Davis McAlary- "Now where the f*ck am I gonna eat breakfast?"
Treme is the highly anticipated New Orleans drama from the mind of The Wire creator David Simon. I have yet to watch The Wire, but I couldn't help but have really high expectations for the second creation from the guy who everyone seems to think made the best television show in the history of the world. Through a long series premier, and now the second episode, I'm a bit disappointed. I know it is just a drama, and therefore won't have the added plot intrigue of a LOST or Breaking Bad, but that doesn't mean I can't be disappointed in that.
The things that work great so far are the city, the music and Steve Zahn. New Orleans is a fantastic background, and like How to Make it in America does with New York, Treme really uses the city as a character. If you went into this with no knowledge, at no point are you wondering where it takes place. It's as much about New Orleans as it is about any of the characters.
The music that comes with New Orleans is also great. Everything from the opening credits, to Louis Prima's Buona Sera at the midpoint of the premier. From the authentic music jazz you get by the characters in the show, to the southern hip hop that Davis blasts form his window to annoy his neighbors. The city is so rich in music that it can not help but play a huge role in the show.
Even a legend like Elvis Costello has decided to take part in the project, appearing in each of the first two episodes. He has taken an integral in two great moments so far this season. In the premier he was merely watching the local band, as Steve Zahn's Davis tried to talk to him. It led to this gem from Davis who was quite terrified to be talking to Costello, "I taught him everything he knows...about Keynesian economics." In this week's episode Costello was working with a band in the studio and came up with 101 excuses not to join them for a night on the town. My favorite was when he tried to use tea and toast to get out of it.
Steve Zahn's Davis McAlary has easily been the best character in the show so far. He's so cynical and against the man of New Orleans, and so gung-ho about the history and local flavor of New Orleans. We've had only two episodes thus far and he's been fired from two jobs. The first, a local disc jockey position, came to an end when a legend of a guitar player sacrificed a chicken in the studio. "Ladies and gentlemen. Live chicken in the studio." The second, a bell hop at a hotel, came to an end when he started telling the tourists to go random sketchy places in the city. He couldn't help himself from letting these people see the real New Orleans, not just what the hotel wants the tourists to see. The anguish on his face when he started that job was fantastic. Even after he was fired, he told the tourists about the best breakfast place in town, only to realize "Now where the f*ck am I gonna eat breakfast?"
Sure I like John Goodman's character and the trombone guy who can't find a job, but Zahn has won me over early. Early on in the series it just seems like everyone is just living life. Sure they have problems and they need to work through things, but there's nothing that puts this show over the edge for me early on. I'm sure it will suck me in with some sort of twist as it moves along, but for now I'm in for the city, the music and Steve Zahn.
Agreed. There's nothing to sink your teeth into so far. I have no idea how they intend on handling story aspects. It seems to be all atmosphere and character, but to what end? I'm liking it but I hope it forms some sort of interesting narrative beyond that.
ReplyDeleteAlso when will you finally watch the f'n Wire?
yeah so even though it doesn't seem to have much of a narrative so far, you gotta figure there is a long term plan for one. i can't see it any other way.
ReplyDeletetoo much current tv to catch up on wire.