From the creators of The Wire: 'Treme'

[Capoeira]

Move over Baltimore. Treme is coming to town!

So much character, and not a person in sight.

The trailer gives very little away but dammit, it's got me pumped. It's David Simon's new TV series for godssake! And this is the first bit of media ever! Why can't you understand the significance of that?! If you can, high five. If you can't, watch The Wire and then we'll talk.

It's no secret that I consider The Wire to be quite possibly the most impressive TV show ever created, no question. No matter how many times I watch any one episode of that series, I'm still left feeling I got my times worth. Even the random episode I watched earlier tonight on ABC2 had me thinking about how ridiculously impressive it all was.

I'd be underselling it if I told you that I've not anticipated a new series premiere more than that of Treme. David Simon is the smartest man in television and everything the guy touches will turn to gold. I can't imagine Treme will be anything less that superb.

According to HBO, it'll air in April. Longest wait ever.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[mipac]

So what is the show about?
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[Capoeira]

From Wikipedia:

[JackSlack]

David Simons basically does drama as journalism. The vanishing of black people from the political radar has been one of the stories he's been most concerned by. Apparently, New Orleans, which highlighted this to the country, took his interest. I want to know the cast though.

[Spanca]

Capoeira have you read any of George Pelecanos' novels? He was one of the main writers on the Wire. I was given a couple of his books for my birthday in October and another for Christmas and I highly recommend them. Hard Revolution, the Way Home and the Night Gardener I've read. The Night Gardener was probably my favourite, but Hard Revolution reminded me most of the Wire's style. Worth a look.

edit: just to add to that now that I've refreshed my memory on his involvement in the Wire. He wrote the second last episode of season 1, then joined the production team from season 2, writing and producing. He also wrote Middle Ground (S3 E11) which got the show it's first Emmy nomination. I always thought the 2nd last episodes of each season were the best and coincidently George Pelecanos was the writer of the second last episode for every season.
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[Sin Ogaris]

I knew immediately from that trailer that it would be set in New Orleans... the emptyness coupled with the brass instruments (which are a staple of Orleans culture) gave it away immediately.

Knowing that Simons and Burns are at the helm of this means likewise, it is my most anticipated show EVER. I think it'll be good to see something set around the wake of Katrina as it's still a new disaster and one that is fresh in people's minds.

Cannot wait.

As an aside New Orleans was the main city I've always wished I could visit in America. I think this is still the case (as nothing could destroy culture that rich) but it's a shame I never got to see it prior to the disaster.

[Capoeira]

Actually Sin, I don't think Ed Burns is on board for this series. At least, he's not credited for anything so far. I hope he hops on board at some point as a staff writer. His stuff in The Wire was always among the best the series had to offer. The ending of Season 3 comes immediately to mind.

Simon and Overmyer are the guys helming the production of Treme. Don't worry about the latter guy though; he's worked with Simon in the past on their very first TV series, Homicide. The guys has earned his chops.

More cast news, looks like an old Homicide face will pop up as will everyone's favourite southern gentleman, John Goodman! Khandi Alexander, who gave an award winning performance in 'The Corner' will also star. There looks to be a few musician cameos too, Elvis Costello and Steve Earl (a.k.a. Walon) are the only two I recognize. All up, the cast list looks pretty damn solid.

How long till April? :'(

Spanc, I'll be sure to check out Pelecanos' stories. I'm also a big fan of his episodes. I'm actually reading David Simon's non-fiction novel, Homicide: A Year on the Killings Streets, right now and it is absolutely fantastic. There are scenes from The Wire that are essentially ripped straight out of this book. That drunken moment of bonding between McNulty and Bunk at the bar one night, the one that goes a something like, 'When it came time for you to fuck me, you were very gentle.' That entire exchange actually happened, word for word. It's amazing. There's awe- inspiring stuff about Ed Burns too. Find the book, read it, love it.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Capoeira]

Looks like HBO has put out some new media for this gem in the making:

Montage Trailer

Everything has such a great look to it. It's also good to finally see the faces of the people of Treme. I'm liking the girl with the violin. Something tells me this series is going to get me obsessed with a whole new brand of music too...

And for a closer look at where this show is going:

Behind the scenes - "Invitation to the set"

First ever dialogue! Bunk's booze shuffle! Tosha! John Goodman being poetic! Hype +

Not too long to go now.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[El Taco]

Just thought I'd put it in here, that David Mills, writer of The Wire + Treme has died today on the set of Treme. RIP
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R.I.P Tanya

[Capoeira]

Sad news indeed. Death is never a good thing, but when someone with such talent passes on, it seems all the worse.

There's been a lot more media released over the past few weeks. It seems like HBO are ramping up to the premiere in less than a fortnight's time. Remember April 11th.

I'd embed the new stuff, but it looks like Youtube has gone and revamped the site for April Fool's day. I can't find the embed code anywhere.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Capoeira]

The first episode is up! Go go go go!

I've nearly hit my download limit for the month but I don't care. I've been waiting too long for this!
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Capoeira]

Just got around to watching the pilot.

Pretty strong premiere for the series. That opening parade sequence had such a fantastic look and sound to it and did a great job of setting the style and tone for everything that followed. I was bobbing my head along to all of it, especially when Bunk made his triumphant entrance. Play for that money boys. Play for that mother-f***ing money. My man.

