Treme

Treme is a drama television series created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer that premiered on HBO in 2010. The show is set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and explores the city's rich cultural heritage, including its jazz scene, Mardi Gras celebrations, and Cajun and Creole cuisine. The series features a diverse ensemble cast, including Khandi Alexander, Rob Brown, and Steve Zahn, and has been praised for its authentic portrayal of the city and its people, with many scenes filmed on location in Louisiana and featuring music by Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, and The Meters. The show's title is derived from the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, which is known for its historic architecture and vibrant cultural scene, and has been featured in works by Tennessee Williams and Louis Armstrong.

Introduction

Treme is a television series that explores the lives of the people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with many characters struggling to rebuild their homes and their lives in the face of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) bureaucracy and insurance company red tape. The show features a range of characters, including musicians, chefs, and Mardi Gras Indians, and explores the city's unique cultural traditions, including its jazz funerals and second line parades, which are influenced by African American and European American customs. The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the city and its people, with many scenes filmed on location in New Orleans and featuring music by Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, and Allen Toussaint. The show's creators, David Simon and Eric Overmyer, have said that they were inspired by the city's resilience and creativity in the face of disaster, and have worked to showcase the city's vibrant cultural scene, including its French Quarter and Garden District neighborhoods.

Production

The production of Treme involved a team of experienced writers, directors, and producers, including David Simon, Eric Overmyer, and Anthony Hemingway, who have worked on other notable television series such as The Wire and Generation Kill. The show was filmed on location in New Orleans and surrounding areas, including Baton Rouge and Lafayette, and features a range of local musicians and actors, including Kermit Ruffins, Donald Harrison Jr., and Phyllis Montana LeBlanc. The series was produced by HBO in association with Blown Deadline Productions and Eric Overmyer Productions, and has been praised for its high production values and attention to detail, with many scenes featuring authentic New Orleans locations and cultural traditions, such as Cafe du Monde and Preservation Hall. The show's music supervisor, Blake Leyh, has worked to showcase the city's rich musical heritage, featuring songs by Louis Prima, Clifton Chenier, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Plot

The plot of Treme follows the lives of a group of characters in New Orleans as they struggle to rebuild their lives and their city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with many characters facing challenges such as homelessness, unemployment, and mental health issues. The series explores the city's unique cultural traditions, including its Mardi Gras celebrations and jazz scene, and features a range of storylines, including the struggles of a local jazz musician, Delmond Lambreaux, played by Rob Brown, and the efforts of a community organizer, Davis McAlary, played by Steve Zahn, to promote the city's cultural heritage. The show also explores the city's complex history and politics, including the role of the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the city's recovery efforts, and features characters such as Creighton Bernette, played by John Goodman, a Tulane University professor who becomes a vocal critic of the city's response to the disaster. The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the city and its people, with many scenes featuring authentic New Orleans locations and cultural traditions, such as Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.

Characters

The characters in Treme are diverse and complex, and include a range of musicians, chefs, and Mardi Gras Indians, as well as community organizers and politicians. The series features a range of notable characters, including Janette Desautel, played by Kim Dickens, a chef who struggles to keep her restaurant open in the face of economic challenges, and Albert Lambreaux, played by Clarke Peters, a Mardi Gras Indian chief who works to preserve the city's cultural traditions. The show also features a range of supporting characters, including LaDonna Batiste-Williams, played by Khandi Alexander, a bar owner who becomes a key figure in the city's recovery efforts, and Sofia Bernette, played by India Ennenga, the daughter of Creighton Bernette who becomes involved in the city's activist scene. The series has been praised for its well-developed characters and realistic portrayal of the city and its people, with many characters based on real-life individuals, such as Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis.

Reception

Treme has received widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of New Orleans and its people, with many reviewers praising the show's attention to detail and its authentic depiction of the city's cultural traditions. The series has been praised by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Orleans Times-Picayune, among other publications, and has won a range of awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. The show has also been recognized for its impact on the city of New Orleans, with many locals praising the show's realistic portrayal of the city and its people, and its efforts to promote the city's cultural heritage, including its French Quarter Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The series has been compared to other notable television series, such as The Wire and The Sopranos, and has been praised for its high production values and attention to detail, with many scenes featuring authentic New Orleans locations and cultural traditions, such as Bourbon Street and St. Charles Avenue.