What you know about that "Treme"?

The creators of "Treme", HBO's new original series, put the viewer in a place of distinct privilege. In no way does the show give a wholesale introduction to the world of post-Katrina New Orleans or New Orleans in any form for that matter. It doesn't aim to give you a tour guide's view of the landscape, physically or culturally. What this show does, much to my delight, is it assumes the viewer as an insider, as much a native as anyone.

Now, for the average viewer (read: NOT from New Orleans) that can be challenging because you have to hit the premier episode running (and, damn, what an episode). You'll hear terms you don't know or move from parish to parish with no discernible physical guideposts (I'm still not sure what a parish is) all the while observing a group of characters who couldn't care less if the rest of the world deciphers their culture. Some are even downright hostile to outsiders. Again, that could be challenging.

But, to my mind, that's what so beautiful about this still very young show. We don't have to beg to be in on the joke because the creators put us there to begin with. We aren't turned away like the Katrina tour bus in episode three that pulls up to a group of Indians as the pay respects to a colleague bested by the storm. The driver of that bus did the right thing and drove off, realizing the severity of his trespass. And as he drives off, the camera (ergo we) stays with the Indians as they watch the outsiders (them) fade into the distance.

"Treme" gives us the credit and, yes, the challenge to learn as we go because ultimately the story of New Orleans is the story of every city. Granted, we may not all have been through a terrible combination of natural and man-made disasters, but we all know the pride of home, perhaps even community, that the characters of "Treme" and the people of New Orleans feel. And we all crave the warm blanket of normalcy those characters and people have yet to regain.

In the end, that's what the show is about, that's its central conflict. It's about finding normal again. If that's even possible for the New Orleans of "Treme" we will find out eventually.

That's right, WE. I can say that because the creators of the show have put me in a position to do so and I am quite grateful.