NeutralWord Ive read several review that comment that this is if you like wire... well and its possible they are correct. But i disliked the wire and love this show. A positive proves very little in science a negative result on the other hand that you can work with and find proof for a theory.Very much like the music focus mixed with dark social satire, most politics are very sad and funny at the same time if viewed in a certain light when ur not the one being shafted yourself.

eva-therese-701-10299 That wasn't an attempt at being snide, in case you were wondering. I'm not from America so I have no idea what this series is to people who are from the States but not from New Orleans, but for me it was as fascinating look into a place and people I didn't know anything about going in. And while there can be said a lot of good about the narrative trope of having an outsider who works as a link to the audience by asking all the questions that they want the answers to, I personally enjoy once in a while being thrown in at the deep and watching characters going about their daily lives and routines and if there's something I don't understand I will have to infer the meaning or else just live with the mystery. Of course it isn't all colourful costumes and plastic beards. Most of the characters and themes like the story arch of the chef or the violinist could be told with any place as a background, but since it takes place here, we learn about New Orleans food and music through them. The stories of police brutality and corruption could also, sadly, have happened anywhere, but the hurricane made everything worse and more chaotic. In the end, this is a slice of life, where we follow a group of people in their home town, until we leave them, partly changed, partly the same, without any special conclusion or wrap-up. Some doors are closed other are opened and we could easily have followed them for four more years. New Orleans might be a special place, but the people in it are just people; human, fragile and endearing even with all their flaws.

pjwills3 I first traveled to New Orleans in 05 prior to Katrina. I fell in love with the people, the music, the food, the history, and the list goes on. I have since returned 3 times and have observed the changes and spoken to many locals about the struggles they have encountered in reestablishing there lives. This series hits the nail on the head in this regards. The characters are real and I mean even the fictional ones. I know that many of the roles are based on real people and events. The emotional roller coaster that is Treme is an event that that no one should miss seeing. I enjoyed The Wire , The Sopranos,and other H.B.O. series but this may be the best.

walshbuckeye I think HBO is still looking for new era of blockbuster shows that they need to replace previous blockbusters like "The Sopranos", "The Wire", "Six Feet Under", "Sex and the City", etc. I don't think "Treme" reaches that far but it's a good start (but you never know). I have a feeling "Boardwalk Empire" will be the show that "reaches".No, it's not "The Wire" but it definitely has some of the same qualities. Urban life/culture, government incompetence/corruption, personal drama etc.The story line does a real good job of making New Orleans come alive. The music, the sights, the food all make the story just go.It does have it's flaws. I think it glorifies New Orleans to the point of where the viewer (that's not from NO or SE Louisiana) feels that New Orleans is the only place that has it's own quirky charm and culture. And they are plenty of cities that have their own cool way of life. Character development could be better. Steve Zahn's character can be distracting at times with his scheming and juvenile behavior. They need to explore more into Wendell Pierce, Melissa Leo, and Kim Dickens. Personally, I think Michiel Huisman needs to go. He comes off as your typical arrogant Eurotrash musician type that does too much cocaine, drinks too much, and is a total control freak. It wouldn't upset me if they scrapped the whole Sonny-Annie storyline(even though Lucia Micarelli is VERY talented). To me, those two really add nothing to the show.I do agree with some that there maybe too much music vs actual dialog.Overall I really like it and will continue to tune in. I don't think it will be a smash with the folks with Golden Globes or the Emmys (but I could be wrong) but HBO likes it enough for a second season. I am an American History junkie that was looking forward to "The Pacific" (Huge Disappointment) and instead got hooked into "Treme".