78 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

When Rayna suggests bringing her girls on tour, she learns that Lamar is willing to blackmail her; Juliette and Sean's elopement surprises everyone; Deacon reconnects with an ex; Avery follows a music producer's advice.

This thread will open at 11:00pm EST on January 9th.

[Demian]

There is nothing about this show, visually speaking, that is not tacky as all hell. Should I love it for this?

[cacophony]

Yes. You should also love it for Powers Boothe, King of Villainy.

Edited by cacophony, Jan 9, 2013 @ 11:05 PM.

[jonaswan2]

I don't come over to this section to often, but can I just say: Teddy going in on Lamar in the campaign office was sexy. I had to raise my hand up and say, "Yes." I know she had a thing for Deacon in the pilot, but Deacon who?

[Viva Elijah]

Yes, Demian. On certain networks, I have just come to accept that you are going to get a certain level of tacky. It's not my favorite tacky show, but I love it all the same. I'll never let go of Connie Britton.

Anyone see Season 2 of The Voice? During Scarlet's performance, she really reminded me of RaeLynn and that (the writhing and unintelligible lyrics) more than anything else she has done this entire season has made me hate her. She is very, very annoying.

I kinda wanted Avery's friend to actually beat his ass.

Many of you called Maddie.

What's really going on with Deacon? Is he jonesing?

I really like Rayna's producer. I wonder if anything is going to happen there. It's clear that they have developed a rapport and have mutual respect for one another.

I feel bad for Shawn and as much as a I dislike his parents, this is one instance where their advice could have been helpful. Do not marry the young woman you have been seeing for 5 minutes would have been it.

[eliza16]

Scarlett needs a makeover.

[sopreppypink]

I for one was a shocked as Lamar when Teddy said he knew he wasn't Maddies father. Juliette has quickly become my favorite character. I feel so bad for her.

[loriro]

I really like Rayna's producer. I wonder if anything is going to happen there. It's clear that they have developed a rapport and have mutual respect for one another.

ME TOO! I really like the character on his own merits... he seems pretty cool and sensible. Oh, and he's also sexy as hell! I wouldn't mind seeing something start up between him and Rayna (and of course it'll be right around the time Deacon comes back --not a spoiler, just spec).

I think Deacon is a) missing Rayna and b) just doesn't like being in the spotlight himself. Seems like all of the attention is getting to him. Plus, I think he's also trying, in the midst of all of this attention, to not "overshadow" the guys in the band. I got a hint of passive-aggressive jealousy (as opposed to purely constructive criticism) from the singer when he told Deacon he let his solo go on too long and had to find a happy medium, and it seemed Deacon's refusal to get front-and-center in the photo shoot was both his own lack of comfort with being the "center of attention" as well as his awareness that he wanted to not step on toes. That's a pressure he didn't have to worry about when he was touring with Rayna.

Run, Juliette... you're SO good at it!

I did love the reaction shots of Rayna, her manager, and Juliette's manager during the marriage announcement! Hee! And it looks like we'll get more of them from Rayna and her hot-guy producer (I can't remember his name, so hot-guy's gonna have to do for now...) based on the previews.

Finally... loved the song Gunnar and Scarlett sang at the end. As much as Scarlett drives me batty, she does have a beautiful tone to her voice and as much as sometimes I find her annoying to watch, I like to listen to her sing.

Edited by loriro, Jan 9, 2013 @ 11:19 PM.

[nilyank]

I am thrilled that Teddy knew about Maddie's paternity from the beginning and that he isn't going to let anyone including his scary father in law use that against him and his family. It is scenes like that one and later in the bedroom with Rayna that I can see why they got married and stayed married all these years.

I didn't hear what Deacon's reporter friend said in bed about 14 years ago. Did something happen to Deacon besides him losing Rayna to Teddy.

Even though I understand why Avery's former band was pissed off at him for leaving them, I don't need Scarlett and her judgemental self getting angry at Avery. I just don't like her.

[Demian]

Yes.

Yes, Demian. On certain networks, I have just come to accept that you are going to get a certain level of tacky. It's not my favorite tacky show, but I love it all the same.

Oh, excellent. I've read nothing but lovely things about this series, though I haven't had a chance to watch an episode until this evening, so I was a little concerned. Nothing I've read prepared be for the full-frontal assault on my eyes by, oh, just about everything. Curtains, clothing, furniture, hairstyles, hair colors, exceptionally unnatural skin tones -- it's absolutely fascinatingly dreadful.

I think I need to search out all of the episodes I've missed, now.

[Idiot Boxer]

Oh, Shawn and Juliette, you make no sense, and she is so screwed up, but I'm rooting for you crazy kids!

