Treme

[firehawk12]

Just wondering if anyone is watching the show?

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm loving it. Not surprisingly, John Goodman's character is my favourite at the moment just because of his rants.

Side note - Nola.com runs very comprehensive episode guides after each episode explaining all the references.

 

[Harvey]

I'm waiting for the DVD release, since I don't have HBO and would prefer not to watch online through means savory or otherwise. But I am looking forward to it. HBO has already renewed it for a second season, which is good news for David Simon and co.

 

[Teelie]

It's alright so far. In their goal of being realistic it at times gets to be pretentious and boring. There are interesting parts to it and their reality is closer than "reality" television but these characters are somewhat stereotypes.

 

[species5618]

I've been watching it and enjoying it quite a bit. So far it doesn't come close to touching David Simon's best work--The Wire--but it's still very good, with a stellar cast.

 

[firehawk12]

Yeah, it's not the Wire, but I find the stories still very compelling. Although having all the characters just accidentally bump into each other is getting rather silly.

I'm surprised they announced the renewal right after the premiere. They did that with Rome as well... and I wonder what the point of doing that was. Generate some extra hype I guess?

 

[Harvey]

To get going on the production of the second season perhaps? Don't they have a limited window of filming each year in New Orleans?

Nah, it was probably to generate hype.

 

[Mr. B]

I've been watching the show, initially out of curiosity since it's filmed where I live. My expectations were elevated since it's a David Simon production but I have been astounded by the level of accuracy in detail that we see every week. Having seen a lot of other productions set here fall so woefully short (Gumbo party?! really?), it's been refreshing. It's also been nice because they aren't interrupting the action to explain things. It's great for me since I already get it and it's nice for others in that the show's creators actually trust the intelligence of the audience.

@ Harvey - I know the production windows are somewhat limited. I attended an interview with some Treme personnel at Jazz Fest last week (pics) and they said they cannot film in the summer time, apparently for insurance reasons unless my memory fails me. Consequently, each season covers a set period of a few months.

 

[Goliath]

I'm waiting for the DVD release, since I don't have HBO and would prefer not to watch online through means savory or otherwise. But I am looking forward to it.

This.

 

[firehawk12]

Bump. First season just ended and really, this one season was beautiful. I mean, I don't really know much about Jazz or NO, but the show managed to get me really invested in the characters and the city.

I definitely need to buy this sucker when it comes out.

 

[Goliath]

Cool. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Goliath]

Sorry to necro this old thread, but the first DVD set has now been released, and I am watching it.

I am really enjoying this show, and I recommend it highly, especially to people who enjoyed The Wire. It's made in the same low-key, naturalistic style, and I can already tell it's going to focus on many of the same themes. It's as much about the city of New Orleans as it is about its characters, in the same way that The Wire was about Baltimore.

The big difference lies in the focus on music rather than drugs, crime, and law enforcement. Much as I enjoy crime dramas, it's refreshing to see this kind of urban drama focusing on ordinary, (mostly) law-abiding people and their struggle to get by and rebuild their lives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The cast is an effective mix of locals and imports, and features many alumni from previous David Simon productions: Melissa Leo from Homicide, Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters from The Wire, and Khandi Alexander from The Corner. I've noticed a couple of other familiar faces as well.

And the music, of course, is terrific.

 

[firehawk12]

And, of course, the second season starts this Sunday.

I kind of wonder if the fantasy nerds will stick around to watch it. What a strange pairing!

 

[Goliath]

Why? What's it paired with?

 

[od0_ital]

^

Game of Thrones, which premiered this past Sunday.

 

[Goliath]

Ah.

So, I finished the first season. Very impressed. Though I have to say...

Spoiler: ...what I have to say

...I can't remember the last time I was so angry with a fictional character.

I knew that the second-last episode was building up to something bad. But when I realised that Creighton was going to throw himself off the ferry, I actually started cursing at the TV: "No. NO! Don't do it! Oh, you fucking asshole!"

It was dramatically appropriate. In retrospect, he was clearly not able to handle the situation. But I felt really bad for his wife and daughter. Jerk.

Anyway, if any fantasy fans are checking out this thread, I do encourage you to stick around for Treme.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm really looking forward to the second season. I loved the first season through and through, but it's not going to be the same without John Goodman.

 

[firehawk12]

The first episode aired and it's still as awesome the first season. Great characters, great atmosphere and great music. We also get hints to the darker aspects of New Orleans that they're going to get into this season.

Based completely on anecdotal evidence though, it seems like very few Game of Thrones fans bothered to stick around. HBO really should have paired this with Mildred Pierce or something... and maybe Game of Thrones with the next season of True Blood. As it is, it's like putting an episode of The Good Wife on after an episode of Lost.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I'm hoping to watch it in the next day or so.

In case anyone missed it, David Simon was on "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" a couple of weeks ago and mentioned a particular spoiler for this season:

Spoiler: Mid-Season 2

Simon mentioned at the time of the show that they were filming an episode where a major character dies. Simon stressed how important it is to kill off people you care about, as evidenced in The Wire.

 

[firehawk12]

Yup. Some critics have mentioned it as well... not sure when it happens though.

 

[od0_ital]

Just finished the second season premiere.

Why'd they have to add Jon Seda to the cast? I've hated that guy since his days on Homicide...