80 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

Rayna thinks about moving on when Deacon sets boundaries in their relationship; as Juliette struggles with her mother's addictions, Deacon is reminded of difficult moments in his past; tension between Gunnar and Avery puts pressure on Scarlet.

This thread will open at 11:00pm EST on November 7th.

[Last Time Lord]

Whoa.

I do believe the excrement has hit the rotating cooling device. This episode had everything! Juliette was very smart to have Deacon talk her mother into going to rehab, now that the actual election is over, I find the show's to be much less bothersome.

In a weird way, I kind of like that Avery inadvertently (I'm assuming) cost Scarlett and Gunner the job with Lady Antebellum. Everything's a mess, now. So entertaining.

[Midru]

This episode seemed like all drama and no fun. Every scenario seemed a little, I don't know, joyless. The Scarlett triangle- I actually really liked the guitar parts of that song they sang!

Really did like Deacon and Juliette's relationship. They really seem like if there wasn't such an age difference they would be a great couple. Also kind of liked the Mom, the way she tries to act like she's together, and how she probably had a crush on Deacon for decades.

Maybe it's just me, but I have a real beef with shows like this, where people are supposed to be very skilled at something. They have three main guys on the show, at least, who are guitar players. This episode was better than earlier episodes, but it sometimes is really apparent the actor can't play the song he's supposed to be playing. I hope that all these guys are getting guitar lessons, so that by next season they all can really be playing instead of trying to LOOK like they are playing!

Soap opera stuff on this gets me sometimes. Did anyone understand Juliette's reason for suddenly having to move out of her house? Or why Deacon punched that guy? The guy I thought was sincerely trying to apologize. It is related to the song he sang about being Reyna's backup?

Edited by Midru, Nov 7, 2012 @ 11:14 PM.

[LeGrandElephant]

If the record people really liked the song, wouldn't they just ask them to re-record it without all the fancy backup guitar? That comment shows Avery was out of line, but I have a hard time believing they'd reject a song just because of that that they would have otherwise accepted.

[pinetree]

It was a warning to not let douchebags play with them because it makes them look stupid.

[Runningwild]

I think maybe Juliette is hoping if/when her mom gets out of rehab, she won't be able to find Juliette. Loved the scenes with Deacon and the mom. Heartbreaking.

And Rayna- you suck. I understand you're married and all, but couldn't you have sent someone to bail out Deacon?

[lacey81]

The only storyline working for me right now is Juliet's.

I know Deacon has relationships with both Juliet and Rayna, but the 3 main stories all feel oddly disconnected. There's little to no overlap with characters between them other than Deacon in 2 stories. It's boring. They need to start weaving these people together a little bit on screen. I kept wanting the show to go back to Juliet's story, because the election stuff and the songwriter triangle are extremely dull (sorry Lucky Spencer).

I still am not buying Rayna as a big Country star.

[Lila82]

Or why Deacon punched that guy? The guy I thought was sincerely trying to apologize. It is related to the song he sang about being Reyna's backup?

He was sincerely apologizing, but the timing was terrible. Between his confrontation with Rayna, MethMom, rehab, the pills, and the general suckiness of his life, Deacon wanted an outlet for his frustration and found one. He's his own worst enemy, but I still feel for him. No one in his life wants something from him, but they're all tied to Rayna; even his sponsor is her childhood friend. I like that element of his friendship with Juliette.

Juliette's pretty damn awesome, but Rayna is drowning in the Teddy nonsense. I'd be more sympathetic to her plight if he was remotely likable and their marriage weren't so terrible. They don't know each other at all their marriage is literally built on nothing. Two huge things happened in their lives, and both declined to discuss it with the other, and openly took the opportunity not to care. Rayna is writing on her own for the first time in twenty years and Teddy can't be bothered to ask about it? She can't show up fo his debate, or debrief it with him? UGH. I understand why they're together but I don't understand why they're together. Sure, Deacon was in a bad place, but there had to be another eligible bachelor who could at least feign interest in Rayna's life, right? This marriage probably never got off the ground and it's making it increasingly difficult to care about Rayna's emotional struggles. If Teddy were a swell, supportive, available guy? I'd understand her dilemma a whole lot better.

Coleman is a GOD: "The only thing Teddy Conrad is good at is inheriting money and losing it." Ooooh, burn. I'd vote for him in a hot second.

I really love Rayna/Deacon's theme. It's a great sultry, twangy melody that fits them well.

Scarlett was only somewhat insufferable. Here's to progress.

If the record people really liked the song, wouldn't they just ask them to re-record it without all the fancy backup guitar?

