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Treme - the creators of The Wire look at life in New Orleans - S2 - Sundays on HBO

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C

Cornballer

Member
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Treme is back for Season 2. The critical acclaimed HBO show about Post-Katrina New Orleans headed up by David Simon (The Wire) returns to the Sunday night lineup at 10pm ET on April 24th.

HBO's introduction to Season 2:
HBO said:
It’s more than a year since Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The national spotlight on the Crescent City has dimmed, and residents are finding it harder than ever to rebuild their lives. Some have become expatriates in distant cities. The insurance checks that never arrived for homeowners were followed by the bureaucratic nightmare that was the Road Home program, and a land-grab is underway as developers and disaster capitalists press their advantage. Crime and drug use are up, and corruption and graft are endemic, with civic institutions unable to counter any of it.

And yet the culture of New Orleans somehow endures.
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...and a more detailed look at the characters:
HBO said:
While the spirit is alive in New Orleans, its residents are still dealing with loss – of homes, jobs and loved ones.
In the wake of her brother’s death, Ladonna (Khandi Alexander) helps her mother move out of her old home and upriver to Baton Rouge, while worrying about the increasingly dangerous conditions in the neighborhood. Toni Bernette (Melissa Leo, recent Oscar®-winner for “The Fighter”) helps her daughter, Sofia (India Ennenga), cope with Creighton’s death, while still assisting others in finding answers for their own losses. And Albert Lambreaux (Clarke Peters) is forced out of his temporary residence and must make ends meet with a meager insurance check.

In addition, New Orleans civil servants now have to contend with the shocking rise of crime, coupled with the mysterious loss of funds essential to the restoration of the city. Lieutenant Terry Colson (David Morse) is caught in the crossfire, dealing with the current crime wave and still trying to sort out the truth in the wreckage of the past.

TREME’s musicians are trying to survive as well, with mixed results. Antoine Batiste (Wendell Pierce) maintains the lifestyle of a musician, despite persistent challenges from his girlfriend Desiree and a lack of funds, and entertains the idea of leading his own band. Yet as the New Orleans school system comes back to life, he also finds himself drawn to the very place where the city’s musical culture begins.

Meanwhile, Annie Tee’s (Lucia Micarelli) profile is on the rise, while she continues her relationship with DJ Davis McAlary (Steve Zahn), who now has fresh musical ambitions of his own. On the other hand, Annie’s ex-boyfriend Sonny (Michiel Huisman) – though presented with a genuine opportunity – must first contend with his own demons. Meanwhile, renowned trumpeter Delmond Lambreaux (Rob Brown) has been joined in New York by chef Janette Desautel (Kim Dickens), both pursuing their careers there, but feeling the tug of their native culture.

“We are following the actual timeline of post-Katrina New Orleans as a means of understanding what happened – and what didn’t happen – when an American city suffered a near-death experience,” says David Simon. “In doing so, we’re trying to address ourselves to what the American experiment has become and what possibilities remain for us.

“We are an urban people now. How we live together – and of what we are capable or incapable of achieving as an urban people is going to define our future,” he adds. “New Orleans and its recent history speaks to that.”
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Production info:
David Morse (“The Hurt Locker”; HBO’s “John Adams”) and India Ennenga, both featured in the first season of TREME, become series regulars, along with new cast member Jon Seda (the upcoming “Larry Crowne”; HBO’s “The Pacific”), playing Nelson Hildago, who arrives fresh from Dallas to avail himself of the unique opportunities that New Orleans could offer some in the wake of Katrina.

The returning ensemble cast of TREME includes: Wendell Pierce (HBO’s “The Wire,” the HBO documentary “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”); Khandi Alexander (“CSI: Miami,” HBO’s Emmy®-winning “The Corner”); Clarke Peters (“Damages,” HBO’s “The Wire” and “The Corner”); Rob Brown (“Stop-Loss,” “Finding Forrester”); Steve Zahn (“A Perfect Getaway,” “Sunshine Cleaning”); Kim Dickens (HBO’s “Deadwood”); Melissa Leo (Oscar® winner for “The Fighter”; Oscar® nominee for “Frozen River”); Lucia Micarelli; and Michiel Huisman (“The Young Victoria”).

