Treme: The Complete Third Season

The third season of HBO's series about life in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans opens in the fall of 2007 and chronicles the rebuilding effort, including the influx of outside money wielded by insider politicians seeking to shape the city in a different image—often against the interests of many of its citizens. In the most dramatic story arc here, attorney Toni Bernette (Melissa Leo) takes on the police department with her investigation into the cover-up of misconduct after Katrina. In another notable plotline, New Orleans food culture is highlighted as chef Janette Desautel (Kim Dickens) opens a new restaurant—a narrative developed with chef superstar Anthony Bourdain, who signed on as a contributing writer this season. The beating heart of the production, however, remains the rich array of music (old-style jazz, R&B, rock ‘n' roll, brass band, traditional chanting, and more) and tales of musicians trying to sustain careers in difficult times (Fats Domino and the Neville Brothers are among those making guest appearances). Creators David Simon and Eric Overmyer continue to offer a sophisticated mix of cultural exploration, social drama, political commentary, and vivid characters (at all levels of society). While not HBO's most popular series, Treme (which ended with the fourth season) is one of their best. Compiling all 10 episodes from 2012 on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include episode commentaries, select music commentaries, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are two interactive features centering on the music and culture of New Orleans. Highly recommended. [Note: Treme: The Complete Fourth Season is also newly available, as is the Blu-ray-only set Treme: The Complete Series, the latter priced at $134.99.] (S. Axmaker)