'Treme' final season premiere review: Still good, still not for everyone

That's actually part of a core "Treme" theme, stated as: How can a classic American city retain its soul after nearly being wiped off the face of the planet? (At least one answer -- with people like this.) Or maybe just blame the creators, David Simon and Eric Overmyer, who are keenly interested in the idea of what makes a "place" a "place" and how self-identity -- particularity cherished self-identify -- is assaulted by the axis of politics and money.

This is another way of saying they're less interested in "plot," more in theories of socioeconomics. "Treme" will one day be appreciated by someone for its many virtues, though probably as a show to binge on. The series' virtues do, in fact, materialize after long immersion. But for now, only five episodes are left.

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