National and Louisiana-based musical performers featured in the second season of TREME include Dr. John, Juvenile, John Hiatt, Lucia Micarelli, Steve Earle, Shawn Colvin, the subdudes, the Radiators, Henry Butler, Wanda Rouzan, Cyril Neville, Christian Scott, Donald Harrison Jr., Ron Carter, Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, Leroy Jones, John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Glen David Andrews, Susan Cowsill, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Steve Riley, Katey Red, Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, Ingrid Lucia, Mem Shannon, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Tom McDermott, George Porter, Evan Christopher and members of the Pineleaf Boys and Redstick Ramblers, among many others.

In addition to Simon and Overmyer, Nina K. Noble also serves as an executive producer. Anthony Hemingway is the supervising producer. In addition to Simon and Overmyer, the writing staff includes consulting producer George Pelecanos and executive producer (episodes 11-13) James Yoshimura, as well as New Orleans-based writers Tom Piazza, Lolis Eric Elie and Mari Kornhauser. Noted food writer and author Anthony Bourdain (“Kitchen Confidential”) also joins the writing staff this season.
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Schedule:
Episode #11: Accentuate the Positive Debut: Sunday, April 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Antoine contemplates a move, while LaDonna resists one; Davis moves in new directions, personally and professionally; Toni worries about Sofia’s emotional distance; Colson contends with the return of crime to New Orleans; Annie returns from a national tour. In New York, Delmond debuts his new album, while Janette holds her tongue in the kitchen of a demanding boss. Juvenile sits in with Galactic and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
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Episode #12: Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky Debut: Sunday, May 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Episode #13: On Your Way Down Debut: Sunday, May 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

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Trailers:
- Unique Opportunity
- Invitation to the Set
- "O Beautiful Storm" Extended Tease (HBO)
- Season 2 Tease #1 (HBO)
- Extended Tease (HBO)

Articles:
- Today in 'Treme': HBO announces release schedule of full-performance videos
- Random Roles Wendell Pierce at the Onion A|V Club
- Lucia Micarelli Separates Fact From Fiction Before Season 2 of Treme

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Reviews:
- Tim Goodman @ Hollywood Reporter:
Bottom Line: HBO’s ambitious drama series returns for Season 2 even tighter and more evocative than ever.
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- Sepinwall
The great vastly outweighs the problematic from where I sit, and the small detail work remains wonderful. The first 5 episodes are packed with great moments, not only for the main characters, but for the people of the city as a whole.
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D

dave is ok

aztek is ok
The Killing wins over Treme for my time at 10pm Sunday for now. But I'll catch up OnDemand. Hopefully focusing on some cops and crime will make the show more compelling, not like I want it to be The Wire - there just wasn't a lot to grip you last season.
 
G

gdt

Member
I really gotta get back into this. I kinda lost interest about 2/3 before the finale last year. A shame that Simon's new show wasn't particularly exciting to me, it should be dammit!

Simon tackling some crime stuff again should hopefully draw me back in.
 
D

Discotheque

Banned
dave is ok said:
The Killing wins over Treme for my time at 10pm Sunday for now. But I'll catch up OnDemand. Hopefully focusing on some cops and crime will make the show more compelling, not like I want it to be The Wire - there just wasn't a lot to grip you last season.
Click to expand...

I'm bored to death of Killing already. I think this will fill up that spot nicely now that it's back on. Not the most interesting premise for a show, but it's been pretty legit so far.
 
