This week’s episode of Treme began to touch on the various currents of underlying tension that existed in New Orleans after the storm. From the presence of National Guard troops and the overworked/understaffed officers of the NOPD to the emergence of Katrina Tours, the show depicts the various ways that the devastation of the storm affected the daily interactions of members of various sectors of the community at large.

As a senior in high school the year that Katrina hit, I can certainly attest to the eeriness caused by watching a major American city patrolled by military Humvees as well as seeing parties and gatherings on the street broken up by armed soldiers as well as a city-wide 2am curfew enforced 7 days/week. Another of the more strange phenomena that emerged during the early rebuilding period was that of groups taking trips down to the Lower 9th Ward and worst-affected areas on quasi sightseeing tours (which hails back to my earlier post about NOLA tourists). I was never really able to reconcile my feelings of discomfort at the fact that certain people were profiting from and creating a spectacle out of the suffering and struggle of others.

The specific things that outsiders may want to learn more about in this episode are as follows:

The City

-FEMA Trailers: Everybody is probably familiar with these, and New Orleans is not the only disaster area that has had them. But they certainly became a part of the scenery in the months following the storm and the houses of people who had returned could be identified by the presence of a big white trailer in the driveway.

-National Guard: Due to understaffing in the NOPD and general safety concerns, National Guard troops remained stationed in New Orleans for months following the storm. Humvees could be seen driving down major streets at all hours of the day.

-Drive-Through Daiquiris: Davis is outraged at being arrested for an open container violation on the street, something as un-New Orleans as they come and makes a comment about the city inventing Drive-Through Daiquiris. Any time I’ve had guests in town from out of state and have passed one of these places, it’s existence has been met with considerable disbelief.

-Bulldozing houses in the Lower 9th: Before a clear picture of the rebuilding process emerged and uncertainty as to the number of people looking to return abounded, there was considerable speculation that the government might elect to bulldoze the entire Lower 9th area.

The Music

-Tipitina: The song that Davis teaches Creighton’s daughter is an old classic from local legend Professor Longhair. The song is so well known that it is the namesake of legendary local music venue Tipitina’s. Check out this live version of Fess performing it with The Meters.

-Fess: As Professor Longhair was known for short is part nickname part label for the spirit of his music. Fess is referenced a number of times in the episode. Notably, the shirt that Davis wears to the piano lesson at Creighton’s house is a popular design from local alternative t-shirt boutique Dirty Coast and bears a rendering of Professor Longhair above a piano keyboard.

-Tom McDermott: Tom is a jazz pianist and composer originally from St. Louis who moved to New Orleans and infiltrated the scene.

-Dr. John: Dr. John is a musical powerhouse who has been influential for the past 30 years or so. A local New Orleanian and graduate of Jesuit high school, Dr. John started his career as a guitarist and gigged heavily in the French Quarter. After losing part of one of his fingers in a gunfight, he moved to piano and began composing for which he is currently known. Dr. John still plays a consistent number of dates every year and remains a part of the cultural lore of the city. This week’s episode takes its name from one of Dr. John’s most famous tunes: “Right Place, Wrong Time”. Check out this very ‘throwback’ video of a super-decked out Dr. John playing the song.

As always, we look forward to your comments, thoughts, and ideas.

-Patrick R

patrick@rabbitholeconsulting.com

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