If you haven’t heard of “Treme” (on HBO) let me tell you this: it’s awesome.

I recently stumbled across it while aimlessly searching for a new show, and it’s captivated me ever since.

Beginning 3 months post-Katrina “Treme”(a French word for neighborhood), follows the lives of the stubborn people of New Orleans as they struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together. It has a all-star cast: John Goodman, Steve Zahn and Wendell Pierce among others.

It’s dramatic but not depressing–and I cared about the characters right away. Many are musicians (Steve Zahn is a lovable stoner/musician with no filter) and the music of New Orleans is packed into every episode. I want the soundtrack! I must get it immediately.

John Goodman plays Creighton Bernette, an angry English professor/writer/vlogger who curses a blue streak but has a heart for the city and its people. His wife, Toni (played by Melissa Leo) is a tough-as-nails attorney working tirelessly for the people of New Orleans, especially in her search for LaDonna Baptiste’s brother who went missing after he was arrested just before the storm. Will he be found? Will anyone take responsibility for the inmates who are lost in the system after Katrina? If anybody can make them, it’s Toni. She’s kicking butt and taking names.

I’ve only watched the first four episodes and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.