A lack of professionalism? If they can't take their one big shot seriously, than they're not worth investing in?

Edited by Lila82, Nov 7, 2012 @ 11:33 PM.

[sweetpd7]

Did anyone understand Juliette's reason for suddenly having to move out of her house? Or why Deacon punched that guy? The guy I thought was sincerely trying to apologize. It is related to the song he sang about being Reyna's backup?

Juliet told one of her employees that she didn't want to touch anything of her mother's in the original house. She is a little diva who can find a house in a day. Deacon punched the guy because he said Deacon sounded better with Rayna. He joked if off on stage. But seeing the guy's face just brought the song and his turbulesnt relationship with Rayna to the front. The guy did seem to be apologizing, but Deacon had worked himself up to much to back down.

If the record people really liked the song, wouldn't they just ask them to re-record it without all the fancy backup guitar? That comment shows Avery was out of line, but I have a hard time believing they'd reject a song just because of that that they would have otherwise accepted.

Avery was just backup. He hotdogged it to be noticed. I'd also think if the producers liked the song, they could get a guitarist who played backup. IMO he didn't do this to tank Scarlett and Gunnar. It was his super ego thinking he'd be noticed, and not the negative way he was.

Scarlett let Avery have it! Yes! When he said he wanted their old relationship, she got it. "The one where I write poems and send them to myself!" Go girl.

I was surpised Rayna didn't help Deacon, but it makes sense. She came to him with an important request and he blew it away. She probably bailed him out plenty in the day. Rayna is over saving Deacon.

Edited by sweetpd7, Nov 7, 2012 @ 11:36 PM.

[thuganomics85]

I don't know what I was suppose to think about the debate, but I was loving Coleman throwing down the gauntlet against Ted. Harsh, yes, but if you're basically willing to be Lamar's mayor, you better be ready to fight. Sadly, I suspect Coleman will probably lose in the end, but for now, I'm all for watching Robert Wisdom being his normal awesome self.

Speaking of Lamar, during his scene with Peggy, I was just wanting to tell her to shut up and listen to him, because he strikes me as someone who would be willing to drop her in the Tennessee River, if she becomes too much of a problem.

Gunner and Scarlett have another awesome song; too bad Avery shot that all to hell. At least Scarlett finally stood up for herself a little bit. Still has a way to go, but it's a start. Could care less about Gunner and Hallie, because, come on. Gunner/Scarlett will happen. Everything else is just things to keep them apart.

Continue to prefer Juliette and her story, over Rayna and hers, which still surprises me. Hayden Panettiere really is doing a great job, IMO. Interesting to see Deacon being an idiot and out of control this time.

Edited by thuganomics85, Nov 7, 2012 @ 11:40 PM.

[Fisher King]

No good music this week. Well, maybe the "Side Show" song that Deacon sang was tolerable. Still can't find much to like about Rayna's voice.

Maybe it's my mistrust of politicians but I just don't care for Teddy. I know he's being set up to look like he's having an affair with Brad Paisley's wife but I'm looking forward to the fallout, even if it's not true.

I also thought Avery sounded good on his guitar part for the duet song. Gunnar and Scarlett staring cupid's arrows into each other's eyes was a little much. And it's hard to believe they lost the deal because of a guitar part that could easily be changed or discarded.

[joerock]

Aside from Juliette's mom, I'm not sure how this episode moved us forward.

Avery continues to be jealous, Scarlett and Gunner continue to be oblivious, Lamar continues to be evil and Rayna and Deacon had another inscrutable fight-that-isn't-actually-a-fight.

It is hard to see where it is all going and not in the good "waiting to be surprised" kind of way.

[ferrix]

Rayna and Deacon had another inscrutable fight-that-isn't-actually-a-fight.

They have a complicated relationship and a lot of history so it's no surprise they can't just get out of it overnight, but I thought there was real progress here. This time she refused to bail him out when he turned to her for help. And when he gave his permission to let Rayna use their song it was a step towards releasing himself from this complicated and unproductive entanglement he's had with Rayna for so long.

Edited by ferrix, Nov 8, 2012 @ 1:23 AM.

[pele2102]

Oh Avery I was routing for you but now I'm out. I don't know why but Scarlet/Gunner song hit a weird nasally tone and I didn't like it at all. Avery, Scarlet, and Gunnar are officially on the FF list.

Good for Rayna for not bailing Deacon out, this should have happened years ago.

Congrats Juliette on finding one person to project both your Daddy and Mommy issues. Yep nothing unhealthy about the daughter of an addict dating a recovering addict old enough to be her father , nope not at all.

