It took me ages to get around to watching the first season of this show, and even though the second season was already out when I did, I took ages to get around to it too. The reason is not related to the quality of the show, but rather that it is yet to really spark in me. In approach it is similar to Treme, because it isn't a show of cliff-hangers and big developments - although it has them here and there. Instead it is a show about community, time, and place as represented by a handful of characters. In Treme it took me a minute, but I did get into the approach and enjoyed the time spent within the community, but with The Deuce it is harder to do, probably because there is not really much to like or admire within the world on show.
In terms of the world, it is convincingly done, with very high production values and a lot of talent involved. The writing is solidly good, and the threads move forward with reasonable pace. It lacks an urgency that would help it a little, because it does feel very passive for long sections of any given episode; it also doesn't sell itself particularly - by which I mean, the makers certainly know what made them want to tell these stories about this time/place, but the show could do more to share this interest with the viewer but instead it comes over like we are just watching. On this level I do enjoy it, because the talent is there in spades and the result is an engaging show, but it continues to be one I respect more than I am loving it or excited by it.