T

The Storyteller

Member
Discotheque said:
I'm bored to death of Killing already. I think this will fill up that spot nicely now that it's back on. Not the most interesting premise for a show, but it's been pretty legit so far.
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I dont know, I find a city and it's people rebuilding themselves after a devestating disaster an incredibly interesting premise, moreso then say another crime show about a stupid teen getting murdered.

This show doesn't need the crime angle to make it compelling to me, not that I'm disinterested in the direction.
 
S

soul creator

Member
I just went to New Orleans for the first time in 20 years this past weekend for a friend's wedding.

I feel like I have to watch this show now, lol
 
D

dead souls

Member
Discotheque said:
I'm bored to death of Killing already. I think this will fill up that spot nicely now that it's back on. Not the most interesting premise for a show, but it's been pretty legit so far.
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True.

The Killing is decent, but I'm watching Treme first.
 
Diseased Yak

Diseased Yak

Gold Member
Recently watched S1 over again via the blu-ray set. It's so fuckin' great. Just an amazing, amazing show. I am so giddy over season 2. More David Morse!!
 
B

BeeDog

Member
I've watched/am watching pretty much every big TV show there is; what other show does this show resemble, thematically speaking and pacing-wise? Mad Men, The Wire, Friday Night Lights? I'm curious of it, mainly due to The Wire and Generation Kill, but the actual synopsis isn't too attractive.
 
S

Spotless Mind

Member
You'll, no doubt, love the rest of the season, icarus.

I finished watching season 1 again today. I think it was even better the second time. Melissa Leo's performance in the finale was heartbreaking.

Hari Seldon said:
Also, the show needs as much Lucia Micarelli as possible.
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Yes please! Preferably with her interacting with Davis a lot more. They were oddly adorable together in the Mardi Gras episode. Really though, as long as they have her interact with ANYONE but Sonny, i'll be happy. His character is a black hole of suck.
 
Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station

Member
gdt5016 said:
I really gotta get back into this. I kinda lost interest about 2/3 before the finale last year. A shame that Simon's new show wasn't particularly exciting to me, it should be dammit!

Simon tackling some crime stuff again should hopefully draw me back in.
Click to expand...
I was the same way, but the final 2 or 3 episodes retroactively made the season more interesting and emotional. It's like the show was done in reverse. I really suggest you finish it off.
 
C

Clevinger

Member
Last season I waited for it to finish so I could binge straight through it. Thinking about waiting again.

In any case, it's a wonderful series and I'm so glad it's back.
 
T

The Storyteller

Member
icarus-daedelus said:
I keep waiting for the bohemian busker couple to become interesting, but it's not happening. That's the least-compelling angle of the show, easily. The girl is cute, though.
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I really like her, she's cute and makes great music, which is enough for me. Their plotline never really gets very interesting unfortunately. And Sonny is widely considered a shitty character as spotless already mentioned.
 
M

metsallica

Member
I don't know what voodoo allows a show about such a depressing topic to be a joy to watch, but damn if that isn't the case here. I missed you, Treme.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
- Maureen Ryan's review: 'Treme' Paints a Compelling Portrait of New Orleans in Season 2
Though some of the show's more annoying aspects, including its tendency toward lecturing and hectoring, were toned down as the first season wound down, I still approached the season 2 DVDs with a degree of wariness. Which side of 'Treme' would be more in evidence this year? Would we get a pedantic, condescending show obsessed with its own narrow definition of "the real New Orleans," or an emotionally nuanced, subtle portrait of complicated people trying to piece together their post-Katrina lives?

The good news is, this season, the latter aspect of 'Treme' is definitely winning. Some aspects of this show work better than others, but, in its generally excellent second season, the drama has cohered into a compelling, if sprawling, portrait of the Crescent City.
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M

Mifune

Mehmber
BenjaminBirdie said:
Well, the most hectoring lecturey aspects of the show are
pretty much at the bottom of a river now
.

:(
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True, Ben.

I never once found the show condescending. Sure, some of the characters might have been, but their voices weren't necessarily the creators'. I feel like one critic came up with that criticism and everyone else latched on.
 
