Treme Observations: “Meet The Boys On The Battlefront”
by Latoya Peterson
*Spoilers*
The second episode of Treme was full of political references and began building the tension that will push the plot forward.
(Before I get into the analysis, The Times-Picayune has published a second weekly guide to the references in Treme, which is well worth a read.)
The episode opens with local musician Coco Robicheaux reminiscing about the good old days, then pledging his loyalty to Marie Laveau at the radio studio where Davis is broadcasting. After breaking out a live chicken from his bag, Davis nervously gulps “Are we entering some sacrificial realm here?”
Robicheaux replies, ”You just play the next cut on the CD.”
Despite the colorful opening, this episode of Treme is fraught with political tension. Toni, the investigator, sits down with other members of law enforcement trying to locate Ladonna’s missing brother, David. The scene is used to explore the issues of prisoner rights post-Katrina. The story explains that many prisoner’s went missing, and their records were destroyed in the storm, meaning they could be free or in lock-up. While one of the law enforcement officers floats the idea that Ladonna’s brother could be “doing Katrina time in East Jesus,” Toni is still hopeful he will be found. The episode also references the fact that poorer parishes in Louisiana may not be so enthusiastic about returning prisoners to NOLA – it would symbolize a loss of FEMA funds, which most cash strapped states desperately need. Toni traces David to another parish, only to disappoint Ladonna and her mother by finding a different David Brooks.
Back on the scene downtown, two musicians named Sonny and Annie are rocking out with the live music. They are entertaining a group of church going volunteers who came down to help with the rebuilding effort, with both Annie and Sonny voicing different perspectives on the nature of the help. While Annie expresses gratitude for the extra assistance, Sonny demands more answers of the outsiders: “Have you ever heard of the 9th ward before the storm? So why are you so fired up about it now?” He mocks the small group before finally breaking the tension by playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Checking in with Creighton, we find the professor going off about staff and resource cuts. He is aggrieved at chopping classes and majors dealing with engineering and infrastructure, and channels his rage toward the remaining majors like women’s studies, Jewish studies, and Africana studies. As Creighton puts it, “I am black, Jewish woman, hear me roar.” This tirade is not commented upon by the other character in the room. Later in the show, Creighton has a conversation with his daughter about school which reveals some contradictions. While his daughter does not want to return to boarding school, she is concerned about coming home to a public school when she has been educated in private schools. When Creighton assures her that her education will be taken care of by the university taking over one of the public schools, she grows concerned, asking about the fates of the public school kids. Creighton sighs and reminds his daughter that a lot of things aren’t fair.
Davis, after being fired from the radio station, returns to his parent’s home to beg for more cash. Here it is revealed that Davis has well-off parents and a long time black servant of the family, Melba. Davis asks his parents for more money, which they agree to if Davis finds himself another form of employment. Interestingly enough, both Davis and Janette are in the position of asking their families to help them out through hard times. Janette, the restaurant owner, asked her parents for $20,000 additional dollars, to which they replied they could do five or six thousand. In contrast, none of the black characters seem to be able to rely on any outside financial support.
Ladonna heads to see her husband and children in Baton Rouge. Her husband is clearly professional class – her children are in a prep school. However, Ladonna finds resistance when she mentions moving back to New Orleans. While Ladonna loves the city, her husband points out that he and her children are settled – they don’t want to deal with another move.
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