[Irlandesa]

Aside from Juliette's mom, I'm not sure how this episode moved us forward.

We'll see where it goes from here but I think the theme of this episode was letting go of the hangups. Rayna continued what she started last week when she realized she had to fire Deacon because their old ties were a threat to her marriage. Deacon realized he was still trying to hang on to Rayna by clinging to their song rights and calling her to save him. Juliette's mother, in theory, realized she needed to give up on the drugs that hamper her. Juliette gave up the house with the bad memories. Time will tell whether or not any of these new beginnings will stick but they all made sense and I do think moved the story forward. Or at least moved the characters forward.

I'd be more sympathetic to her plight if he was remotely likable and their marriage weren't so terrible. They don't know each other at all their marriage is literally built on nothing. Two huge things happened in their lives, and both declined to discuss it with the other, and openly took the opportunity not to care. Rayna is writing on her own for the first time in twenty years and Teddy can't be bothered to ask about it? She can't show up fo his debate, or debrief it with him? UGH.

I don't think it's terrible. There have been moments in episodes when I understand why they're together. What their marriage is right now is terribly strained. The reason Teddy didn't ask about the songs is because I think he was afraid of the answer to what he suspected in regards to Deacon/Rayna...which he's right about.

I am ready for Juliette and Rayna interacting more. I don't know what it's going to take to make that happen (why do I think it's Deacon's death?) but I am ready for the tour that I think will happen. Juliette's story right now is the more interesting one to me. And while she and Deacon have an age difference, I totally get their friendship, sometimes with benefits. They make sense to me and I think it's probably the best developed relationship on the show because we did see it build.

I still have hope for the Teddy/Lamar story. I haven't given up like I have with Scarlett/Gunnar/Avery. In fact, I record the show now just so I can fast forward them.

[stereohype]

Best storyline (more accurately, the only one I enjoy): Juliette.

Worst storyline: It's tough, because there are so many vying for this... but I'll have to go with Rayna's angsty love triangle. It was touching in episode 1. It is a little revolting by episode 5.

Storylines which I do do not give a crap about: Teddy's election, Avery's douchebaggery, Gunnar's fling with Hailey

Only music that I look forward to hearing: Gunnar and Scarlett's duets

I wonder if the producers are rethinking the longer term story arc, because it seems like the show was initially built to have Rayna as the shining protagonist, and Juliette as the hot young bitchy antagonist... but the public reaction has been nearly universally the opposite, with most people liking Juliette way more. Never thought I'd say that Hayden Panettiere is outacting Connie Britton... but damn if Hayden isn't bringing it! I guess to be fair, her storyline is much less annoying so she has better material to work with.

[gpgurl50]

I think they felt like they had to humanize Juliette really quickly since she probably came off the worst in the pilot besides Lamar. I'm hoping the show will course correct now. They seemed to be doing a slow build with Teddy's story then all of a sudden his problem has gone away. I wonder if he's now in a situation where he has to either admit to an affair or admit to a crime or if the person taking photos works for Lamar and were taken to keep him in line. Lamar did seem a little suspicious of Teddy when he asked why a woman would steal two million dollars and risk prison for him.

One thing I loved is normally on a show if a character is passed out with empty liquor bottles and scattered pills, someone is trying desperately to revive and save them. Juliette was just pissed off. We do know now that her mom used to smack her around a bit as she was growing up, along with all the other issues.

This makes it all the more interesting because we found out that Deacon apparently did more than drink. He likes drugs too. Plus, he said he was worse off than Jolene when he was finally dragged into rehab. They drew some parallels with him and the other women as well. He gave Rayna the cold shoulder and she gave it back. Also, Rayna suspected he withheld the music rights just so Rayna would be forced to see him which seems like a Juliette move. When he was stressed after his talk with Coleman, he took off to parts unknown like Juliette did earlier. Plus, he lost his temper about the same time Scarlett did.

I really enjoyed Scarlett finally losing it. She went about it the calm way last week. This was the breaking point.

ETA: For someone who has no friends, Juliette was pretty real with her bodyguard.

Edited by gpgurl50, Nov 8, 2012 @ 4:48 AM.

[ElectricBoogalo]

Coleman is a GOD: "The only thing Teddy Conrad is good at is inheriting money and losing it." Ooooh, burn. I'd vote for him in a hot second.

Ha, YES! The more I see of Coleman, the more I like him than anyone else on this show.