B

BenjaminBirdie

Banned
Mifune said:
True, Ben.

I never once found the show condescending. Sure, some of the characters might have been, but their voices weren't necessarily the creators'. I feel like one critic came up with that criticism and everyone else latched on.
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I agree 1000%, for the record.
 
T

The Storyteller

Member
icarus-daedelus said:
There's an amazing moment in episode 7 where
LaDonna breaks down a bit after she and Toni have been figuratively digging for her brother, or rather his body, for the past eight episodes, because no one else cared to; she's kneeling on the ground and looks up, and the camera cuts to a wide shot of a row of trucks filled with countless bodies that no one cared enough to find or to claim. It's just heartbreaking and poignant watching her carrying that weight in her heart in the next episode in the middle of the otherwise joyous revelry.
And this being the show it is, there's no non-diegetic music (i.e. sad violins) to make you feel bad or dialogue to specifically express what she's feeling, just telling photography and a great, subdued performance by an underappreciated actress. (<3 Khandi Alexander).
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That is indeed a brilliant moment. Glad you are loving the show (although, I knew you would), I'm interested to see what you think about the direction it takes one of the characters in the final two episodes (of which I have rather mixed feelings about).
 
P

prodystopian

Member
I had no idea this was coming back already. I thought it would be fall at the earliest. So glad I just reupped my HBO subscription to check out Game of Thrones as I would have been back for this anyway. I was a huge fan of the first season, though I'm going to miss
Creighton. I wonder if they will do any flashbacks. I suppose if they do, it would be minimal. It was so powerful to have him go, but I'm disappointed to see the show without him.
 
D

dead souls

Member
Why are people spoiler tagging stuff that happened last season?

Idiocy like that makes many of the TV threads on gaf a chore to read.
 
S

Spotless Mind

Member
Mifune said:
True, Ben.

I never once found the show condescending. Sure, some of the characters might have been, but their voices weren't necessarily the creators'. I feel like one critic came up with that criticism and everyone else latched on.
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I never understood this criticism either. No shit, some of the characters are going to be outspoken and passionate about New Orleans. Such a ridiculous complaint.
 
M

Mifune

Mehmber
Seeing someone new fall in love with this great under-appreciated show is worth all the spoiler tags in the world.
 
G

guidop

Member
Can't wait. I loved the first season, watched a few trailers for this season today and it looks like it'll be better this season.
 
B

brianjones

Member
the only reason ill watch is annie and david simon

otherwise i can barely remember anything that happened in the first season. so forgettable
 
T

The Storyteller

Member
Spotless Mind said:
I never understood this criticism either. No shit, some of the characters are going to be outspoken and passionate about New Orleans. Such a ridiculous complaint.
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To be fair, Ryan is a shit critic.

I guess it helps that I can empathize somewhat because I live in an awesome city as well, and I'd probably show the same condescending attitude (which I personally never even noticed in the show) if the city and it's people were in the same fucked up situation.

Maybe she's just bitter because Chicago is a shit hole?*

*
Never been there, dont know if that's true. In fact, it's home to Kalinda so I'd probably love it

Btw, icarus, your avatar is fucking awesome.
 
T

tokkun

Member
Mifune said:
True, Ben.

I never once found the show condescending. Sure, some of the characters might have been, but their voices weren't necessarily the creators'. I feel like one critic came up with that criticism and everyone else latched on.
Click to expand...

I found the show to be extremely condescending. Take, for example, the visiting students from UW-Madison who are portrayed as sheltered religious goobers who are instantly seduced by their first exposure to alcohol and jazz music; an utterly ridiculous premise considering they were supposedly from one of the biggest party schools in the country. The show repeatedly portrayed people from every other part of the country - be it the Midwest, Texas, or New York - as being hopelessly awkward, close-minded, and uptight compared to the cool and soulful people of New Orleans.
 
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