Season 3 of The Deuce ramps up everything special about this series, while dropping some of its more token inclusions. Which is to say, the focus is absolutely on world-building, character development and a sharp deconstruction of history. Any attempts at plot have now been minimized to the bare minimum. This may or may not appeal to you - this season is even less of a "crowd pleaser" than before, with much of its quality lying deep beneath the surface. It requires patience and careful viewing, and thus is not something I'm comfortable to recommend to everyone.
The high point of season 3 is of course, the character and acting. These are, without doubt, the most developed, detailed and fleshed-out characters on television in years. At times, they feel too real, which is not the most comfortable feeling as we've been condition to like more colourful and entertaining characters. The ensemble cast is near-perfect, with pretty much everyone - including the extras - delivering utterly convincing performances. The writing is sublime throughout, with devastating moments throughout that'll stay with me for years.
The time jump for season 3 throws The Deuce squarely in the middle of 80s. The world-building is astounding - possibly the best I've ever seen on television. There's meticulous detail, not just in audiovisual design - including locations, lighting, soundscapes, music and costumes - but in every bit of dialogue and character behaviour. There are tons of historical references to events of the 80s, which situate you. The end result is a show that feels eerily close to a documentary at times.
As with all David Simon shows, history, social justice and politics play a strong role. The mid-80s is once again the ideal time to ramp these themes. Of course, there's no heavy handed messaging here whatsoever - but rather characters situated in a world where they have to deal with these issues and express their thoughts.
The Deuce is not The Wire, it's much more focused, for better and/or for worse. If you didn't like the first couple of seasons of The Deuce, you should avoid it - season 3 drills down on everything that made this series different. For those who miss the sharp tongue of David Simon, George Pelecanos and their peers, The Deuce might just be the purest form of their very particular formula.