"The Price" of Great SCANDAL

Article first published as TV Review: 'Scandal' - 'The Price of Free and Fair Elections' on Blogcritics.

ABC’s Scandal is a fast-paced thrill ride in the political world, but even compared to itself, its recent season finale, “The Price of Free and Fair Elections,” is bonkers. Perhaps the writers are rushed, ending the season earlier due to their leading lady’s pregnancy, or maybe they are just obsessed with topping December’s excellent mid-season ender. Whatever the reason, this hour is one to remember.

The framework of the story is set around election week. There are only days to go before the public votes on whether to keep Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) in the Oval Office. At the start of this episode, he’s ahead in the race. Then tragedy strikes and Vice President Sally Langston (Kate Burton) surges in the polls. Then another tragedy his and Grant wins. Viewers are left guessing right up until the end if there’s another twist around the corner. Scandal might have a tough time continuing as it is without a Grant presidency, but it seems like the type of series that might take that chance.

One wonders if Scandal is so cynical to believe that this is how politics work, or if it’s just trying to be the most soapy, angsty-filled drama on television. Surely creator Shonda Rhimes isn’t accusing our sitting leaders of election stealing and murder at their own hands. But there’s a point made here that this is how the system is set up. This is a dreary world, indeed, if what Scandal portrays is the only way national government can function.

Most shocking in this mess, is the action (or rather the inaction) of Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry). He’s been through a lot, his husband having been recently murdered and all, but even so, it’s surprising to watch him willing to let innocents die. It’s one thing (albeit one terrible thing) to allow a political rival and betrayer like Sally stay in harm’s way to ensure Grant will win the election. It’s quite another when there are bystanders in the line of fire. Cyrus knows this, but he doesn’t warn anyone. This is a harder, colder Cyrus then we’ve seen before. Without his love for James, is there nothing likeable left in the man?

Grant, on the other hand, has never been more sympathetic. Learning about his wife, Mellie’s (Bellamy Young), rape at the hands of his father, Grant stands by Mellie instead of following his heart to Olivia (Kerry Washington). Then, we watch as Grant loses his son, Jerry (Dylan Minnette), to poison. Finally, at his lowest point, Grant reaches out to the woman he loves for comfort, and Olivia ignores his call. Grant may still be president, but he is broken, and through no fault of his own. Grant isn’t perfect, far from it, but especially in “The Price of Free and Fair Elections,” he is a victim of circumstance.

Olivia, for her part, is justified in leaving. Her life sucks, serving Grant professionally, but unable to be with him. She’s right that so many bad things have happened in the past few years, even if blaming herself as the common factor doesn’t quite hold up. Of course she wants to get away from it all. And when a handsome man whom she’s slept with, Jake (Scott Foley), who has also done bad things but wants to start fresh and doesn’t care about Olivia’s baggage, why not let him come along? The two fly off into what could be a happy ending.

It won’t last, because Olivia, despite her best intentions, will never be happy to sit idly by on a beach. Nor will Jake, I imagine, given his most recent position as the head of the secret government organization that Olivia’s father, Rowan (Joe Morton), has been reinstated to and will likely kill Jake should the man come back to town, daughter’s happiness at stake or not. Not only will the couple soon be zooming home, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll stay together, Olivia never being able to get over Grant.

Did anyone else not see the turn coming that Rowan is the one who murdered Jerry? We know Rowan is evil; it’s necessary to do his job, and he’s never really pretended otherwise, though he has motivations for certain actions. But to kill a child just to get what he wants? A child who has done nothing to him? Ruining a family forever? That’s a whole new low, and it definitely begs for a schism in the repaired relationship between Olivia and Rowan. Olivia has to come back and dismantle B-613 all over again because it cannot be allowed to stand, with Rowan at the head or otherwise, as leadership for this organization is corrupting, as seen in Jake this year.

I’m sure Olivia’s organization will be glad to have Olivia back. Abby (Darby Stanchfield) can’t run things herself, and that’s the position she’s in. Harrison (Columbus Short) may very well be dead, at worst, and in B-613′s clutches, at best. Quinn (Katie Lowes) and Huck (Guillermo Diaz) are in the middle of their kinky, sick romance, so they won’t be of much use. That just leaves the redhead to handle things on her own, and she doesn’t seem quite up to the task.

What could happen, is that Abby puts her resources in the hands of boyfriend David Rosen (Joshua Malina) to help take down B-613, as Jake leaves Rosen some tools with which to do so. Again, I don’t think the two of them could accomplish this without Olivia’s brain- and will-power, but at least they could start. This is a hero’s journey, the knights off to slay the dragon, so it will be something to root for them on.

Rowan didn’t kill the mother of his daughter, Maya (Khandi Alexander), though he says he does. This is a good thing because she’s a terrific character and door remains open for her to return. But why does Rowan choose to let her live? She’s a terrorist and a woman that broke his heart. There’s definitely no going back for the couple, and she isn’t of much value alive. She doesn’t have lots of useful information, being out of the game for so long. She has murdered many. Rowan’s reasons for keeping her are unclear and puzzling.

