HBO debuted Season 3 of Treme last night with "Knock With Me, Rock With Me", kicking off the 10-episode season. Over the weekend, series creator David Simon revealed during a screening in New Orleans that HBO has greenlit a fourth and final season of this critically-acclaimed series. Here's what the executive producer had to say about the final episodes.

"We are going to be back for a season 3.5. HBO, upon viewing the 10 (Season 3 episodes) that we gave them and what we've done, they want to see the end of the story. They fought very hard to give us half a loaf. We're going to take it and run."

The final season will be much shorter than the previous three seasons, which were either 10 or 11 episodes long. When asked to clarify the "half a loaf" statement, David Simon revealed they are still trying to determine how many episodes this last season will be.

"HBO has offered us a lump sum to budget a conclusion to Treme, and we are trying to figure out how to stretch that amount in the best possible way. Right now, we are tentatively looking at anywhere between four and six hours of programming, depending on a variety of things. It's half a loaf, but it represents a sincere effort by

HBO's) no_person|Mike Lombardo and Richard Plepler to end the narrative properly. We'll do the best we can with the story arcs and try to conclude Treme in a resonant way."

Season 3 of Treme continues with "Saints" Sunday, September 30 at 9 PM ET on HBO.