This episode proves that Avery is the Zen master of the Nashville music scene. Where once he had a fancy car, a record contract and a hot older manager, he’s now embraced the reality of his life working at the Blue Bird. Sure, he’s dating country music star, Juliette Barnes, but he’s offering up little gems of wisdom to everyone who walks his way. Can this be the same Avery that broke Scarlett’s heart? His transformation from evil boyfriend with a record contract to sound engineer with humility is staggering. I guess Avery truly is a walking country music song about the price of fame and the triumph of finding yourself again.
But back to the train wrecks: Teddy “Bear” Conrad allowed Lamar to die on last week’s episode. This episode starts with Rayna in the studio with Liam and Scarlett, where she’s avoiding her family and not returning Teddy’s call. You see, Rayna has lost all of her emotions with the unending betrayal from her father and her sister. Plus, the last time she saw Lamar she told him that he was dead to her. How prescient of her! Liam doesn’t lose a beat in letting Rayna know that he’s there for her if she needs him. In Liam’s world this means grieving over a bottle of scotch and waking up in bed together. Rayna politely declines.
In Juliette Barnes world, she’s still shacking up with Avery and avoiding the press. Avery finds an article written by NY Times music critic Ken Inman which praises her performance at the Grand Ol’ Opry. Glen walks in on them and breaks the news that Howie V has sent a jet to pick up Juliette. One catch: she can’t take Avery with her and he’s calm about it. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s just a peaceful organism floating through life.
Elsewhere in Nashville, Deacon is still trying to get his solo career off the ground. He has a gig and hasn’t quite put a band together to help him play. He tells Megan “I need to find some likeminded suckers willing to play for cold beer and pizza.” Cue a scene where Gunnar, Zoey and Avery are playing music at Gunnar’s house. Why these are the exact kind of folks who will play for beer and pizza, what luck? The group learns all of Deacon’s song in a record 6 hour time span and shows up at the gig to be bumped to the midnight slot. Deacon is incredulous but Avery puts his arm on his shoulder and gives him the cool calm breeze of a man who is grateful for life. The show turns out to be a success, although we never see the pizza that Deacon owed.
Teddy arrives at Rayna’s house in a trench coat, like the Paddington Bear. He breaks the news that Lamar has passed away due to a heart attack. Teddy fibs that he tried to call for help but it was too late. Its ok Teddy Bear, everyone around Rayna is lying anyways so might as well add to the pile. Daphne asks Rayna if this means that “he’s in heaven” and the gravity of the situation becomes clear. These little girls just can’t catch a break. First their parents’ divorce, then their dad remarries all too quickly, his new wife dies, Maddie’s dad turns out to be Deacon and now grandpa dies. I see a lot of dark poetry in both of these girls’ futures. Tandy also shows up at Rayna’s house with a new short haircut. It’s important to remain fashionable in times of grief. Tandy is a wreck crying that “daddy is dead” and Rayna remains cold and indifferent “oh please Tandy, he was a murderer.”
Back at the studio, Liam is drinking with Scarlett and he plays the emotionally tortured man card by telling her “this life can be cruel to relationships” and then he tries to kiss her. Scarlett pulls back because it’s not a good idea. And then a mere 24 hours later back after a night of sleeping at the studio, she takes him up on the offer. Scarlett just can’t stay single, can she?
In Los Angeles, Howie V turns out to be yet another record producer with a hidden agenda for Juliette. He takes her song “Don’t put dirt on my grave just yet” and adds a dash of muzak and harp. He also tells Juliette that she should consider moving to Los Angeles. He’s bearded and eager, a nice contrast from the twirling mustache lothario Jeff Fordham but since he’s so generous with his time and money he must be corrupt. He later puts Juliette in a Lady Gaga type outfit for a photo shoot for Rolling Stones. He then gives Glen a wad of cash and asks him to get coffee for the group. Glen, a man of distinction, is not buying coffee for anyone and quits without giving Juliette an explanation. After Juliette gets the proofs from the photo shoot she decides it’s not really who she is. She’s still a country music star. She bringw Glen back and convinces him to stay as her manager. No word on how Howie V will take the news.
Juliette makes it back to Nashville in time to see Deacon perform at the Blue Bird. Avery, Gunner and Zoey also spontaneously create a band to perform as the second act. Deacon tells Juliette “do yourself a favor, don’t lose that one” because in case you’ve forgotten, he’s a man who lost the love of his life long ago. Deacon goes to Rayna’s house after the show to make her feel feelings. Rayna isn’t budging since she “comes from a family full of liars.”
Meanwhile Teddy and Megan meet up in his Mayor’s office. Megan has on her best dress and make up when Teddy admits he let Lamar die. Megan, who just can’t turn down a man in need, grows closer to him.
The episode closes with Rayna walking around Lamar’s office in a gorgeous dress. She’s holding a crystal glass and staring at a bottle of booze. And because she’s a bottle of anger and nerves ready to explode, she starts maniacally smashing things. That’s when Teddy Bear and Tandy walk in to calm her down. Next stop: Rayna James’ alcohol problem.
Bulleted observations:
-Avery is the only person in Nashville that reads the New York Times.
-Juliette does not want to move to Los Angeles because of the traffic.
-Even though Glen walks in on Juliette and Avery, Juliette claims he’s “seen worse.”
-Make sure Sashia and Malia got those Rhianna tickets!
-Don’t even think about hanging up on Deacon.
[Photo via Mark Levine/ABC]
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