“The Price of Freedom and Fair Elections” is a heck of a wild ride and that’s a good thing. A lot happens in the installment, but that’s how Scandal works best, rocketing along at top speed. Somehow, it manages to keep story and characters balanced while doing so, rarely knocking off anything and leaving it behind, and always going just slow enough to avoid missing its stops. I greatly look forward to see what Rhimes and company cook up for season four.

Scandal will return next fall on ABC.

TREME "...To Miss New Orleans"

Article first published as TREME "...To Miss New Orleans" on TheTVKing.

HBO's Treme brings its truncated fourth and final season to a close this week with "...To Miss New Orleans." It's Mardi Gras time once more. As 2009 is underway, things have returned to mostly normal for the city, allowing its residents to redirect their thoughts towards the future. Though, a few effects from Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath still linger, with long-reaching consequences.

I adore Treme. It's an authentic look at a specific place and time with compelling, intelligent characters. It's a celebration of the music and the spirit of New Orleans, and viewers are likely to learn a lot about the culture and lifestyle of its citizens. The writing is smart, the performers are excellent, and it's always entertaining to watch.

But it doesn't exactly tell a story in the traditional sense, meaning there is no real beginning or end for many plots. These installments have brought us events in various lives, but the people existed before Katrina hit, and will go on after, with Treme only giving us a small snippet of their tales. This isn't a complaint, but is is important to keep in mind when viewing "...To Miss New Orleans" because, unlike most TV series, there isn't a huge capper to tie up loose ends. It's just an illustration of where everyone is now.

About the most final thing that happens in "...To Miss New Orleans" is Chief Albert Lambreaux (Clarke Peters) is laid to rest. Suffering from cancer, the old man does not survive into the last hour, and his son, Delmond (Rob Brown), buries him. The Chief is sent off in the tradition of his people, as is appropriate, and he will be missed.

This section of the episode is not really about Albert, though. His time is done. The focus is on his son, and how he will live his life and honor his father. Delmond is still called to New York, as that's where his career is. He's reluctant to leave behind New Orleans, though, with its family legacy and the style of music he loves, something he wants his infant child to experience. These split desires make him feel unfit to replace his father in the eyes of their people, though his father wants him to do so, at least temporarily, making for a difficult decision.

Delmond finds a compromise. That's what people do. Nothing will ever be perfect, and one can't please everyone. But staying true to oneself is important, as is respecting one's ancestors. Delmond makes the best choice he can.

Annie (Lucia Micarelli) comes to a similar conclusion. Her manager, Marvin (Michael Cerveris, Fringe), wants to make her more marketable, but she fights back, insistent on retaining the integrity of her music. This threatens her career, but thankfully Marvin is wise enough to make a deal with Annie, allowing her some creative control if he gets to do everything else his way. It's an arrangement Annie can live with, even if it means missing Mardi Gras one year for a photoshoot.

When Treme begins, everyone is focused on New Orleans. They understand the role of the setting in their own lives, and celebrating the holiday becomes super important to them, more so than in the past, because they are holding on to what they've lost. Annie's choices in "...To Miss New Orleans" demonstrate a change, as the world continues to spin and individuals adapt to circumstance. Priorities shift, as sad as that can sometimes be.

Sofia (India Ennenga), on the other hand, holds onto New Orleans on this week of celebration, returning early from college to partake. She's only the latest to miss her home and come back, even if only for a visit. Apparently, it's a place that sticks with people, and beckons them back.

Sonny (Michiel Huisman), who has not been seen much in these last five episodes, doesn't play his instrument much anymore, sad, as that was all he used to do. Luckily, he has a wife who understands him and encourages him to get back to the music, making sure new focuses don't erase the old ones.

Davis (Steve Zahn) turns 40 and struggles in a big way to pick his new priorities. Can he continue through life as he has been, leaving no legacy behind him? He's at the age where he has to consider what his accomplishments are or will be. Only Davis can decide what that is, and he experiments a bit outside of his comfort zone in "...To Miss New Orleans."

I absolutely love that Davis and Janette (Kim Dickens) are together at the end, as they were at the start. In some ways they've undergone some big transformations, and in other ways, they are still the same people they started as. But they are good for one another in that they're both nice, supportive people, and they each deserve someone else like that in their lives.

Not every couple gets a happy ending. Terry (David Morse) takes voluntary retirement from the force after testifying about the evidence he falsified, and so decides to move to where his kids are. That means he leaves Toni (Melissa Leo). But as depressing as that may be, it's what's right for Terry, and Toni understands that. They'll both be OK.