So nice to see several issues come out in the open. I hate the Gunnar/Avery/Scarlett triangle but I'm glad that Gunnar told Avery off. Gunnar may have feelings for Scarlett but he has never been inappropriate with her that I can remember. He was a supportive friend and coworker who encouraged her to write songs, something that Avery never did for his girlfriend. Avery, on the other hand, has spent his time whining and pouting about his girlfriend having the AUDACITY to be discovered. As if his passive aggressive behavior weren't bad enough, he weasels his way into this opportunity and then ruins it.

While I agree that if Lady Antebellum or their producers really liked the song, they would have take the song regardless of the showoff bass player, I think it's more about artists not wanting to work with people who already have an obvious problem in their group dynamic. While it's not Gunnar or Scarlett's fault that Avery went off book and showed off, from Lady A's point of view it shows that Gunnar and Scarlett exhibited some poor judgment when choosing a guitar player for an important gig. Singers want good songs. They don't want to bring in people who are going to cause drama. If they heard any of the yelling afterward, I'm sure that sealed the deal.

I don't see why Scarlett felt the need to tell Gunnar that they are just friends. She overheard Gunnar's conversation with Avery so she knew that Gunnar said that he and Scarlett were just acting to sell a love song.

Avery was a grade A ass. On top of all the previous stuff, he had the nerve to act like a cocky bastard, telling Gunnar, "You're welcome," because he did them a favor. GIRL, PLEASE. He is the one who convinced Scarlett to let him play after saying he didn't have anything else to do, so it's not like Gunnar and Scarlett were desperately begging him to do this. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of guitar players in Nashville (in fact, I initially thought that maybe Scarlett would as Deacon to sit in and that this would help get him away from both Rayna and Juliette).

I'm glad Scarlett finally said something to Avery about his jackassery. I don't think he's going to become a nice boyfriend overnight, but it's about time she stood up for herself. If you can't be happy for your partner's success, then you really shouldn't be together.

I love Juliette's bodyguard.

[ferrix]

he weasels his way into this opportunity and then ruins it.

I thought his guitar playing was the best thing about this song though! Frankly, I was rather hoping he'd get a break out of this because I don't actually hate his character - I can see how he could be jealous and having hard time dealing with someone else getting (without even trying!) the success he himself works so hard for, in vain. Yeah, in ideal world he should be supportive... well guess what, this isn't the ideal world.

[ElectricBoogalo]

What he did was the equivalent of asking someone to sing backup for a similar situation and then going crazy with runs and melisma. That's just straight up trying to steal the spotlight. It would be bad enough to do that, but to do that to your girlfriend? Asshole. He can't just leave it at being unsupportive and jealous but now he's trying to get himself gigs at her performance showcase. I really hopes she dumps his ass soon. This relationship is going nowhere fast.

[LeGrandElephant]

A lack of professionalism? If they can't take their one big shot seriously, than they're not worth investing in?

Maybe I misunderstood what they were doing. I thought they were trying to get a famous band to want to record their song, basically just selling the song itself, not having anyone have to work with them or invest in them in the future. Were they doing something else? (I did wonder why they were doing it live instead of just sending a tape, so it makes sense that they had a shot at more than that but I missed what exactly.)

When I saw Rayna hang up on Deacon I thought she was a horrible person. The only way I can think that it could maybe be ok is if this happened all the time back when he was using and she had to do a tough love thing. But its been so long since he's been using that I still don't think that would be justified, and they didn't even tell us that. She didn't have to go herself, she has people she could have sent, just to make sure he was ok. On the other hand, does Deacon have no other friends besides Rayna and now Juliette?

Of course Deacon was also stupid and mean to punch that guy, and doesn't even have the excuse of not being sober which there usually is when bar fights happen on TV.

I don't see why Scarlett felt the need to tell Gunnar that they are just friends. She overheard Gunnar's conversation with Avery so she knew that Gunnar said that he and Scarlett were just acting to sell a love song.

I think that was all part of her decision in choosing Avery. If she has that much faith in Avery, maybe he's right that Gunnar has inappropriate thoughts, so Scarlett better clear them up. Didn't she even say in the pilot something like Avery is not good for her but she can't give him up?

[franopy]

Whatever happened to that massive gate and fence shielding Juliette's mansion from the nosy public? And to the long drive way? Didn't she have to drive up to the entrance to her property in previous episodes? Wasn't a press mob waiting for her outside said gate only last week? Where did it all go?

[Isazouzi]

Whatever happened to that massive gate and fence shielding Juliette's mansion from the nosy public? And to the long drive way? Didn't she have to drive up to the entrance to her property in previous episodes? Wasn't a press mob waiting for her outside said gate only last week? Where did it all go?

