Nashville - Season One (Wednesdays, 10pm on ABC)

[Wyliefan]

It's not like he was secretly contacting people and pushing himself forward - when he got on that plane, he thought that he was invited as a representative of the band, and that any deal was with them too.

And they thought the same thing. And that's the problem. He ended up making a decision that affected them all (it was finalized by the time he talked with them) without any input from them.

[*Jen*]

I think the bandmates were big babies about it. They've all been trying to make it for years, so when one of their own has success, they should be proud of him. What was he supposed to do, say no to the one thing he's been working for his whole life out of some sense of childhood loyalty? Is it right for people to hold back those they care about? Very selfish IMO.

And I think I said this before but there could have been opportunities for his bandmates - many stars bring their friends along for the ride, and opportunities roll out of that.

But by ditching them without even protesting, didn't Avery hold back his bandmates? He didn't bring them along for the ride. He didn't ask about opportunities. He was told it'd be just him, and rather than talk about it like he initially wanted to, he listened to the Cougar and let them go without looking back. All in the space of a 30 second scene

But I thought he did go back and talk to them before everything was finalized? Either way, why should they have any say in his future? He had the opportunity, not them. Was he supposed to say no? What kind of person would want to hold their friend back like that?

It's not like he was secretly contacting people and pushing himself forward - when he got on that plane, he thought that he was invited as a representative of the band, and that any deal was with them too.

My husband played in several bands with friends and schoolmates when he was younger, and everyone knew that some guys would make it, and most would not. When several of them had opportunities, the other guys were the first to congratulate and cheer them on.

And again - he's holding back his friends by not including them. And some of them have gone to see him play. But I think it comes back to him being a massive douche His friends have reacted the way they have because he's such a douche, none of them believe he had a second thought for them. And I happen to think they're right. Look at the way he treated Cougar after he got a little taste of fame? Those two deserved each other

I just think you like bad boys, Jenny!

To be honest, I can see why he left his band too, but I still think he did it in a really douchy way.

[Jenny]

I just think you like bad boys, Jenny!

That would be true

[HeatherC]

Totally late to the party in this thread but please tell me I'm not the only one who needed a bit of a cold shower after that hot kiss between Rayna & Deacon in the elevator.....HELLO!

And count me as another who thinks Avery was very douchy to his friends/bandmates about everything but I also don't think he's totally a bad guy either. I think he's just been blinded by the potential for fame & success and therefore is making some really bad decisions trying to make it happen. I wonder if him having a big fall from grace (which I kind of see coming) is the story they're using to redeem his character which should hopefully make him less douchy overall. I'm totally on board if that's where they're going with him.

[Jenny]

Sunday's NY Times magazine is featuring a profile of Connie Britton that's online now for those interested.

[Susan1]

Sunday's NY Times magazine is featuring a profile of Connie Britton that's online now for those interested.

She was also on "Katie" today. (Sorry for the late notice! Oh, wait, you can probably watch it online somewhere anyway.............) She was only on for the first 10 minutes. And I watched the longer interview with Reba. Then I stopped watching the recording.

[genevieve]

Man, what a great episode tonight!

Juliette: she took a backseat in terms of storyline this week, which should set us up nicely for a future episode, but there was plenty going on. Nice juxtaposition between the new, mature direction Juliette wants to take her music and show, and the celeb brattiness with which she treated her staff. Even when she was excited about writing with Deacon it was the old selfish, entitled Juliette who gets what she wants, when she wants it. The ending, with her rattling around her beautiful glass house alone and then calling her mom to invite her to come live there, was exquisite. And what a different elevator ride with Deacon than the ones he shared with Rayna last week, eh?

Scarlett/Gunnar: it was obvious that we'd get a "no, he's really bad news after all" twist at the end, but I thought this was a decent display of the ways in which family relationships are complicated (which really could be the theme of the whole show), there is no black and white, and the song they performed with Gunnar's brother was gorgeous.