Antoine (Wendell Pierce) has already done what Davis needs to do, growing up and acting responsible. He's found great love in teaching, and he still makes time for gigs to keep up his own chops and fulfill his passion as a performer. The next piece of that puzzle is doing right by his family, something Antoine has never been good at. In "...To Miss New Orleans," his sons come to live with him, and as in other parts of his life, he finds satisfaction in sharing his knowledge and love with his kids. He may have started down this path kicking and screaming, but it's the one he should be on, and I think he realizes and appreciates that.

Nelson's (Jon Seda) maturation is more accidental. It's time for him to move on from New Orleans, and he finds himself having difficulty in doing so. He's someone who has floated from place to place, following the money, but New Orleans clearly means something different to him. He attempts to leave a bit of himself, helping Jeanette with her business, and by the end, he belongs there just as much as those who dwell within. Surely, he'll visit over and over again.

There are a lot of characters in Treme, and while the review above hits most of the major ones, "...To Miss New Orleans" not only serves the remaining central players, including LaDonna (Khandi Alexander), but many of the recurring, supporting ones as well, sprinkled with actual New Orleans musicians. It's a big place, and all these various viewpoints give us access to a good chunk of it, not just the narrow vision a handful of cast members would provide. It's a very full installment, one true to the rest of the show.

I am sad Treme is done now and will miss it. However, it's nice to look back and appreciate the body of work that this series is. As the episode ends, the music plays, a funeral for the program itself, and we catch a final glimpse of most of the characters, giving just the right feeling for the send off. The emotions evoked in those moments echo those felt throughout the series, and the ones coming now that it's ended. It's a wonderful finale, even if it doesn't seem like the end.

SCANDAL Makes a Heck of an "Exit"

Article first published as SCANDAL Makes a Heck of an "Exit" on TheTVKing.

I am ashamed to say I fell behind on ABC's excellent Scandal this fall. But marathoning through the recent installments, culminating in "A Door Marked Exit" this past Thursday, I was very impressed. The entire run has been built expertly, stringing along various bits that mesh together in the most exciting and unexpected of ways, and ending with a number of absolutely stellar performances by several cast members.

The biggest shocker going into the finale is when Vice President Sally Langston (Kate Burton) kills her husband, Daniel Douglas Langston (Jack Coleman). Daniel has been cheating on Sally with James (Dan Bucatinsky) and is intent on leaving her, destroying her political career, but I think it's more Sally's personal pain that causes her to snap and lash out. She's been played for a fool by a man she loves and trusts, and she isn't the type to let him get away with it.

Sally calls Cyrus (Jeff Perry) to clean up the mess. Since James is Cyrus' husband and Cyrus is aware of the cheating, something he and Mellie (Bellamy Young) set up, though Cyrus hadn't expected James to go through with it, this may not be the best situation for Cyrus to go into. Cyrus keeps things together enough to get rid of the body in a non-suspicious way, using his power and influence. But he is also deeply affected, vomiting in a moment of weakness.

The performances by Burton and Perry are both amazing. Burton's shock and Cyrus's grief, both knowing that they bear direct responsibility for the circumstances and not being sure how to handle it, comes through. Both manage to capture all of the layers of the event, making them sympathetic, in spite of the despicable things they have done. Wow, they've come a long way since their days as Meredith Grey's parents!

The full weight of Douglas' death had not yet settled. Mellie Grant, at least, thinks she has Sally right where she wants her, blackmailed into not running against President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant (Tony Goldwyn) in the upcoming election. But once Sally starts thinking clearly again, she may decide revenge is the best strategy, as she has every reason to blame Mellie and Cyrus for pushing her into the deed. With the deliciously calculating Leo Bergen (Paul Adelstein, Private Practice) figuring out the truth and wanting to help Sally win, she might have a shot.

The more interesting question is, will Cyrus and James' marriage survive? They've been pushed to their limits before by one another, but unlike in the past, Cyrus is utterly broken when James leaves this time, a man who has lost the most precious thing in the world to him, and he's too upset to try to manipulate James back home. Instead, he offers James his dream job, something that could lead to professional trouble for Cyrus, and that only brings James back to the house, not doing anything towards repairing their emotional bond.

This raises the debate of when is a relationship dead? James has always used Cyrus for his own gain, but now it appears that's all that's left between them. Can Cyrus really be happy if James never forgives him, James only sticking around because he would have to give up the lifestyle to which he is accustomed if he left? I really hope they can move past this because, despite what Cyrus has done, he definitely cares about his partner.

Other relationships also remain broken. Huck (Guillermo Diaz) has no intention of welcoming Quinn (Katie Lowes) back into the fold, even though she can forgive him for torturing her, pushing her into the arms of Charlie (George Newbern), who would turn on her if ordered to do so. Jake (Scott Foley) has given up on having a relationship with Olivia (Kerry Washington), since Olivia is back to sleeping with Fitz. And Olivia isn't on good terms with either of her parents.

Olivia's mother, Marie (Khandi Alexander, Treme), is an escaped con who returns to D.C. with unknown motives. She may want to get even with her husband, Rowan (Joe Morton), for locking her up all of these years. She'll definitely want to get to know Olivia, and probably won't like it when Olivia turns less than receptive, now that Olivia knows how bad a person Marie is.

