Guardians of the Flame Drummers

Antoine does a good deed, while someone suspects Nelson's deeds may not be so good; Davis fails to sign "Sugar Boy" Crawford for his opera, but Delmond gets his father to sign up with the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic; L.P. learns his headless skeleton wasn't always so.

It's Carnival time: Toni finds Judge Gatling dispensing judicial orders and potables at Galatoire's. Janette seeks counsel from Emeril Lagasse. Sonny falls on the wagon. As Nelson schmoozes, Annie sits in with the Neville Brothers at the Washington D.C. Mardi Gras Ball.

Colson is offered a transfer; guardians send Lambreaux home; Batiste takes his sons to a Dr. John gig; Hidalgo returns to Texas; McAlary revisits his pothole, now decorated.

McAlary and Desautel spend New Year's Eve together; Batiste picks up a movie job; LaDonna comforts Lambreaux; Colson offers to testify, NOPD retaliates.