Hanging in the Treme

"Treme," the latest series from "Wire" creator David Simon, wrapped up its third season last Sunday. The show was renewed by HBO for a fourth and final season, one that will be 4-5 episodes.

Some might consider the show a failure in some ways. It has failed to reach the popular heights of other HBO shows, failed to generate the kind of intense fan interest of "The Wire," and failed to gain the kind of critical acclaim the network had hoped. But the question is whether that is a product of the show itself, or the false expectations of the audience.

"Treme" was never going to be "The Wire" in terms of content and flow. They are different stories, different ideas, and different worlds. We, as the audience, need to accept that. And many have. But the question is whether it is effective in what it seeks to do. After much consideration, I believe it is.

"Treme" bucks the typical trend in scripted TV — that each episode is an event, driving the plot and characters forward. It eschews that kind of forward progress for a tone that feels a lot like every day life. In life, things don't happen fast. They happen at an irregular pace.

In life, people don't always make the right decision — in fact they rarely do. In life, things don't happen the way you'd like — in fact life can be frustrating that way. In life, people tend to grow a part over time if they don't work to keep their relationship vibrant — even if you think they're perfect for each other. That's the really that "Treme" understands. Much like the jazz music that fills each episode, the notes go places you wouldn't expect, but somehow its all part of the fabric of the melody of life.

That's simultaneously the show's greatest strength and the reason why people have trouble connecting to it. People watch shows to escape into a world of fantasy where the story defies the conventions of real life. "Treme" feels like an authentic slice of life each week — embracing the bitter, the sweet, and the frustratingly inane.

In that sense, the show has been a success. It will be interesting to see how this ends — ideally without major revelations and growth. Much like life, these characters are embracing their future one day at a time.