Rowan also can't be happy with his daughter, knowing Olivia's boyfriend has him removed from his post, with Jake taking over the shady organization.  Rowan surely has connections that can help him retake his position. And Jake's seat gives Fitz new powers no president should have. Time will tell if Jake can be a better leader than Rowan, with or without POTUS consent. It's all kind of a mess.

Not to mention, David Rosen (Joshua Malina) will now be on Sally and Cyrus' scent for the coverup of Daniel's death, even if lead James recants, now that a second person, Shelby Moss (Julia Cho, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries), has come forward with solid evidence.

Scandal delights at keeping every character off balance, each always scheming, forming alliances when it suits them, and working to take others down. It's not like Dallas, in which everyone vies for their own power, as some actually have noble intentions. But it is a well-written, well-performed Shakespearean drama of screwed up people, ripe with constant betrayals, murders, and secrets, making for a fast-paced, compelling series.

Scandal will return for its uninterrupted spring run on ABC in a couple of months.

TREME Stands Up and Declares "Yes We Can"

Article first published as TREME Stands Up and Declares "Yes We Can" on TheTVKing.

HBO's Treme, which tells the story of individuals in post-Katrina New Orleans, begins its final five episodes this week with "Yes We Can." The series deserves better than to be canceled after less than four years, but at least they've been granted the opportunity to wrap the story up right. The first episode back is true to form, and represents the start of a new chapter.

After years of struggle, New Orleans is finally returning to normal, if not coming back triumphant. "Yes We Can Can" begins with the election of President Barack Obama in 2008, and finds the citizens of the city celebrating. The leaders who did them wrong are gone, and African Americans are proud to see someone that looks like them in the White House. All around, it's a victory.

This sort of mirrors the lives of those in the story. Antoine (Wendell Pierce) has a job he likes, feeling like a father figure to the students to whom he teaches music. Albert Lambreaux's (Clarke Peters) cancer is in remission. LaDonna's (Khandi Alexander) new bar is almost ready to open, and she and Albert are very happy together.

These people deserve this peace of mind and comfort. They have struggled, rebuilding themseleves in the wreckage of their homes, and it's about time they feel like they're not just living day-to-day anymore. It's been a long road to get back to normality, but one can recognize that that's exactly what has happened in a major way.

Which is not to say that everything is perfect again. LaDonna misses her kids and wishes to bring them home with her, which isn't possible yet. Terry (David Morse) is still fighting corruption and seeking justice, even as his own bosses have turned against him. Sonny (Michiel Huisman) discovers first-hand how bad the police stations are working, or rather, not working. These are real problems that can be attributed to the Katrina chaos.

But notice, that doesn't describe everyone in the cast. Those are just a few characters still battling, and even their lives are not completely focused on such things. Terry's job sucks and is difficult, but he gets to go home to Toni (Melissa Leo) and her warm house at the end of the day. Circumstances are improving for everyone.

Now, real life isn't always easy and smooth, so there are still, and always will be, challenges. Janette (Kim Dickens) is trying to make a go of a new restaurant after her old partner drove her away. Davis's (Steve Zahn) music career is collapsing. Delmond (Rob Brown) isn't sure if he can leave his father yet and get his career back on track. Annie (Lucia Micarelli) has hit a ceiling in her own advancement.

Yet, these seem like the type of issues the characters would face even if their hometown hadn't been destroyed. This represents movement and vitality. These are the types of obstacles they only dreamed about in the aftermath of Katrina. New Orleans is alive once more.

Of course, besides the great characters, there is plenty of authentic music and guest stars from the area dropping in as themselves. Treme has always been realistic to the scene, and "Yes We Can" is no different in that regard. As much as growth and development furthers everyone's stories, Treme remains the same basic tale it started out as: one of strong, determined people who will survive, no matter what, bolstered by their melodies. Their spirit, while relatable, is also unique, much like their jazz clubs will never turn into a large hall, no matter what Nelson (Jon Seda) and his ilk try to do.

The one thing that feels different is that there seems to be much more interaction between the main players all of a sudden. Treme has usually told many different stories that weave together more because of the setting than because these lives are interwined, with paths only occasionally crossing. Four seasons in, the tiny encounters and interactions have begun to build into something more cohesive. Viewers have always seen the cast as a family, bound together by the series; now the characters actually are relating to one another. What a great, feel-good way to end the show!

Treme airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

Treme ends at "Tipitina"

The third season of Treme comes to a close this week in "Tipitina," and with only an abbreviated run next year left before the series bows out forever, there is a lot of closure. It's been some time since the storm now, and everyone is trying to resume a normal life. This means that there are ups and downs, as most people experience, but the catastrophe figures less and less into the residents' every day lives.

