Forged in Fire

Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino -- one a bartender with two kids and a wayward wife, the second an insouciant gambler with piling mob debts -- navigate their way through the rough-and-tumble world of 1971 Times Square.

With his marriage failing, Vincent moves into a seedy Times Square hotel, and fueled by his success drawing customers to a struggling Korean bar, contemplates an offer from mob capo Rudy Pipilo. Meanwhile, Candy agrees to pinch-hit for a friend in a pornographic short, C.C. shows Lori the advantages of having a pimp and Larry is unsettled by Darlene's interest in literature.

Putting the finishing touches on his new bar, Vincent is blindsided by the appearance of an unexpected partner, causing Frankie to blow a gasket. Rudy buys into a rival's plan to reconfigure The Deuce, hopefully with the support of an ambitious mayor. Candy eyes an entree into the filmmaking business, Abby languishes in her new job and Darlene works overtime to compensate Larry.

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 and Darlene gets a gift from Abby. Bristling after a police shakedown, Vincent adds muscle.

Looking for a way out of his construction gig, Bobby tries to change Vincent's mind about Rudy's offer. Darlene returns from a trip home with a new girl, disappointing Abby. Roughed up by a john, Candy contemplates a change of careers. After getting busted, Paul explores the underbelly of gay life in the city. With help from Alston, Sandra scores a key interview with a pimp.

An end-of-the-year crackdown by police in and around The Deuce sparks Vincent and Bobby. Candy tries to persuade Harvey, her adult-film director, that she can do more than act. Rudy witnesses a pivotal lower-court ruling on obscenity and enlists Frankie and Big Mike to protect his interests in the peeps. Alston tries to convince Sandra that he's not just a "source."

With police pushing their business off the streets, C.C., Larry, Rodney and other pimps worry about becoming obsolete. Candy eyes a different job on Harvey's set as Lori struggles with the demands of porn acting. At her wit's end, Ashley hangs out with Frankie and, later, washes up on Abby's door. Bobby is smitten with an employee.

Vincent balks at getting in deeper with Rudy, as expansion fever hits Frankie and Bobby. 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 up the Hi-Hat's clientele. Sandra faces editorial and legal hurdles. Vincent settles a score.