While these are dark, tumultuous times for most of our characters, this was a terrific episode of Nashville. A churning potboiler of an hour, it gave us resolution on some long-simmering matters that really needed to be concluded or taken to the next level. Speaking of which, you know I have to start out by talking about...
Deacon and "Megan"* - Finally! I am so glad that Deacon now sees "Megan" for the two-timin', duplicitous, lyin' hussy she truly is. As if it weren't bad enough that "Megan" a) cheated on Deacon (because seriously, who does that?), b) did so with the grieving, confused, angst-ridden Teddy, and c) proceeded to act like Teddy was a crazy stalker for trying to talk to her about their tryst afterwards, then she had to go and act all sweet and lovey dovey towards Deacon at the beginning of this episode. "Megan's" fake-ass routine was getting old, so it's a good thing Teddy was persistent, cornering her at Deacon's gig and calling her on her nonsense in earshot of Deacon himself.
Frankly, all of his dark mess lately has made Teddy pretty hot, making it absurdly obvious that "Megan" doesn't deserve him or Deacon. Unfortunately, while it's good that the truth came out and Deacon isn't being played for a fool anymore, the emotional toll this will take on him is dangerous. I thoroughly agree with his well-played and righteous disses to "Megan" at the end of the episode, informing her that they are through and she had no right to know where he went when he left her.
However, despite the fact that "Megan" also has no right to go off on some speech about his sobriety right after she crushed his heart, there is a kernel of truth to her worries. Deacon might go off on another of his drunken rampages after this latest debacle. But seriously, y'all? I don't know. Last time he did that, it was because he found out Maddie was his daughter. That grief was all mixed up with his tarnished soul-mates saga with Rayna and the realizations of his fatherhood, emotions far deeper and more serious than this failed romance with a guest star girlfriend. I might be wrong, but I'm hoping Deacon can cling to his newfound peace of mind and the successful, reinvented life he's built for himself.
Rayna and Luke: These two ran into trouble this week for a couple of reasons that seem relatively tame considering that I'm sure Luke's harboring some creepy secret(s) which have yet to see the light. First, Luke's "cool dj" (eye-roll) son put a video of Maddie and Daphne online, which went against Rayna's social media rules. Maddie, by the way, is now just in full-fledged Mary Camden rebellious teenager mode. Then, everyone found out about the dreaded "Maddie Claybourne" video, which led to Luke finding out that Deacon is Maddie's biological father.
First of all, I had no idea Luke didn't already know that. It's not a very well-kept secret, and it speaks to Rayna's lack of faith in her relationship with Luke that she chose not to entrust him with this key knowledge. And her weak explanation of her secrecy to Luke that ended with "...somethin' like that...?" seemed to confirm my suspicions: she was nowhere near the level of trust with Luke that she needed to have in order to tell him about one of the most important factors in her life. Ouch, Luke. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, in whichever upcoming episode you're shown it.
The scene between Rayna and Maddie where Rayna explained why she didn't want Maddie sharing her personal life online and told her daughter how much she is loved and wanted was beautiful. Just as she was when she played Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights, Connie Britton is seamlessly believable as a loving mother who is trying very hard to be the best parent she can.
Juliette, Scarlett, and Avery: These three had wonderful material this week and I absolutely loved the complex dynamic at work between the three of them. Scarlett, still weakened by her loathing of the trappings of fame and fortune (before she's established either), and still popping those stupid pills, still had the guts to epically stand up to a jealous and pissed-off, territorial Juliette. Damn, girl. In spite of all her typical whining, Scarlett showed real backbone this week and it was awesome. Maybe she's finally out there on her own enough to start discovering that she doesn't need to lean on other people's expectations to be a real artist and a happier person. Scarlett's not there all the way yet, and it will likely take a while...and I wish we could have some more Liam/Scarlett too, fraught though that would be...but I saw real sparks of strength here. Now she just needs to dump the pills down the sink.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Juliette Barnes has asked me to come out here and make a whole lot of noise for you. But I'm the kind of artist who prefers to whisper. So this one's for you, Juliette." -Scarlett
I don't blame Juliette in the least for feeling threatened by all the time Avery was spending with Scarlett. But naturally, being Juliette, she had to handle it in the most inappropriate way possible, and yeah, she needed to be taken down a peg (by meek Scarlett of all people! I love the craziness of that). Still, I adored the way Juliette bared her soul to Avery at the end of the episode and thought it was one of the best scenes between them ever (that's really saying something, because Juliette/Avery are always amazing together).
Juliette: "I do, I do trust you, which scares me even more. You have my heart, you're capable of destroying me."
Avery: "I would never do that."
Will, Layla, and Gunnar: Eek. Will and Layla really got hitched. This despite Jeff Fordham's eleventh hour announcement to Gunnar that he suspects Will's secret (along with a gross, oily speech from Jeff about why he couldn't work with Will if he was gay. Rayna's right - Jeff is such a tool) and Gunnar's attempts to talk some sense into Will. So determined was Will to try and save himself and his reputation from his homosexuality that he even ignored Layla's worries when she questioned the rush and worried her parents would disown her. Even though it was incredibly selfish of Will to act this way, his are the actions of an immature and terrified individual, and as such, it's easy to sympathize with him. Poor Layla seems to be willing to deceive herself, since there's no way she doesn't find this relationship and the quick marriage strange. This sad state of affairs can't be leading anywhere good.
What did you think of this week's Nashville? What do you hope to see happen to the characters next week? Share your thoughts in the comments!
*As some readers may recall, I have dubbed "Megan" with the air-quotes of my utmost disdain.