The final song and montage made me so sad. I liked the song, but I wonder if the two of them will write anything that's not a dreary ballad one might tearfully listen to in sweatpants on the couch with a glass of wine in one hand and a carton of Chubby Hubby in the other.

[thuganomics85]

Maybe Gunnar and Scarlett should only sing and never talk. I like them when they sing; any other time, not so much. Although, I could barely hear Scarlett when she was singing with Avery's band. Not sure if it was because her vocals were too soft/weak, or they were too loud. It it was the latter, maybe Avery was right to leave after all.

Chuckled when Hailey said she's hoping to get a promotion after this, because I know that the actress just landed a gig on that S.H.I.E.L.D. show. So, yeah, that's a good promotion, and I'm glad, since I think the actress had done a good job with a very thankless role.

Ted standing up to Lamar was easily the most interesting he's ever been. More of that, please.

Not sure where they are going with Deacon. Suspect he'll have issues with that one rocker, who seems to harbor some kind of jealousy towards him.

Boo to no Coleman. Don't waste Robert Wisdom!

Rayna/Juliette and Juliette in general continue to be my favorite parts of the show. Hayden Panettiere really is owning this role, and her and Connie Britton just have a spark whenever they are together. Too bad Juliette is continuing to make some of the dumbest decisions ever. I'm sure leaving not-Tim Tebow at the alter will bite her in the ass big time.

[Idiot Boxer]

I agree that I liked Teddy standing up to Lamar, but was anyone else wondering exactly what he could do to him if he did "come after" Lamar? I mean, aside from maybe running him down with his car, what could Teddy do to hurt Lamar? L did look worried though, so maybe Teddy has something on him?

[Irlandesa]

I didn't hear what Deacon's reporter friend said in bed about 14 years ago. Did something happen to Deacon besides him losing Rayna to Teddy.

It sounds like someone died? She mentioned "Vince(?)" kept drinking.

I loved that scene with Rayna, Teddy and Lamara. I liked the bedroom scene beween Rayna and Teddy as well. I love when a show takes an unexpected turn but in a positive way. And when I say positive, I mean the bedroom scene involved a mature conversation and the fact that Teddy knew about Maddie suggests that marrying Teddy wasn't some ill advised scam. There was obviously some honesty when they entered into their marriage. It's kind of a contrast to Juliette and Shawn.

I am really excited about the tour. I can't wait for Juliette and Rayna's relationship to develop layers.

And I continue to hate Scarlett. Just loathe. I was loving the first half of the show so much because it was so Scarlett lite save for a scene of Scarlett and Gunnar being annoying. But then the second half happened. She was skittish when Avery came in even though she knew he was coming. And I hated her. She was judgmental and I hated her. She had what I guess I was supposed to see as an empowering moment when she took his place and I hated her. I just hate her. I will take a morally ambiguous, ambitious and partially desperate Avery any day. When they kissed, I screamed "Avery runnnn!" even though I know I should have been saying that to Scarlett.

[TXSforever]

Can't believe Rayna's been lying to Deacon and her daughter all this time. Wow.

Hate Scarlet so much.

Sad Juliette ran from the wedding. I was rooting for them.

[missbonnie]

For once I didn't want to shoot myself during Scarlett's scenes. I was totally shocked that Teddy knew that he wasn't his oldest daughters biological dad so I have to commend the writers for not going down the usual road. I loved the entire last montage most especially the shot of Juliette walking towards the jet in her wedding dress. Re: Deacon's deal 14 years ago, to me it sounded like there was some kind of accident involving Deacon and a friend that may have died? I love this show more and more every week, I really hope they can write well enough that its around for a few years.

[ToukieSmith]

I don't come over to this section to often, but can I just say: Teddy going in on Lamar in the campaign office was sexy. I had to raise my hand up and say, "Yes." I know she had a thing for Deacon in the pilot, but Deacon who?

I was thinking the same thing too. Its almost like the writers read the blogs during the hiatus and fleshed out the characters based on the viewers' perceptions.

It seems like Deacon really wants to tour with Rayna and Juliette.

Edited by ToukieSmith, Jan 10, 2013 @ 1:55 AM.

[Direqh]

Chuckled when Hailey said she's hoping to get a promotion after this, because I know that the actress just landed a gig on that S.H.I.E.L.D. show. So, yeah, that's a good promotion, and I'm glad, since I think the actress had done a good job with a very thankless role.

She's leaving? Aww... I was hoping she might get another type of promotion, to regular. I like her better than any of the other women on this show, except maybe Juliet on occasion.

But good for her, though.

