Treme (2010)

The critic finds Treme a confident, humane series that affirms love of humanity and resilience after Katrina through humor, tenderness, insight, and rich regional music. It stands out for allowing its world to unfold gradually without a driving narrative.

The pilot of Treme suggests David Simon can maintain his run of hits, following residents three months after Katrina with strong integration of music and cuisine. The camerawork makes ravaged streets look exquisite, and the closing scene is a work of art.

The review notes that the show shares DNA with The Wire through its ensemble of intertwining stories and street-level dialogue, but focuses on post-Katrina rebirth in New Orleans. It praises the masterful world-building and performances while noting a slow start.

Treme creates a believable world but is more meandering and intimate than The Wire, with a softer heart and powerful emotional moments. It hits the right notes most of the time through character-driven drama and music.

Treme is a sprawling, elliptical drama about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on a New Orleans neighbourhood, with characters establishing themselves at a stately pace. It is as supple and confident as a jazz riff, despite occasional false notes and preachiness.

The critic describes the series as rich and textured but too leisurely in pace, requiring patience like its post-Katrina New Orleans setting. Strong performances and authentic atmosphere are highlighted as rewarding elements for dedicated viewers.

Treme offers a complex, inside look at post-Katrina New Orleans through the lives of its residents, capturing the city's essence via human characters rather than fast-paced crime drama. Its success depends on whether viewers gain a heightened sense of the disaster's impact.