Avery: this was just a wee bit stashed in there, but nice to see Haley! And, while I think Avery was an asshat royale to Scarlett and to his band, I think the show does a good job of portraying the difficulty of a young artist struggling, and then trying to navigate the opportunities that come his way, when every single person claims to have his best interest in mind but is clearly out for themselves.

Rayna: it was her show tonight. I was glad to see Liam again - I loved their collaboration, and I thought they had great chemistry together. Tonight's ep showed both smoldering chemistry and how sometimes you can only confide in someone who doesn't know all your secrets. Or any of them. The show opening was overly dramatic (esp with the misleading previews that made it sound like she biffed the whole concert) but Connie Britton just KILLED IT in the bathroom scene. KILT IT. Nice handling of Rayna & Teddy telling the girls. Not sure what to think about the older daughter finding out about Teddy's affair, or telling Rayna about it, but I guess we have to make sure Rayna is the clearly wronged one, even though she's been in the emotional affair for the whole marriage, and has now smooched two different guys who aren't Teddy in two nights.

Damn, Connie Britton was fabulous in this ep

[Wyliefan]

Connie Britton just KILLED IT in the bathroom scene. KILT IT.

She did! That was an amazing scene!

[Jenny]

genevieve, it's like we were sitting next to each other on the couch last night, because I echo all your thoughts.

One thing I am fearing is that the season finale will have Deacon on a bender and Rayna and Juliette coming together to deal with it. Deacon is a real loose cannon right now - doesn't really fit in anywhere, going through the motions professionally, offering bits of advice to others but avoiding his own issues, and how will he react to the news that Rayna plans to sign his niece without a word to him? I do not want to see him fall apart, but I think it's inevitable.

Also yay for the return of Tandy!

I can't remember the last time I loved a show this much.

[Jenny]

Here's something fun for those curious as to how the actors playing Scarlett and Gunner sound in RL - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q67_o3levYY

[Susan1]

Connie Britton just KILLED IT in the bathroom scene. KILT IT.

Loved it, but wasn't anyone else worried about her getting caught with Liam so it looked like she was the cheater in the marriage instead of Teddy. I was holding my breath. (Don't let the writers see this!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[genevieve]

Loved it, but wasn't anyone else worried about her getting caught with Liam so it looked like she was the cheater in the marriage instead of Teddy. I was holding my breath. (Don't let the writers see this!!!!!!!!!!!!)

yes, and based on the previews for the next ep, it looks like there will be some fallout from their evening out.

[Susan1]

yes, and based on the previews for the next ep, it looks like there will be some fallout from their evening out.

I must not have been looking at the previews! I hope it's just Teddy or Deacon that finds out and not the tabloids. Or the people in the bar who recognized her. Don't tell me. Wait, it's not going to be on for 2 weeks. I can't wait that long. Drop a hint (if everybody else saw the previews)?????

[*Jen*]

I must not have been looking at the previews! I hope it's just Teddy or Deacon that finds out and not the tabloids. Or the people in the bar who recognized her. Don't tell me. Wait, it's not going to be on for 2 weeks. I can't wait that long. Drop a hint (if everybody else saw the previews)?????

Why not just look at the preview on youtube? You've just said 'don't tell me' and 'tell me' all at once, so I'm going to err on the side of caution and not day anything at all.

I liked Avery's storyline this week. It's an interesting choice to make - $100,000 now or potentially millions...or nothing. What's a bet he eventually hits the big time and is annoyed with the decision he made? I think it's lose/lose

[HeatherC]

Finally got to watch this week's episode and have to join in the Connie Britton gushing because she was AWESOME this week. That bathroom scene was SO heartbreaking but the scene with her and the oldest daughter got me too (when the daughter told her about Teddy and that hussy Peggy). Really enjoyed watching Rayna struggle so much this week and I feel like it's a privilege watching Connie go through every emotion known to man on this show most weeks. I ADORE HER.

Juliette was acting like a spoiled brat this week with her crew and band but she redeemed herself a bit by asking her mom to move in with her for a while. She's definitely improved as a character over the course of this show but she still has a few tendencies that drive me nuts. Yay for Deacon being the point of reason for her and letting her know that she can't treat everyone like dirt just because she's their boss.