[gpgurl50]

I think Deacon is a) missing Rayna and b) just doesn't like being in the spotlight himself. Seems like all of the attention is getting to him. Plus, I think he's also trying, in the midst of all of this attention, to not "overshadow" the guys in the band. I got a hint of passive-aggressive jealousy (as opposed to purely constructive criticism) from the singer when he told Deacon he let his solo go on too long and had to find a happy medium, and it seemed Deacon's refusal to get front-and-center in the photo shoot was both his own lack of comfort with being the "center of attention" as well as his awareness that he wanted to not step on toes. That's a pressure he didn't have to worry about when he was touring with Rayna.

I agree. Deacon was having some problems before but the second he heard about the Rayna/Juliette tour he wanted to know more. I think he sees that as the better place to be.

I also think that Vince had some accident after drinking with Deacon. Given reporter Carmen brought it up so often and made Deacon uncomfortable, I'm thinking Deacon was somehow involved. Maybe it's more backstory of what turned him into an addict.

Both Deacon and Juliette used sex/making out to avoid talking to people this episode. It seemed kind of constantly. Juliette seemed pretty terrified when the church was first mentioned. She was probably wanting to bolt the whole time and her mom pushed her to the breaking point. I do think she cares about Sean but she only had to spend a couple days with him before her tour and she spent most of the time avoiding talking to him about any serious subject. She didn't want to talk career. She lied about her mom. Who knows how long she could keep that up? She couldn't do what she wanted when she wanted anymore. That said, I don't think Sean will let her out of the marriage so easily. I think he'll try and fight for her. If he doesn't believe in sex before marriage, I doubt he's very easy about divorce.

I did like Teddy and Rayna this episode. I like that they showed she did tell him the truth and he loved Maddie as his own anyway. Of course, Rayna still has been keeping it from Deacon forever (unless a future plot twist shows Maddie is somehow not his though she was dating both guys at once). I did think it was good that Teddy stood up for his daughters when they were threatened, does still love Rayna and seems to regret hurting Coleman and Peggy and alienating Rayna. Tandy and Lamar on the other hand decided to blackmail Rayna for campaign reasons. Ugh. Tandy seemed uncomfortable but I think she likes letting her dad be the mean one while she stands on the side. I think she knew what she was doing when she told him about Rayna wanting to leave with the kids.

I'm glad Scarlett and Gunnar got over themselves and started writing together again. Avery keeps compromising a little more each time and doesn't seem to like it at any time.

EDIT: Just wanted to add, how sad was it when Juliette had to cheerily explain that her bridal party was basically Sean's sister and her assistant and that her manager was walking her down the aisle?

Edited by gpgurl50, Jan 10, 2013 @ 4:07 AM.

[Ginandtonic]

I really want Lamar & the whole politics plot gone, I find it sooo boring, & Lamar is just so one dimensional & what exactly is Rayna'a sister's problem? What does she get out of all of this?

[ElectricBoogalo]

There is nothing about this show, visually speaking, that is not tacky as all hell. Should I love it for this?

HELL YES! One of the things I love about this show is how it embraces its tackiness wholeheartedly. Every week, the show says, "Oh, you thought I was tacky as hell last week? Well, I covered last week's tacky in RHINESTONES!"

Even though I understand why Avery's former band was pissed off at him for leaving them, I don't need Scarlett and her judgemental self getting angry at Avery.

To me, that was Scarlett projecting her hurt and betrayal. I think part of her is legitimately upset for the guys in the band. She's known them as long as she's known Avery and they've always been friendly with each other. She went to all of their shows and many of their rehearsals, so I assumed that they were all friends. Even if she and Avery hadn't broken up, I think she would still be upset on their behalf by his decision to ditch the band and go solo. But because they broke up recently, she identifies with their sense of betrayal even more. Avery made promises to them and he broke those promises. Betraying a long term girlfriend is shitty enough, but childhood friends who have been in your band for most of your life? That's fucking harsh. Avery knows it and Scarlett knows it. Even though he's made his choice, he obviously isn't proud of it based on the way he reluctantly told Scarlett. He knows he's being a terrible friend to those guys. Scarlett is not just upset because she's friends with them too but because it shows once again how selfish Avery is and how he'll screw over anyone. No one is important enough to him to remain loyal, and that's what she sees now.

I didn't hear what Deacon's reporter friend said in bed about 14 years ago. Did something happen to Deacon besides him losing Rayna to Teddy.

I don't remember the details but it sounded like she was with a bunch of them and they kept partying after she left but Vincent (the guy she mentioned earlier) died. I'd guess that accident is what caused Deacon to go to rehab and get clean. It wouldn't surprise me if Deacon was the one driving or somehow caused the accident. Even if it wasn't really his fault, I'm sure he feels responsible and he's been carrying that guilt all these years.

