“Down here in the city of misrule, we are always our own worst enemy.” – Creighton Bernette

This week’s episode touches on some of the darkest and coincidentally most controversial subject matter to date in the series including the debate over issues of public housing, schooling, and the upcoming Mayoral election.

I began formulating ideas for this post feeling somewhat critical of the series due to the fact that at this point I had expected to be more drawn in and engaged by the characters and their respective situations (a la Wire) than I have been, but by the end of the episode I had been swayed by the importance of the bigger picture being portrayed as well as the imminently important social commentary taking place and had my faith in Treme restored.

Simon, Overmyer, et al have done an exceedingly good job of engaging viewers in the real debates and conversations that were taking place throughout the city in Katrina’s aftermath without forcing a partisan political agenda down our throats. From shifting spheres of political influence due to demographic shifts in the repopulated city to the struggle to establish reliable and affordable public housing for the city’s currently displaced/previously marginalized working poor, no punches have been pulled.

I look forward to the possibility of  solutions to the problems being laid out in this season shaping up in the seasons to come.

This week’s locals guide:

The City

Charity Hospital – This is at least the second time that Charity Hospital has been mentioned in the show. Charity was New Orleans only free public hospital, established as a teaching facility operated by Louisiana State University and provided the only affordable health care to the city’s low-income residents. Charity is known to have had a world-class trauma unit due the large incidence of gunshot wounds in the city and was a long-time destination for trauma unit physicians-in-training. In the aftermath of Katrina, Charity has yet to reopen and no firm plans for reconstruction have been set in motion although there is a campaign currently underway to approve its rebuilding. For more on this movement please visit: http://savecharityhospital.com/

Racial Tension in Voting – Katrina left a large number of African-American New Orleanians displaced due to the fact that large numbers of low-income African-American families rented rather than owned their own properties making a return to the city largely unfeasible. This was reflected in some of the political campaigns underway in the city immediately following Katrina in which certain more affluent white politicians sought to keep it difficult for the displaced locals to return in order to strengthen their political influence. There is mention in this week’s episode of the State of Louisiana shifting from ‘Purple’ to ‘Red’ with the loss of a large percentage of New Orleans’ voting population (New Orleans is a traditionally Leftward-voting city in a majority Right Wing state).

Jazz Funeral – At Antoine’s teacher’s funeral we are witnessing the preparation for the New Orleans tradition of the jazz funeral in which a Second Line proceeds behind the hearse in a celebration of the deceased’s life as well as a cathartic sending off ritual.

The Music

La. Music Factory – The record store where Davis is seen dropping off some of his satirical CDs is the Louisiana Music Factory, a local independent record store.

Pineleaf Boys – The band that Annie auditions to tour with is Southern Louisiana Cajun/Creole group The Pineleaf Boys. The band is well regarded in Zydeco and Cajun music spheres and has won a number of Grammy Awards for their work.

Troy Andrews – Antoine registers some chagrin while playing the ‘clinic gig’ at the airport when he sees a driver holding a sign that reads ‘Troy Andrews”. This is ostensibly because he recognizes this to be the real name of local (now big-time) artist Trombone Shorty and is embarrassed to be seen playing at a venue with such low cachet.

Ooh Poo Pah Doo – The song that Trombone Shorty and his brother James Andrews (of New Birth Brass Band) join Antoine in singing and playing is Ooh Poo Pah Doo, a New Orleans classic written by their grandfather Jessie Hill.

Tipitina’s - This is the first time the show takes us inside the legendary music venue for the Pineleaf Boys’ performance.

Washboard Chaz – The band playing in Janette’s cooking venue of choice for the time being is the Washboard Chaz Blues Trio with Roberto Luti on slide guitar and Ben Maygarden on harmonica.

The Food

John Besh – The famous New Orleans chef makes his first in-person appearance on the show (having been mentioned by the celebrity chefs in Episode 5).

Bayona – Janette’s former sous chef mentions that he has been hired at Bayona, a local restaurant owned by Treme’s cooking consultant, Susan Spicer, who is also at least loosely the inspiration for Janette’s character.

Lil Dizzy’s – This is the second or third time that scenes have taken place inside Lil Dizzy’s restaurant (named after famed jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie). Lil Dizzy’s is a known hangout of active members of city politics.

Trout Baquet – Lil Dizzy’s is owned by Wayne Baquet, a member of an eminent New Orleans food family. Trout Baquet is one of the venue’s famous dishes and is ordered by Davis during his meeting with the judge.

Stuffed Mirliton – This is the second time this classic Creole dish is mentioned in the series and is one of the items that Davis brings to Janette when he learns of Desautel’s misfortunes.

-Patrick R

patrick@rabbitholeconsulting.com

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