I actually liked the Gunner and Scarlet stuff this week (loved their reactions to Rayna wanting to sign them) and I do not trust that brother at all. What is he up to and I hope Gunner doesn't do anything bad. Avery's story has gotten pretty interesting too and I'm kind of glad he made the decision to go with the publishing. He may very well get his foot in the door a better way and then get some different and more fulfilling opportunities through it. Maybe then he'll also grow a pair and stop being an immature ass to just about everyone, LOL

Love this show!

[*Jen*]

I love this show so much, I may have got my oldest friend, a classmate, my boss and my hairdresser hooked on it Whoops! It's great for me though, it means I can talk about the show with them!

[Wyliefan]

Oh, poor Jason and poor Gunnar! Somehow I didn't see that coming. Darned show, making me cry. I might as well have been watching Old Yeller with Deacon.

Stupid Peggy and Teddy. I'm SICK of them. I hope the relationship falls apart and she goes full Fatal Attraction on him. She's just the type to do it. Everyone hide your bunnies!

Things could get very interesting, though, now that it's Lamar vs. Teddy. Suddenly old Lamar ain't looking so bad . . .

[dbell1]

Ah, Lamar, you slick old coot. You had me liking you tonight. Of course, that's because he hates Teddy now for wronging his baby.

Teddy - way to keep it classy. Hiring Peggy? While knowing the girl you raised as your daughter is aware of what you've done and now you're lying about it? Nice. I'm waiting for Lamar to go all Don Corleone on them. Do those two idiots forget that Lamar knows about the bank scandal and Peggy's role in it?

@ a puppy for Deacon. So cute. Also loved the Old Yeller gag running through the show.

Hayden continues to kill it every episode - that scene where she left the bar to take care of her mom - the old Juliette wouldn't have done that. And her snarking at Rayna about singing - priceless.

Gunnar! Such an amazing scene there. I thought they were taking him in for questioning since brother skipped bail. And what exactly had big brother done in Nashville in such a short time to get beaten to death in an alley?

Avery's still doing the 'outside looking in thing'. But, him getting rid of the fancy guitar and going for something acoustic - might be a step in the right musical direction.

Finally, I downloaded "Casino" and am addicted. I may have to subtitle twangy Scarlett every week, but that song is amazing.

PS - Vince Gill? What the hell happened to him! The man was hot years ago! Those clear glasses are all kinds of fugly.

[Wyliefan]

Hayden continues to kill it every episode - that scene where she left the bar to take care of her mom - the old Juliette wouldn't have done that.

I was half-expecting her to lose it with her mother -- I loved that they brought out her compassionate side instead. The actress and the writers are doing amazing things with this character. She's fully fleshed out, relatable, and unpredictable.

Spoiler

Oh, check this out: "Jessica" from Person of Interest will play a love interest for Deacon. First Reese's girlfriend, now Deacon's. How do I get a job like that?

[Jenny]

Another fabulous episode! Hayden needs an Emmy, big time - love the development of her character and the way she's playing it with so much complexity. The scene at Scarlett's house when her assistant says "don't be afraid" as the window rolls down and her playful bitchiness at Rayna, but then her growing compassion for her mother even as we find out how bad it really was, her opening up to the counsellor (do we trust him??) and her sadness at not getting to play the Bluebird, again.

Gunner was great this ep - so much emotion there. I too didn't see it coming, and then to find out he was beaten to death, how awful. And I thought the way the transitioned from Scarlett wanting to tell him off to realizing something was wrong to him telling the story to them going from comfort to passion was really well done. I was getting a bit tired of Scarlett, but she's back in my good books

Many sides of Rayna again, and did you notice that we actually heard her addressed as three different names? So meaningful in this ep. And that song! Deacon's look while she sang was

And I know y'all hate Avery, but once again I really felt for him this ep. Looking into that party and having no idea it was for Deacon or thrown by Juliette, all he saw was Scarlett getting to perform, something he is missing sorely now.