(S01E06) Maybe it was the sperm costumes preceding the Ray Nagin diddling himself Krewe du Vieux float or the fact I've been on a necessary dose of Tylenol 3, but this episode of 'Treme' left me in good spirits.

Finally, there's a real break in the "Where is Daymo?" case. Antoine donates the Japanese fan-bought trombone to his mentor. Creighton's literary agent bears mostly good (if not predictable and exploitative) news from Random House. Albert's Indians crew has arrived and is ready to practice (and sew) for Mardi Gras. And one of my favorite moments of the show so far -- Delmond getting over himself and singing 'Shallow Water, Oh Mama' with the the Indians.

OK, it wasn't all sweetness and light. Poor Janette. She can't ask her staff to work without pay and has nowhere to turn for a bailout, so she decides to close shop and regroup. It's a shame, because obviously she's talented (even the chi chi New York chefs said so) and people love her food, but it's a small business, and she can't pay the bills. I can't say I shed any tears for her situation, though.

Then there was The Slap that seemingly broke Annie's will to stay with coke-head Sonny. I can't be the only one who saw that coming when she stood up for herself. Sadly, I also knew she'd return to him. Where's the intense little bouncer when you need him? But wait, a café au lait and some beignets later, and she's back!

What is wrong with this girl? Sonny can be sweet on occasion, but most of the time he's completely self-absorbed and majorly self destructive. He has the gall to get upset with Annie, when he's the one who couldn't play right and forgot the words to a song? His litany of lame excuses "It'll never happen again," "That wasn't me," etc. are lame, and she just needs to get away. I know some of you dig Sonny, but he's only slightly more likable than Marlo Stansfield in my book. Sorry! Let's just hope Sonny doesn't turn out to be a psychopath as well, as some NOLA 'Treme' followers suspect.

Delmond playing that cross-country concert tour with Donald Harrison was amusing, because Harrison is basically the person on which Delmond's character is based (Harrison's father was a Big Chief). I love how Donald kept asking Delmond to play something traditionally New Orleans, but Delmond wasn't into it, especially when he saw Albert yakking it up at their "welcome home" performance at Snug Harbor.

He may come off as complicated, but Delmond's really just desperate for his father's approval. Good old Daddy issues. After snapping that he wouldn't be parading with his father, it was such a pleasant surprise to see Delmond not only visit Albert but set his differences aside and sing with his crew.

Ladonna was scarce in this episode, but it's understandable that Simon and Overmyer need to spread out the characterization. Antoine's subplot with his elderly friend was touching, but his best moment in the episode was at the end when he was playing at the ball and stands up to show 'em "how it's done in the Treme."

Davis' campaign antics were good for a laugh -- especially when he's home talking to his cocktail-devouring parents and Aunt Mimi (Louisiana-raised Elizabeth Ashley!). Of course Davis, who hangs out almost exclusively with African-American musicians and neighbors, is named after Jefferson Davis.

This episode was a great blend of humor, socio-political commentary, and personal angst. I hope next week is as good.

Best quotes of the episode:
"I'm supposed to watch you get high all day and then say no when people want me on real gigs, because you're worried it might ruin what we're doing on the street? Passing around a f---ing hat for spare change?" -- Annie.

"The Bureaucracy loves paper evidence, forms. They get really wet if it's in triplicate." -- Creighton

"You're part of a pearl necklace" -- Toni

"Davis, you yourself are named for the Confederate President, whom we are directly, if distantly, related" -- Ramona
"I tell people it's for Miles, Sammy, Ozzie or Angela" -- Davis