Sandra faces editorial and legal hurdles; Barbara and Ruby connect with the wrong kind of clients; and C.C. encourages a former pimp to get back in the game.

4. 04

   S02E04 · Season 2 peak · September 30, 2018 · 1h

   What Big Ideas7.7

   Ashley and Abby resolve to track down the identity of a 16-year-old sex worker killed in a recent fire. Vincent is shaken after witnessing the brutal side of Rudy's operation. Frustrated by the progress on her new film, Candy recruits some new faces to help her out with the production. Frankie finds his dry-cleaning business a less-than-perfect fit. Larry Brown shows off his improvisational skills. Lori looks to forge a deal with Kiki while keeping C.C. in the loop.

5. 05

   S02E05 · Top rated · October 7, 2018 · 1h

   All You'll Be Eating is Cannibals7.4

   Candy taps an unlikely co-producer. Bobby is on the wrong end of a raid. Big Mike cashes in on a hit.

6. 06

   S02E06 · Top rated · October 14, 2018 · 1h

   We're All Beasts7.5

   Candy shoots her opus guerilla-style on the streets of New York. Vincent makes a confession to Abby, along with a promise to change. Ashley and Abby help a prostitute escape the Deuce, with a little help from Vincent. Larry Brown gets a promotion. Paul celebrates the opening of his new upscale club. Bobby turns to Vincent to find work for his wayward eldest son, Joey.

7. 07

   S02E08 · Top rated · October 28, 2018 · 1h

   Nobody Has to Get Hurt7.6

   C.C. reluctantly gives up Lori; Candy puts the finishing touches on Red Hot.

8. 08

   S02E09 · Top rated · November 4, 2018 · 1h 10m

   Inside the Pretend7.7

   Red Hot premieres; Vincent and Abby deal with an unexpected loss; Darlene comes clean.

9. 09

   S03E02 · Top rated · September 16, 2019 · 1h

   Morta di Fame7.9

   Frankie takes his amateur porn business to the next level and ends up in a confrontation with Rudy, who pushes Vincent to up his profits. Candy brainstorms a new film based on the experiences of her fellow sex workers and finds that her new beau Hank is not shaken by her past. Abby and Loretta take care of Shay when she shows up to the Hi-Hat in bad shape. Lori is advised be more compliant after she dares to stand up for herself on set. Alston is tasked with finding the mysterious owner of a prime piece of Midtown real estate. With the future of his businesses up in the air, Paul worries about his partner Tod's health.

10. 10

    S03E03 · Top rated · September 23, 2019 · 1h

    Normal Is a Lie7.8

    Abby befriends a graffiti artist named Pilar and takes a surprising trip downtown. Candy sets a firm line with Hank when it comes to money. As Tod's health worsens, he reexamines his priorities and asks for Paul's support. Melissa is forced to face her past. Alston explores different strategies for getting a shady SRO owner to sell. Bobby pays Joey a visit on Wall Street as Joey's latest money-making scheme grows bigger. Tensions rise between Frankie and Rudy as a buyer complains about Frankie's product.

11. 11

    S03E04 · Top rated · September 30, 2019 · 1h

    They Can Never Go Home8.0

    Lori returns to New York for an audition and runs into some familiar faces; while searching for actors for her new film, Candy speaks to her critics at a Women Against Pornography meeting; as things heat up with Jennifer, Alston takes a drastic step to deliver for Goldman; Melissa leaves the city; Abby grows closer to Pilar as her relationship with Vincent wanes; Vincent and Frankie celebrate an eventful birthday.

12. 12

    S03E05 · Top rated · October 7, 2019 · 1h

    You Only Get One8.0

    With his club shuttered, a distraught Vincent follows a lead down a dangerous path. Paul reaches out to Tod's parents. Candy battles Harvey over her latest script and reunites with her estranged son, Adam. Lori hits the feature dancing circuit with mixed results. Abby reflects on her choices when she gets an unexpected visitor. Bobby does right by Black Frankie. Alston defends the plan to clean up Midtown. Gene reckons with his conflicted personal life.

13. 13

    S03E06 · Top rated · October 14, 2019 · 1h

    This Trust Thing8.3

    In the wake of a personal loss, Candy finds the emotional core of her latest movie. Abby confronts Vincent after she makes an alarming discovery. Paul turns to activism as the AIDS epidemic continues to ravage New York's gay community. Vincent tips off Rudy to Tommy's disloyalty. Lori realizes she's on her own when both Greg and Kiki let her down. Bobby learns why the women who worked for him have abandoned the French Parlor.

14. 14

    S03E07 · Season 3 peak · October 21, 2019 · 1h

    That's a Wrap8.4

    A struggling Lori turns to Candy for help before revisiting The Deuce. Candy makes a surprising deal to secure funding for her film. Abby takes a stand against the latest phase of Midtown redevelopment. After a difficult visit with Mike, Vincent is approached by a candid Tommy, who explains the new world order. Bobby realizes that times have changed and considers Joey's latest money-making scheme.

15. 15

    S03E08 · Series finale · October 28, 2019 · 1h

    Finish It7.7

    Big changes come to The Deuce as Gene sees opportunity in the city's public health crisis. Vincent looks to get out from under the mob's thumb and makes peace with Abby, who decides to pursue a new future. Candy makes a critical choice in her relationship with Hank. Harvey speaks his mind about Candy's film. Alston recognizes the truth of Midtown's redevelopment. Melissa makes a commitment, while Loretta takes on a big responsibility.