I had a strong feeling that music would play an integral part in Treme and that was vindicated by the episode. I'm not sure if you noticed but there was music playing in some form or another many of the scenes of the pilot, and what was there to listen to was fantastic. This is the kind of stuff that plays right to my tastes so I think I've got a whole other reason to look forward to upcoming episodes.

There were characters that really stood out to me, Steve Zahn's free spirited DJ Davis McAlary being the clear winner. Treme has it's Jimmy McNulty and he's just as much of a likable f***-up. His scene with Elvis Costello was laugh-out-loud stuff.

Wendell Peirce's Antoine Batiste was another of those 'I can't wait to see more of' characters. It's great to see the guy in another role. Just when you think you couldn't imagine the guy outside of a $200 suit, here he is selling the scrounging musician like he'd been doing it all his life.

Those two characters where the guys with the most screen time for this opening episode, but just like with The Wire, it will take time for everyone to reveal themselves to the viewers and make us truly appreciate them. Think of how long it took for Freamon to come out of his shell!

I didn't have a doubt in my mind that Treme would deliver. There's a lot more I could say right now but I'll let the words of Davis McAlary sum it up for me, 'I will have satisfaction'. And he was right.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Sin Ogaris]

Just finished downloading... I either sleep now or watch the episode. Gee, hard decision.

[Capoeira]

Treme has been renewed for a second season.

Wow. And after only a single episode too. If you've been on the fence till now, let this be a wake up call.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[Capoeira]

A few more useful Treme links:

NOLA.com have been putting up a series of articles that explain a lot of the more obscure New Orleans references contained within each episode. Well worth a read, if only to get a sense of just how well researched this series is. There'll be one for every episode of the season. One thing in particular that I found most impressive was that Creighton's youtube rant was based of a very real, very heartfelt rant of similar nature by Treme blogger Ashely Morris. Read it here.

I dare you to find another series that commits to its subject material as fiercely as Treme. When David Simon and co. decide they want to tell a story, they'll make sure it's as densely packed with authenticity as possible. It's remarkably impressive stuff.

http://www.nola.com/treme-hbo/
(Look for the 'Treme explained' series of articles.)

HBO have also been putting up a list of all the music that appears on the show. They'll have it all up there on an episode by episode basis, so it's always up to date. Very handy if you're loving what you hear. There's also this blog. Not as comprehensive, but it does let you listen to the tracks.

http://www.hbo.com/treme/index.html#/treme/episodes/1/04-at-the-foot-of-canal-street/music
(Here's the HBO link for the latest episode. There rest is all up there.)

Finally, a preview for tonight's episode:

I really hope there are more people watching this than just me an Sin. It deserves all the love it can get.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[ObsoletE]

yup - i'm watching. just finished the 3rd ep - great stuff.

it's strange, it's a bit of a slow-burner so far, but at the same time, it's incredibly densely packed.
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My Play-Asia Affiliate Link.

[adam_91vn]

I am watching as well. Finished the 2nd ep have the other 2 there to watch.

I just like focusing on the show when I watch rather than be on the computer at the same time so I have not gotten around to them.
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[Capoeira]

So the usual suspects then ;) Cool. Carry on...

Oh, I'd recommend getting the HD versions of the torrents. I went SD for the pilot (mainly because I grabbed the first file I found) but switched to HD since then and it's been like night and day. I am watching them on my PS3 though so the difference might be more noticable on the larger screen.
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Say You Want A Revolution

[TheAnswer]

Ive been watching also, waiting for the 5th Episode which should be available this afternoon
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RIP Buddha 19/10/1952 - 03/01/2004


Buy video games for cheap here: http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-3hy3-49-en.html

[chickenplucka]

just saw the pilot and have the rest downloaded. I'm really enjoying it so far and cant wait to see more of the characters.
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[Sin Ogaris]

Ep 5 is up, haven't got around to getting the fourth yet but they're both plugging away now. I'm really warming to Davis now, at first I thought he was a douche of the highest calibre, but I've come to realise he's just immensely passionate but can't really express himself as well as he should.

I'll be really interested to see how the lessons play out. John Goodman can be one scary dude.

[Capoeira]

[Capoeira]

Sooo, anyone catch the latest episode? Implied spoilers for episode 9...

The show was due for a moment like this. From the get go you had a feeling this would be the episode where whatever it was went down. The way it built up was almost unbearable to watch. I was seriously considering stopping the episode when it started to feel like a sure thing but I had to see it through...

Goddamn. What a total f***ng bummer. Season final next week. There's now one story that I'm not looking forward to seeing play out :(
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Say You Want A Revolution

[TheAnswer]

^
Yeah the ending of episode 9 had me bummed out if the storyline plays out how it looks, but looking at imdb it seems that actor is signed on for 20 episodes so hopefully thats not the case as I was really enjoying his character.
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RIP Buddha 19/10/1952 - 03/01/2004


Buy video games for cheap here: http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-3hy3-49-en.html

[TheAnswer]

Season 1 is finished and now the long wait for season 2. Just a shame about what happened to a certain character and the aftermath of that event.
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RIP Buddha 19/10/1952 - 03/01/2004


Buy video games for cheap here: http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-3hy3-49-en.html