My understanding of it is that she lived in a gated community. You know, one of those ghettos for rich people that isolates them from the rest of the world. The gate we saw was the gate to the community, not to her house. That's why her neighbors could walk past her house and see the scene with her mom.

Edited by Isazouzi, Nov 8, 2012 @ 9:44 AM.

[labresq]

I got confused about Juliette's house - when she found her mother and that guy in bed with the liquor bottles all around and then kicked him out, that house wasn't the same mansion with the big iron gate that we've always seen as Juliette's house. But she didn't move out of that big house until after her mother was in rehab, right? So those folks who were walking down the sidewalk when the fight was going on weren't at the mansion. What did I miss?

[sammiekay]

.

Edited by sammiekay, Jan 29, 2013 @ 5:32 PM.

[ElectricBoogalo]

Loved that Tami Taylor moment when Rayna went to talk to Deacon about the song lyrics being changed and after they had their disagreement, she said, "Nice seeing you." Hee!

Yes, watching her shoot that commercial gave me some major secondhand embarrassment too but in a way I liked that it was so awkward and bad because I think she knew just how awkward and bad it was. She avoided doing commercials and endorsements all this time and when she finally gave in because her family needs the money, she gets to confirm that she was right to avoid it all this time.

I also liked that she took what must be a painful situation (losing Deacon) and turned it into something constructive by writing a song. I think that she probably never explored that option because she knew that (1) Deacon was so good at it and (2) recording his songs meant Deacon got some extra money. Now that she doesn't have that reliable source of songs, she can stretch her wings a little.

To be honest, the Rayna stuff was not that compelling this week, but at least it looks like it's going somewhere.

[BonnieD]

That's why her neighbors could walk past her house and see the scene with her mom.

And don't tell me that these people wouldn't talk or take photos and that the press could somehow still not know about her history with her mom by this point in her career. That's the silliest part of all to me. The media would've dug up all the juicy drug momma scandal by now. It would be common knowledge.

[Redtizzy]

I thought Rayna hanging up on Deacon was totally reasonable. Really, in that situation shouldn't he have called Coleman? And if not Coleman then we know he has a lawyer. He called Rayna cause that's what he is used to doing when he's in trouble. She knew that he had other (more appropriate) people he could call.

I also thought Rayna was trying harder than Teddy in this episode. She asked him if he wanted her to come to the debate and wished him luck. She was honest when he asked her about Deacon. Aside from accusing her of cheating he didn't exhibit any interest in her this week.

I agree that the story lines (Juliette's drama, the politics, Rayna's career drama, and Scarlett/Avery/Gunnar) need to overlap more. It seems like their on different shows and Deacon just happens to do the occasional cross over. I keep waiting for Rayna to record one of Scarlett and Gunnar's songs. Or better yet, have Juliette and Rayna fight over one of their songs.

I want to see forced interactions between Juliette and Rayna, too.

And yeah, much as I adore Connie Britton they need a modern Marni Nixon to at least support her vocals.

[Worldyfan]

I was a little distressed when Rayna blew off the jail call from Deacon because of their past love blah blah but mostly because he's a nice guy and soooooooooo yummy, but I can see it from her side too. He knows her family's having money problems and he wouldn't let the song be used in the commercial. I read or heard once that when people become addicts they stop emotionally maturing at the age they became addicted. So that could make Deacon more Juliette's emotional age than Rayna's.

[ggmarie]

I feel like this show is not carrying out on the promise of the pilot, which to me was that Rayna and Juliette would be forced to work together. However, they've barely shared any scenes since then. Callie Khouri and the pilot's showrunner parted ways after the second episode was shot -- and you can tell, the pilot to me has had a different flavor entirely than the later episodes.

Count me among the people who thought Avery's guitar noodling was the best part of that song. It's annoying me how Avery only gets scenes with Scarlett and Gunnar, and he has nobody else to talk to. All the other characters seem to have more scene partners given to them, allowing them more shades. You might as well call him Plot Point Avery, and Jonathan Jackson deserves better. Well, maybe next week we'll get to see a different side of him. Avery sings a song penned by JJ next week so if nothing else, Plot Point Avery is giving his music some awesome exposure...

Juliette's story continues to interest me far more than Rayna's. And I muted the debate. It seems ill-conceived to have a political storyline on the airwaves right now. Everyone is sick to death of that stuff, post-election. I know I am!

I giggled when DaughteroftheBride widened her eyes and said "Yes, sir" to Powers Boothe's "you listen to meeee" evil command.

Edited by ggmarie, Nov 8, 2012 @ 11:33 AM.