Many of the characters are at great peaks, doing very well, having persevered, despite the odds. Toni (Melissa Leo) is probably the happiest. It has take her a long time to get over her husband, who killed himself in season one, but now she has a new romance with Terry Colson (David Morse), one of the few good cops in New Orleans, and even her daughter, Sofia (India Ennenga) can't complain about that. Add to this, Toni is close to getting movement on the case she's been working since just after Katrina, and she is in a great place.

Antoine (Wendell Pierce) is also doing well, but not in the way that he had expected. He has truly found teaching to be a rewarding experience, and through that, he has reconnected with music in ways that he didn't even consider before. He gets to devote himself to the craft, share it with others, and expand his own knowledge. He may not have made it professionally, but he is moving in that direction with a different bend.

That's not all. Sonny (Michiel Huisman) marries Linh (Hong Chau), Annie (Lucia Micarelli) puts out a hit record, Desiree (Phyllis Montana LeBlanc) brings attention to an important cause, and Davis (Steve Zahn) becomes a viral sensation, thanks to his friends.

All of this is inspiring. Hurricane Katrina was so devastating, it's a wonder that so many characters are doing so well only a few years later. This is the kind of stuff viewers hunger to see, triumphs over the worst that life has to offer, people managing to move on, and make something worthwhile of themselves. They probably won't stay on top forever, but seeing them reach these heights proves that working hard and diligently pays off. Some spirits cannot be broken.

Even LaDonna (Khandi Alexander) sort of belongs in the positive column. Her bar has been burned down, and the guy who wronged her goes free because of a hung jury. But the community rallies around her. She has supporters and people who care about her, as evidenced by the benefit concert conducted in her honor. She can't help but be a bit upbeat in "Tipitina," no matter what else is going on.

Actually, "Tipitina" brings together most of the main characters at LaDonna's party. Usually, their paths cross only rarely, and while Treme tells the stories of lots of individuals, their separate paths are not closely intertwined. Yet, choosing this particular occurrence to bring them all together is really cool, and I would definitely like to see more scenes like this before the series ends.

Now, that's not to say that everything is perfect, by any means. Albert (Clarke Peters) has cancer. Janette (Kim Dickens) thought she had her dream job, only to be railroaded by her business partner, who has different ideas about the restaurant. Davis' smash success comes because his pals wanted to help after seeing just how frustrated he had become with the music industry, and his inability to accomplish what he set out to do. Terry's department is hostile towards him because he stood up for justice, as several fellow officers' expense. None of these can be dismissed lightly.

However, the sun always comes out. Each of these characters have had good days and bad. They continue from those points, and they will have more ups and downs. Hopefully, with the final season looming, the last handful of episodes will see even more positive changes. But not everyone can live happily ever after; that only happens in fairy tales. Instead, Treme remains the story of a strong-willed population that doesn't lose hope. If we take that message to heart, it has done its job.

One quick concern: I am digging the vibe that has sprung up between LaDonna and Albert, but LaDonna's husband, Larry (Lance E. Nichols), is a good man. He does not deserve to be cheated on. I find myself hoping that LaDonna is only interested in Albert platonically, but that really doesn't seem to be the case. True, Larry doesn't always seem to understand LaDonna's suffering, while Albert can relate, but is that a good enough reason to break up a marriage?

Treme will return to HBO next year for a fourth, shortened, final season.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter! First published on TheTVKing

Treme proclaims "Do Watcha Wanna"

     Named for a famous song featured heavily in the episode, HBO's Treme second season finale is called "Do Watcha Wanna." It's been a long year, as the citizens of the once proud city continue to pick themselves up, even as federal aid disappoints, and help leaves. The nation turns its eyes away. Some parts of New Orleans begin to thrive again, while others continue to rot, both literally, and figuratively. There isn't much that can be done by most folks besides to persevere and hope for the best. Which is what the characters do, unable to abandon their homes. Some find accomplishment and satisfaction, while others are disappointed. But their love of the city ties them together and keeps them moving on.


     Some characters find themselves in better places than when the season begins. Sonny (Michiel Huisman) is clean and sober. This is quite a journey for him. Sonny is a hero, who rescues children during Katrina's immediate aftermath. But struggling as a musician, and losing girlfriend, Annie (Lucia Micarelli), Sonny goes to a very dark place, slipping further and further into illegal substance abuse, which certainly does not help his lack of income problem. Band mate Cornell Williams (a version of himself) likely saves Sonny's life, getting him back on the right track. It's a relief, because Sonny's story is potentially as tragic as it is touching. Sonny still has a ways to go, but he's on the right track, which is more than can said for everyone in New Orleans circa 2007.

     Delmond (Rob Brown) moves back to New Orleans to help his father, Albert (Clarke Peters). While Delmond has not lived in New Orleans since before the series begins, Albert is one of the first to return. Albert plays by the rules when trying to rebuild his house, but is repeatedly let down by the system. Luckily, son Delmond tricks him into accepting money after they cut an album together, lying and saying the money came from advance sales. Albert is a proud man who will not willingly accept financial help, but thinking he earns it, Albert now has the funds needed to make his home liveable again. Not only is Delmond giving money, but he's providing labor, too, being the best son possible. Considering the issues this pair have, it's a supremely generous act.

