HBO’s “Treme” – New Orleans

I’m not sure why I like “Treme”, the new HBO series set in New Orleans so much. Could be the music, which plays a role in the show, much as it does in the city itself. Could be the cast, which boasts stars from the big and little screen – including John Goodman, Steve Zahn, and CSI’s Khandi Alexander.

It could be the storyline, which has done a pretty good job in the first episode of relaying the mood in the city, post-Katrina. Having been toured through some of the hardest hit areas of the city a couple of years ago with a group of fellow newspaper columnists, the storyline does a nice job of conveying the mood of residents as they sort through the wreckage, and try to restore any sort of order to what used to be their lives.

I don’t appear to be alone in my interest – HBO renewed the show after the first episode, based on ratings and positive feedback. As the characters flesh out, it will be interesting to see what direction this new series takes. I’m already a fan of Zahn’s heartfelt disc jockey/musician character, and John Goodman looks to be chewing up the screen convincing anyone willing to listen that the disaster was as much a conspiracy as it was a tragedy – part of what makes the real-life recovery efforts so frustrating.

If you missed it, you can catch reruns, or jump in when the second episode runs. The show is as addicting as the city it’s based on.

For now, this is one new series we’ll be looking forward to each week, here in the Such Is Life household.

Chow for now!!