I didn’t see the first season of Treme but was interested by the promise of an HBO series that looks at the lives of locals in post-Katrina New Orleans. I assumed that it wouldn’t be too hard to get into, because the writing would be good and the drama would draw me into the stories that had already began. Sadly I was wrong. Treme is a slow burn drama. But a slow burn drama set in the laid back poor suburbs of bar, food and music loving New Orleans. I’m not sure how season one began, if there was any drama or great scripting to get the viewer involved in the characters lives, but jumping in at the start of season two there is little to get excited about. It’s also very hard to get drawn into the characters lives. With nothing invested and no real drama or instantly lovable characters, Treme just ambles on by with little to no attempt to grab you attention.
Where Treme does shine is in the music. Music is a big part of life down South, and the show is also big on music, and the music is big! And beautiful. But the music isn’t enough to save this disjointed tale o woe and new beginnings. This tale of a town trying to rebuilt itself and battling against bureaucracy, skyrocketing crime and construction companies trying to reap more than they sow.
There is one character that shines an interesting light, and if I was going to continue watching for anyone, it would be him, but even the quirky Steve Zahn can’t save this bland series.
FILMGUIDE rating:
Reviewed by: Jonathan Read
