Treme - Season 2 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

I thought the first series was outstanding - and reviewed it accordingly. When the second came out - well, I thought that the impact couldn't be repeated. I was wrong

I am only on episode 4 so far (and will come back to update as I get further into it) but this is triumphant television. But different. The first series focussed so much on the immediate aftermath - this is a few months on. Same characters (of course not the lamented John Goodman) but all the others are there - with some new faces.

This shows a different New Orleans - months after the flood - when the powers that be and the opportunists have started to seize what they can from the wrecked city , when the police have got tired and frustrated, the rebuilding is taking place - but who makes the money and where are the original residents?

Fascinating - and great performances as before. As a testament to how good it is - I actually really care about the characters and what happens to them. Yes, I know they are actors - but I do feel they are truly represenative of what took place. (Except Steve Zahn - still don't like him - but that's me!) And now he is in a relationship with my favourite violinist. OK - it will work out in the next few episode. More later.

But this is great stuff!!

Update: OK I have now seen the complete series. I think it is just - only just - better than the first. I admit to crying - not much but enough to cause embarrassment - which didn't happen in the first series. Steve Zahn is almost - only almost - becoming likeable. All the characters are developing and you do get this sense they are real people - a tribute to the scripts, the production and the actors.

In the second series food plays a slightly more important part and as someone who likes to eat I found it fascinating to see the celebrity chefs in New York - with variable acting skills - but always interesting. And you get the sense that this is pretty real - Anthony Bourdain was involved which is a major positive.

But it is the people of New Orleans that are the real story.

Wonderful - watch it if you can.

Yes, I like it very much!!!

"We got magic, good and bad
Make you happy or make you real sad
Get everything you want, lose what you had
Down here in New Orleans"
Dr John

'Treme' HBO's magnificent season one, introduced us to the New Orleans of post-Katrina, the music, the people, the problems, the lives of the everyday people trying to make it work. In Treme's second season we see and really feel how the natives live and die.

'Treme' season two moves to the lives of the musicians, the businesses trying to thrive and into the police stations and politicians pockets. The regulars like Antoine Batiste, played by Wendell Pierce, find themselves trying to rebuild their lives. In his case, he is a trombonist and works in the local school band by day and in the clubs by night. Terry Colson, played by David Morse, is a detective in the police department, where he feels out the greed and graft of his colleagues. Melissa Leo, plays Toni, the local lawyer who fights for her clients and now finds herself trying to help her daughter, Sofia. Sofia, played by India Ennenga, who is reacting to a tragic loss, has become the teenager with rebellion andresentment. Chef Janette, played by Kim Dickens has moved to New York City to try and ply her wares in the big time. Professional trumpeter Delmond, played by Rob Brown also moved to NYC to find his profession.

'Treme' season two looks at the day-to-day journey of its people. A lot going on in the second season. In every episode there are surprising finds. I became involved in the characters lives, and their struggles. Ladonna, played by Khandi Alexander, has a personal tragedy that leads to more grief. There is so much personal grief and trauma that all of the crinme in New Orleans takes its toll. We look at the spirit of the people of New Orleans and in particular, the people we follow. Anthony Bourdain contributes to the food scene. New romances abound, crime increases, the musicians become more authentic. Jon Seda, who plays Nelson Hildago, gives us a glimpse of the FEMA corruption that we have heard about all throughout the aftermath of Katrina. Such wonderful character development by the superb writing team of David Simon and Eric Overmyer. Treme may become as important and as wonderful as my all time favorite series, 'The Wire'. Treme gives us a wonderful drama, a snapshot of a city, and its people, all changing with the seasons.

this is initially difficult to get into as in the first series however well worth the effort great acting great scenery great music