Quick Take: Treme, "Wish Someone Would Care"
"Sometimes the battles worth fighting are the ones you know you're gonna lose." – Albert
Review: Treme, "Wish Someone Would Care"
(S0109) Overall, I enjoyed this at turns dark and whimsical and musical episode of Treme, but I can't say that the major plot development (Creighton Burnette's seeming suicide by way of jumping off a gulf coast ferry) sits well with me. Not a bit.
Creighton, played by John Goodman in what I would argue is the best performance of his career, symbolized the defiant and resilient beating heart of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His YouTube videos not only made him a local celebrity, but they genuinely helped to inspire those in desperate need of light and fire and hope. So, we see Creighton struggling to get going with his never-to-be-finished novel. Mardi Gras just isn't the same for him this year so he bows out and sits home alone. I still see the turn to suicide from what was this seemingly indomitable force of nature (a human one, as it were, strong enough to combat some of the worst emotional welts left by the hurricane) as sudden and jarring, all the more so as Treme has been "teaching" us that this is a character study that defies typical plotting or "closure," as Creighton himself references to his literature class at Tulane.
I guess I'm not sure if I'm dissatisfied with Treme the fictional story for "killing off" Creighton after building up his character and persona and taking in Goodman's powerhouse performance, that I had some expectation that Creighton would continue to be a spokesman for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Or perhaps I bought into the story enough that I'm dissatisfied with Creighton the fictional character himself, which means I've invested enough in the story to have this level of emotional involvement.
In any event, the episode was one of my favorites in other respects. Davis' and Janette's and Annie's storylines have been particularly enjoyable or affecting in different ways of late. I particularly enjoyed Davis' (Steve Zahn) party to blow the post-Mardi Gras blues away, replete with stocking up the invite list with musicians and beautiful ladies "only," his announcement that in the Treme there will be no stereos played during a party, and the genuine rollicking music-all-night atmosphere that the scene captured (and his full reconciliation and hilarious "bro out session" with his formerly fussy gay neighbors was the highlight of the hour!). Janette meanwhile deals with her own emotional/professional turmoil, finally concluding that as much as she loves New Orleans, the city has "beaten" her. There's a particularly beautiful scene with Janette (Kim Dickens) and Davis in bed, with Davis playing the role of cultural guardian of his city, and Janette expressing her real world pain. "There are so many beautiful moments here," Davis says. "They're just moments. They're not a life," Janette replies.
I'd be interested to see Janette adjust to life in Huntsville with her parents, which I would think will drive her crazy to the point of returning to the Big Easy soon enough. Meanwhile, there have been enough little moments between Davis and Annie (Lucia Micarelli) that I wouldn't be surprised if they hookup at some point. As for Annie and her ongoing dysfunctional relationship with Sonny (Michael Huisman), she finally manages to get away from him by way of suggesting a breakup of their musical partnership. Even though her friend and fellow musician expresses shock that she would suggest a musical breakup ahead of a personal/romantic one, I can't help thinking that Annie has been desperate to break the emotional stranglehold Sonny has on her and this was her way of forcing a break. For her sake I hope that break becomes permanent as it's clear that Sonny, while talented, should be only be playing gigs in Losersville.
More thoughts on "Wish Someone Would Care":
Video: Treme, "Wish Someone Would Care"
Check out the synopsis, from HBO:
Recap: Treme, "Wish Someone Would Care"
Annie tells Sonny she wishes to play with other people. When Sonny questions her decision, Annie speaks up, "You're drunk or high half the time." Sonny, unsure how they can play separately and still be a couple, gives her an ultimatum: "Either you're with me or you're not." When Annie hesitates, he demands she move out. More at HBO.
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