     After many bad choices, Sofia (India Ennenga) begins to get over her father's death. Sofia's mother, Toni (Melissa Leo), lies about how Sofia's dad committed suicide, and when Sofia learns this, she acts out in worse and worse ways. Finally, Toni, who pours most of her effort into her nearly thankless job, slams the hammer down. It's what the teenage girl needs, and it's enough to get Sofia back on track. When a man they both respect, city councilman Oliver Thomas (himself), has to resign after he takes bribes, they bond over the shared loss, and are able to connect when discussing him.

     It's very unexpected to see Thomas play himself in this fictional series. Thomas hasn't ridden to success, but instead, loses his position. Yet, he agrees to come on Treme and portray the events he'd gone through in real life. Thomas, despite his flaws, is treated with respect as a character. He comes across as a decent man who makes a mistake, and not everyone loses all faith in him for it. It's a complex character, and one welcome on a great series like Treme, especially with the authenticity that Thomas lends.

     Some characters find themselves in a holding pattern. Davis (Steve Zahn) is back to being a DJ. He has his share of developments as he builds a band, a record label, and a new musical style, much of it with the help of his Aunt Mimi (Elizabeth Ashley). But it isn't long before it all disappears, and he is forced to return to employment he is fired from on numerous occasions, working for a boss who does not understand him at all.

     Davis is used to disappointments, but he seems to weather the latest bouts better than previously. This may have something to do with his successful romantic relationship with Annie, who, despite her own grief after a close friend is murdered, is happy to be with Davis, and surely deserves credit for his happiness. The couple provide a realistic look at how some people are built to overcome many a trial, and stay optimistic. So even as Davis goes back to where he was, he is still looking for the next thing to try again to better his life. Davis and Annie provide some heartening stories when things get bad for others.

     After a stint as a chef in New York City, Janette (Kim Dickens) considers returning to New Orleans and once more running her own restaurant. Janette really struggles, bouncing through a few different eateries in the Big Apple, after losing her place down south. But, in fact, she shows little signs of home sickness, even enjoying her latest gig, until, during a visit to New Orleans, she sleeps with her sous chef, Jacques (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine). While this is pretty much forbidden in Janette's field, their pairing is as sweet as it is unexpected. It makes sense for Janette to go back home now, as the series follows her even while she's away, and it's good that such happy news may be the reason she returns.

     LaDonna (Khandi Alexander) realizes she wants to return to her bar, despite what had happened to her there. Her husband, Larry (Lance E. Nichols), had tried getting LaDonna to sell her establishment, and when LaDonna is sexually assaulted there late one night, she shows little interest in going back to her bar. Larry takes that as a omen that she'll finally ready to move on. But then LaDonna gives an impassioned speech in "Do Watcha Wanna" that reveals just how much her life in New Orleans means to her, and how much she is suffering. It echoes the sentiments of so many people at that time and place. It's a moving moment that will most probably earn Alexander another Emmy nomination, and it sparks a change in Larry. Seeing her passion renewed, he insists on keeping the bar and moving the family back to the city. For LaDonna, getting back to normal is a feat, not just status quo.

     And then other characters end up worse off. Antoine (Wendell Pierce) loses the band he'd created. But is that such a bad thing? While Antoine has plenty of problems with the musical gigs he lines up as a player, things get much more difficult when he forms his own group. Even after shoving some of the responsibility off on someone else, keeping a bunch of artistic types together is a challenge that gives him more headaches than its worth. However, Antoine is also working at a school, and seems to be finding his niche in music education. The students have a desire to be there, and to learn from the many things experience has taught Antoine. It is a job he resists, but one that may end up being his true calling.

     Terry (David Morse) has tried to drive away Toni to better do his job. The two are getting so close, it had become almost  inevitable that romance would soon bloom. And then it doesn't, as they find themselves on opposite sides of some very tricky legals issues.

     With the police force in tatters and facing major public humiliation, Terry is the one who makes the decision to go down a separate path, quietly seeking FBI help, while Toni strikes out with the Department of Justice. Many cops will soon lose their jobs, and that will be thanks to Terry. But for him to make it happen, and try to keep some dignity for the office for which he works, he is forced to make a choice, and he picks against Toni. Any chance of a reconciliation in season three is simply a pipe dream as this point. But without that hope, there isn't a lot for Terry to look forward to when not on the job.

     Hidalgo (Jon Seda), who arrives in New Orleans full of piss and vinegar at the season's start, finds his dreams dashed. Always a bit sleazy as he makes his money in "deals," and don't ask him to get more specific, Hidalgo is looking to make his fortune. Sure, he enjoys the culture of New Orleans, but that is not his main goal. In "Do Watcha Wanna," things flop for the would-be tycoon, and he ends up loosing all the personal capital he had been building. Hidalgo is advised to lay low, but that's just not in his nature. The question is, will Hidalgo still be around for season three with new schemes, or has this swindler been driven out of town for good? The latter would be nice for the characters in Treme, but Seda keeps Hidalgo mostly inoffensive, and his acting talent would be missed.

