Ep 4. At The Foot of Canal Street

After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the city is still struggling to recover in Treme Season 1 Episode 4, "At The Foot of Canal Street." As new issues arise, people come together in unexpected ways to support one another.

The episode opens with a funeral procession for a well-known New Orleans musician named Coco Robicheaux. The procession marries the mourning for the loss of a beloved member of the community with the celebration of his life and music. Robicheaux was known for his unique blend of blues, rock, and voodoo rhythms, and his influence on the music community is felt throughout the episode.

The episode also follows the continuing struggles of the displaced musicians living in the FEMA trailers. Violinist Annie (Lucia Micarelli) shares a cramped space with her boyfriend, DJ Davis (Steve Zahn), who is trying to break into the music scene with his hip-hop beats. They both feel frustrated with their lack of privacy and space, and Annie feels isolated from the rest of the music community.

On the other hand, Antoine Batiste (Wendell Pierce), a trombonist who has been struggling to find steady work, finally lands a gig playing in a funeral procession. Despite the bittersweet moment, Antoine is grateful for the opportunity to play his music and make some money.

Janette (Kim Dickens), a chef who is trying to reopen her restaurant, faces new challenges when she discovers her order of fresh shrimp is stolen by a rival chef. She turns to her ex-boyfriend, Davis’s father Creighton (John Goodman), for help in finding the culprit. Creighton, a literature professor who has gained Internet fame for his rants about the state of New Orleans, is hesitant to get involved but eventually agrees to help.

Meanwhile, LaDonna Batiste-Williams (Khandi Alexander), Antoine’s sister, is still searching for her brother David who went missing during the storm. She turns to the police for help but feels frustrated by their lack of urgency in finding him.

As the episode progresses, the lives of these characters intersect and intertwine, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the community. The funeral procession for Coco Robicheaux brings together musicians from all genres and backgrounds to pay their respects to the departed musician. Antoine’s gig in the same procession allows him to reconnect with fellow musicians and potential employers.

Davis’s father, Creighton, tracks down the thief who stole the shrimps from Janette and confronts him in a heated argument, showcasing the frustrations and tensions that arise in a city still struggling to recover from a disaster.

The episode ends with LaDonna receiving a lead on her missing brother and sets out to follow it. This cliffhanger sets up future episodes to delve deeper into the personal struggles that many New Orleans residents faced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"At The Foot of Canal Street" highlights the unique spirit of New Orleans and how music can bring people together in times of struggle. The episode explores the complex relationships between individuals and the wider community and how people overcome challenges by relying on each other. Treme is a poignant and realistic portrayal of a city striving to rebuild and recover after a devastating disaster.