I loved Teddy and Rayna uniting against Lamar to protect Maddie. Whatever their problems with each other may be, they both really love their kids and don't want to see them hurt. Lamar is such a patronizing jerk. I wanted to punch his smug face when he told Rayna to settle down. Sorry, you just tried to blackmail me and you're telling me to settle down? Hell no!

I love Rayna's friendship with her producer. He seems to have her best interests at heart. I guess that's the benefit of having a friend who is so comfortable and financially set that he doesn't need to depend on her success.

Glenn: Did you at least get a pre-nup?
Juliet: Glenn, do I look like an idiot?

Notice she didn't actually answer the question. I am certain this will come back to bite her in the ass. As much as I wanted to cheer when she took off that hideous necklace and then walked to the plane, this stunt is just going to make her look even worse to her fans and her horrid mother in law.

ETA: I went back to rewatch the scene with the reporter and she said, "Vince's car accident...when I left you guys, you kept drinking." Earlier on the plane, she said, "I'm just glad you're alive to tell [stories], especially after what happened to Vince."

Edited by ElectricBoogalo, Jan 10, 2013 @ 6:04 AM.

[quangtran]

I for one was a shocked as Lamar when Teddy said he knew he wasn't Maddies father.

I wasn't. I was completely banking on the show not going the typical route with this standard soap opera storyline. I also didn't buy the idea of Lamar knowing but a sensible guy like Teddy not even suspecting (based on the timing of his relationship with Rayna). Kudos on the writers for this part.

I also went back to episode 2 to compare Avery's version of Twist of Barb Wire to Scalet's in this episode, and concluded that hers was a LOT better.

[MariaMax]

Was Rayna seeing Deacon and Teddy at the same time, back in the day? I thought I recalled something about that...which would explain how Deacon wouldn't suspect that Maddie is his...

[OptimisticCynic]

Does the 14 years ago timeline match up with when he finally got clean in rehab? i don't remember from previous episodes, but I'm guessing that's when he hit bottom. The reporter mentioned leaving them and they were still drinking. I'm guessing some sort of accident where the other guy died.

I don't understand why they style Scarlett's hair the way they do. Or maybe the hair department is super lazy and they don't ever bother to brush it. I also can't stand this actress or the way she speaks in accent. I never had issue with Kyra Sedgwick, but this actress's accent comes off so fake that it's bleeding into her singing now. Not a simply twang either.

[jjh1776]

I may have missed something...how do we know Deacon doesn't know about Maddie? I always assumed that he did (based on some of the "what if" conversation in the pilot), but had chosen not to contest the issue because Teddy provided a much more stable environment (and clearly loves Maddie dearly). I thought Lamar's threats about letting out the information were about embarrassing Rayna, who is clearly well-loved and respected by fans, possibly also getting in a dig at Teddy, and about driving a wedge between Maddie and her mother.

[ElectricBoogalo]

It's never been explicitly stated whether Deacon knows or suspects (probably because they wanted to wait until they dropped that particular bombshell on the audience). It sounds like Deacon was drinking and partying a lot before his last stint in rehab, so it's possible that the timeline in his head isn't very clear to him about when Rayna's relationship with Teddy started (or maybe Rayna was casually dating both of them without any kind of serious commitment).

As I said earlier, I think Deacon carries a lot of guilt and blame about Vince's death and he may be punishing himself by wondering if Maddie is his and then telling himself that she's better off with Rayna and Teddy.

Lamar, on the other hand, definitely did not know that Deacon knew so his threat was designed to expose Rayna's secret to her husband, her children, and her fans. The fact that he would threaten to do something that would hurt his granddaughter so much says a lot about him. He's willing to do whatever he has to do in order to get his way. Hopefully Teddy is finally realizing what a mistake it was to get tangled up in this mess.

[MariaMax]

Hmmm, I guess I assumed that while Deacon was in rehab and Rayna married Teddy, that Rayna didn't tell Deacon that she was pregnant and marrying Teddy, because he might stand in her way. I also think the soapiness of the show would have dictated that Deacon would be giving Maddie a lot of long, meaningful, wistful looks, if he knew she was his. Like at her school concert, he would have been standing back in the shadows with a little tear in his eye.....

[LeGrandElephant]

I mean, aside from maybe running him down with his car, what could Teddy do to hurt Lamar?

Maybe keep him from seeing his granddaughters again? With both parents on board they could actually enforce that.