     So maybe claiming these three are worse off is overstating the problem. There is not a single character on Treme who has it easy, but two seasons in, their tenacity is heroic, and certainly bears repeating through multiple seasons to come. One of the finest hours of drama currently running on television, infused with a sense of realness and bursting with authentic music, aided by using actual residents, Treme is must-see. If you haven't seen it yet, please do so before season three comes around. It could use better ratings.


     Treme will return for a third season on HBO, expected to begin in the spring of 2012.

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Article first published as TV Review: Treme - "Do Watcha Wanna" on Blogcritics.

Treme likes to "Accentuate the Positive"

     HBO's Treme begins its second season with "Accentuate the Positive." This episode is set fourteen months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, and about seven months after the end of season one. The sprawling cast of characters continue to try to rebuild their city and lives, while new people arrive in town. Other New Orleans residents, who have left the city for various reasons, try to forge new identities outside of their beloved home, but find themselves unable to escape its haunting cry. And of course, the authentic New Orldeans music, certainly one of the best elements of the series, is back!

     Toni (Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo) has not told her daughter, Sofia (India Ennenga), that Sofia's father Creighton (John Goodman) committed suicide. Instead, Toni insists that his death is an accident. It is impossible to tell if Sofia believes her mother or not, but their relationship is certainly strained, be it by lie or blame placement. Toni cannot get Sofia to open up about anything, only to respond angrily. Yet, Sofia does have feelings, as she takes to the web to continue Creighton's rants against the things continuing to go wrong in New Orleans.

     Goodman's presence is missed. Creighton is a larger than life character, and dominates much of the first season. While his death is not a tragedy on the scale of the hurricane that devastated the city, it does have a very large impact on his family. Both wife and daughter deal with the loss in very different ways, but that could be because of the differing information they have been given. Toni is beginning to recover, but Sofia still has a long way to go.

     Toni is helped along with her recovery because of the many battles she still has to wage. Her latest cause is fighting the city to reverse the enormous fees they have put against parades. Citing the high crime rate and costs associated with protecting citizens during any events, New Orleans is now asking far more than its residents can afford to carry on its rich cultural traditions. Toni is fighting for a way of life. It's a David versus Goliath story, and so she is supremely sympathetic.

     Also becoming sympathetic is Lieutenant Colson (David Morse, now a series regular), tasked with stopping the growing peril criminals have brought to the neighborhoods. In this first episode alone, there is a shootout at a bar and a woman is murdered for her purse in the street, not to mention the events only discussed, but never seen. New Orleans has suffered enough, and yet, some people can't help but take advantage of the situation. Colson is doing everything he can, but to no avail. The struggle calls into question basic human nature, and whether man is inherently good or evil.

     Pressure mounts on both Antoine (Wendell Pierce) and Ladonna (Khandi Alexander) to give up their way of life. Desiree (Phyllis Montana LeBlanc) wants Antoine to get a "real" job, but considering that playing his trombone is his greatest joy, it would be unthinkable for him to trade in the instrument for a desk. He might as well leave the city if he does that, because its biggest draw will have been taken from him. Larry (Lance E. Nichols) tries to talk Ladonna into following her family north, but she refuses to give up her bar or her home. It is a wonder that Ladonna and Antoine can't reconnect, as surely they would be able to relate about love ones not understanding their basic needs.

     Another similar pair are Janette (Kim Dickens) and Delmond (Rob Brown), who have traded in new Orleans for New York City. Janette works for a verbally-abusive chef, while Delmond has stuck with his music career, having just released a new album. A couple of guys tell Delmond he has "transcended" New Orleans, earning his ire. Delmond is allowed to criticize New Orleans, but doesn't want anyone else doing it. While Delmond does not live in Louisiana in season one, he still cares a great deal for it. Janette just does not seem happy at all, and while not explicitly stated, it is certain she longs to returns home. It is likely both characters will be back in the South sometime later this season.

     Albert (Clarke Peters) is forced out of the building he has called home since the storm ended when its rightful owner returns. This echoes a problem among many New Orleans residents. Property owners didn't immediately return, but when they have, they want their belongings returned. Albert, on the other hand, never left, and feels like he has more right to the place than the man who abandoned it. While Albert leaves without much of a fight, knowing it's one he cannot win, there are ill feelings that will not be resvoled anytime soon.

