On Treme: “Meet De Boys on the Battlefront” (S1E2)
Posted on 19. Apr, 2010 by theashcan in Television
Because it’s not easy to write a TV recap, but gosh do we love them, every week Simon and Anupa will be discussing HBO’s latest drama venture Treme. Highly anticipated due to the critical success of creator David Simon’s The Wire, we’re leaving the egghead essays on the New Orleans-set show following musicians and people dealing, post-Katrina, to the experts and bringing you our favourite (or least favourite) moments in convenient list form. Think of the highbrow content and easy delivery like being able to grab a steak via drive thru—just because you want that shit on demand, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your good taste. Onward, sweet savants, to on Treme:
Season 1, Episode 2: “Meet De Boys on the Battlefront”
Anupa
1. I love John Goodman as Creighton-and that rant about Tulane University salvaging only identity studies and nothing “practical” ran so close to my heart-but the second episode is bringing about new favourites. So far, it’s a tie between Antoine the “t-bone” player and obstinate, passionate Albert-the Indian chief. I am curious to find out more backstory on Albert, who we saw beat the shit out of a would-be burglar. Moral of the story? Don’t steal his fucking tools! And Antoine is cheeky as hell; it’ll be interesting to watch him come up with his hustles, and the expression on his face at the strip club was priceless.
2. Which brings me to that whole stripper scene. I would pay good money to watch a live jazz band tear up the skrip joint like that. Come for the band, stay for the boobies. Except I don’t really care about the boobies, though I will admit those dancers were skilled with that pole. I’ma holler at Flirty Girl Fitness tomorrow…
3. Meeting Sonny and Annie busking for locals and some do-gooder Wiconsinites. Sonny questioned whether they had even heard of the Ninth Ward before setting foot in New Or Leans (they hadn’t); Annie tried to make nice for his hostility but retained her local wits, demanding a $20 fee for “The Saints” (but only if the out-of-towners liked it).
Simon
1.  Didn’t mention it last week but the intro for Treme is one of the best I’ve ever seen. John BouttĂ©’s soulful Treme Song is juxtaposed with just the right dash of Katrina reality; credits roll in front of alternating historical city photos and mildew soaked flood damaged walls. The result is both ironic and poignant, a combination rarely done well.
2. Â I refuse to ask why Elvis Costello is still on this show. Ah fuck.
3. Â ”It’s a zero sum world; somebody wins, somebody loses,” says John Goodman’s Professor Bernette. Thematically, this episode seemed to be pointing out that no matter which side of the socioeconomic divide, everybody in NOLA is losing these days. Still, if Clarke Peters doesn’t win some hardware for unleashing the resultant pent up allegorical rage of his city on a petty thief then providing a glimpse of potential winning hope two scenes later with a tambourine, there truly is something wrong with our zero sum world.
Simon
Apr 19th, 2010
I also enjoyed how those Wisconson do-gooders basically used their church trip for “Helping” as an excuse to party in New Orleans. I’m guessing that’s a not so subtle microcosm of America’s relationship with the place right now.
Anupa
Apr 19th, 2010
^^
girls gone wild: katrina edition.
too soon?