I actually clapped when they revealed Teddy knew all along about Maddie's (possible?) paternity and still strongly wanted to protect his place as her father. I wasn't clear on two details though: Is Deacon for sure Maddie's father, or is this a situation where it could be either and Rayna doesn't know and they never did a test to check? Second, did Rayna know that Teddy knew? If not, barging into the office like that was very risky (I guess she was just neutralizing blackmail) but if so, why did she seem surprised at Teddy's reaction?

One possible scenario is that when Teddy and Rayna got together, she found herself pregnant very soon after and she told him from the start that it could have technically been either him or Deacon and he said that's ok, let's just raise it as my child. Another scenario is that either Rayna suspects or knows that Maddie is Deacon's child, and thought she kept it secret, but Teddy guessed at the time and decided to go along with it and has made his peace with it. I think they have left open the possibility that when they finally do a paternity test it will turn out that Maddie really is Teddy's biological daughter.

I may have missed something...how do we know Deacon doesn't know about Maddie?

I think we don't know. He may not have realized the timeline if he was out of it on drugs at the time, or he may have realized its a strong possibility but decided not to upset the status quo and the happy family.

I didn't hear what Deacon's reporter friend said in bed about 14 years ago. Did something happen to Deacon besides him losing Rayna to Teddy.

I might be wrong, but I thought she was friends with Deacon and some other guy (Vince?) back in the day, and the three of them were hanging out and she left and Deacon and Vince kept drinking, and then Vince died in a drunk driving accident and it made things awkward between her and Deacon so they lost touch. Not sure if they said who was driving?

If Sean is the type who cares so much about not having sex before marriage, I'm surprised he counts a court wedding and not a church wedding as the main marriage.

[molshoop]

I don't care much for the way the character of Juliette is being written. "I get to be a bitch because I had a miserable childhood" is a tiresome trope. We get small doses of her being miserable and vulnerable to justify the manipulations and self absorption. The world is filled with people like that.

I don't see much difference between Juliette and Avery. He's willing to hurt people for a chance to get to the top. She's on top and still willing to hurt people: like her newly minted husband.

[Lila82]

I don't know which is worse: Scarlett's hair, Scarlett's clothes, Scarlett's dancing, or Scarlett herself. Although, she did get a good zinger in. I too pity the future Mrs. Avery Barnes.

Also? It still skeeves me out when Lucky Spencer has a sex scene.

Re: Deacon. I think the Rayna/Juliette tour also threw him for a loop because it means Rayna doesn't need him anymore. For years and years, while she went solo and made it big and married Teddy and built a life and family with him, Deacon was always secure knowing that Rayna couldn't be a successful musician without him. They fell in love writing together, and all her hits and live shows were dependent on his contributions. Then, she writes this huge song. She chooses a wild card producer. She books a successful tour and none of it has to do with him. That last tie to Rayna has been severed, and much as losing her to Teddy (and possible Maddie revelations) must have hurt, I think this hurt more. Their most significant connection is gone and he's floundering. Then, there's this reporter has brought to light the choices he's made, to always stand in Rayna's shadow when he clearly had the talent to go solo and be successful; Marilyn Rhodes said as much too. He has to be wondering what he sacrificed all those years, especially given their current situation.

Teddy is too often the fool, but I'm so glad he's not a fool about Maddie. He and Rayna are terrible together, but they're decent long-term partners. When they actually talk to each other, I can see the support system there.

Rayna's producer is Liam McGuinnis. With "Treme" ending, I'd love to see Michiel Huisman in a permanent role. Liam is an interesting character, compliments Deacon well, and illustrates a different side of the Nashville and overall music business. Love me some JJ from his GH days, but his character is so lacking.

I don't see much difference between Juliette and Avery. He's willing to hurt people for a chance to get to the top. She's on top and still willing to hurt people: like her newly minted husband.

They're different because their motivation is different. Avery hurts people to achieve success. Juliette's hurting people because of long-standing internal demons. She's on top of the world, beautiful and rich and successful, but deeply self-hating and wounded. She's turning on Sean not because she wants to hurt him, but because she's scared. She makes rash decisions for quick fixes, not because she's cruel, but because she's desperate for a tiny bit of love and acceptance. But then, she can't handle it and runs the other way. There's nothing new about either character, but the acting and writing has made me want to reach through my tv screen and give Juliette a huge hug. Avery...he's there and been saddled with (mostly) thankless writing. He's the clear villain, with small moments of redemption, but I'm unclear if we're supposed to hate him, love him, pity him, or love to hate him. He needs some fleshing out. Gunnar too. We know nothing of him except he's been in Nashville a few years and loves Scarlett.

Edited by Lila82, Jan 10, 2013 @ 6:02 PM.