The Deuce

Feminist and queer themes are central to the series. Eileen's arc is framed around female autonomy, overcoming patriarchal exploitation, and trying to bring a feminist gaze to porn. Abby's story focuses on radical feminist activism. The show also strongly emphasizes LGBTQ+ themes, including Paul's journey through the gay liberation movement and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic in Season 3. These prominent queer subplots add substantial points.

The entire series is a heavy critique of American capitalism, patriarchy, and institutional corruption. It portrays the rise of the adult industry as a system of capitalist exploitation and male entitlement that commodifies female bodies. The show critiques the police department, city hall, and the real estate market for enabling or profiting from systemic abuse, framing these issues through a modern, progressive lens.

There was some online backlash from viewers who criticized the creator as hyper-woke and complained about preachy feminist themes, particularly through the activist character of Abby. However, because of the show's dark tone, realistic violence, and explicit content, it did not face a massive mainstream anti-woke campaign. Most controversy centered on the real-world allegations against star James Franco.

The creative team is populated by progressive and feminist creators. This includes co-creator David Simon, a progressive critic of capitalism, and producer Maggie Gyllenhaal, a vocal feminist activist. The writing team also features transgender screenwriter Will Ralston and feminist author Megan Abbott. Their shared track record strongly aligns with the show's themes.