     When Albert took over the place, it was in sorry shape. He has worked hard to rebuild it, and find a suitable living space within the ravaged city. Doesn't that give him some claim to the building? After all, not only did the owner not come back for it until over a year has passed, but he did nothing to start to restore his property. While the legal terms must be taken into account, there is something to say for survivors who stuck it out in their home, and it makes the question of who deserves the land more of a sticky question, morally speaking,

     The love triangle between Davis (Steve Zahn), Annie (Lucia Micarelli), and Sonny (Michiel Huisman) is far from over. Davis and Annie have gotten pretty serious over the hiatus, but Sonny is back, looking cleaned up and sane. In fact, Sonny gets to perform with Annie in a local club, and is nothing but gracious to both her and Davis. Sonny and Annie feel more right than Annie and Davis, so it's quite possible that the new relationship will be short lived. Which is fine, as long as Janette comes back to Davis.

     Poor Davis is the nice guy who can't ever win. He loves music, but is much more an admirer than a performer. He is currently working once more as a radio DJ, but clashes with his boss, per uual. Davis deserves a steady job he is passionate about and a nice woman in the same vein. While Annie is into music and Janette is more about cooking, both are artists authentic to the city, making either a suitable mate for Davis. With everything Davis and the place he loves have gone through, it's time that he is happy, whether that is completely realistic or not.

     There is a new man in town in the form of Nelson Hidalgo (Jon Seda, The Pacific, Close to Home). At first, it appears that Nelson has come to New Orleans from Dallas, Texas just to make money, having been assured by his cousin there is plenty of opportunity here. But Nelson quickly falls in love with the city, its people, its cuisine, and its music. It's not just an act, as Nelson drags his reluctant cousin, who is more concerned with working than enjoying himself, anywhere he can soak up the culture. Granted, this is a new experience for Nelson, but it looks like love at first sight.

     The question is, how will Nelson's arc develop? Will he be a heartless speculator who puts the almighty dollar first? Sure, he plans on staying because of the aforementioned attraction, but that doesn't mean he is loyal to anyone who gets in the way of his profit. Or he may be, as he witnesses the hardships the locals have gone through and begins to feel sorry for them. One episode in, with only scant minutes of screen time because of so many characters he must share the show with, it is impossible to know what kind of man Nelson really is. Inevitable, we will find out.


     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     Treme airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET. Do yourself a favor and be sure to tune in.

Article first published as TV Review: Treme - "Accentuate the Positive" on Blogcritics.

Down in the Treme

     Ah, Treme.  HBO's series, set in New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina devastated it, is a breath of fresh air.  It's unique and original.  The characters are believable, and have so many layers.  Last night's hour and a half season finale, "I'll Fly Away", was moving.  It wasn't an extraordinary episode, measured against any other.  It was like real life, continuing in it's twists and turns.  The only really stand out part was the ten minute or so sequence where we got to see all of the characters just before the storm.  But the fact that no part of Treme does stand out as especially more dramatic as any other is why the series works so well.  Sure, there are ups and downs, but everything flows along like a Second Line parade.

     The most heart breaking plot involved the suicide of Creighton Bernette (John Goodman, an actual resident of the city).  It was so nice to see him in the before the storm segment, acting normally with his family.  Damn imdb.com teases us, listing him as full time for the upcoming second season, but surely that is not to be.  His writer / activist was certainly one of the most fascinating characters, and while it was obvious from the beginning of the penultimate episode that he intended to take his life, suddenly cheery after all his frustrations  Yet, it made no sense, in that he had plenty to live for.  His family certainly didn't see it coming, and while I did, I still don't know why he did it.  My heart goes out to his wife Toni (Melissa Leo) and daughter Sofia (India Ennenga).  That's a testament to how un-fictional the family seemed.

     Elswhere, it appears that Davis (Steve Zahn) failed to stop Janette (Kim Dickens) from leaving town.  If her character doesn't return for the second season, she will be sorely missed, but I suspect she may soon be back in the south.  She just doesn't seem like a New York City gal.  However, the hints of a love interest for Davis in Annie (Lucia Micarelli, a real musician) make much more sense, and I would like to see that blossom.  It was clear that Davis and Janette weren't meant for each other, even to the characters themselves, but Annie seems a perfect match.  And Davis for her, much more so than her jerk of an ex-boyfriend, Sonny (Michiel Huisman).  I was gratified that she left him, and hope she never does back.

     Antoine (Wendell Pierce) needs to clean up his act.  Gambling away most of the money he made at his latest gig won't support his family.  How many kids does he have, anyhow?  I kept thinking he could find someone more attractive than the woman he is currently with, but he certainly doesn't deserve better.  I kind of root for him to get back with ex Ladonna (Khandi Alexander) because he actually seems to care about her, but she certainly deserves a good man, and seems to have found one.  I hope that she doesn't let past chemistry screw up what she has any more than it already has.

     Finally, is Delmond (Rob Brown) ever going to listen to his father, Indian Chief Albert (Clarke Peters) and return to his home?  He should.  He's the character that seems most disposable to me, so much more than John Goodman was.  In contrast, his father is part of the heart of New Orleans.  Between his civil disobedience and gathering back his tribute, Albert is a pillar of the community.  I hope things start going better for him soon.