Nashville is finally back from hiatus, and it has been way too long. In addition to the characters we’ve been missing, all of the music moving forward shows incredible promise, which is what I’m most excited about. Let’s take this career by career.
Layla’s career is taking off, but her relationship with Jeff is very much not. Layla ends up walking out on an interview Jeff set up for her with one of his ex-bed buddies. During a confrontation with Teddy, Jeff forces himself to give Layla a chance romantically since he’ll be utterly alone otherwise. Layla proves just how much she’s grown in the last year, telling Jeff that he shouldn’t have to try so hard to love her and it’s best if their relationship is strictly professional from now on. It’s nice to see Layla taking charge of her life and refusing to settle again.
Layla’s ex-husband also has to get his act together, because oh my goodness Will sounds amazing! The song he wrote with Kevin was beautiful and from the heart. When Kevin notices that Will isn’t completely comfortable around him though, he quits, leaving Will with writer’s block. So he goes to Layla of all people, who tells him that if he’s never been in love, he has no business writing love songs. Will bites the bullet and reaches an understanding with Kevin about what he’s going through so that they can continue to work together (seriously, how has Luke not figured out Will’s sexuality by now?).
The Triple Exes are out this week on tour, and so far Day 1 of touring is going pretty well. Except that everyone is feeling a little on edge. Avery calls his wife every hour on the hour as she is three weeks away from her due date, Gunnar struggles with his renewed feelings for Scarlett, and Scarlett can’t stop thinking about the breakdown she had the last time she played in Chicago. Scarlett needs to learn the first lesson of social media, never listen to the haters who blast you simply because they are negative people seeking attention. Gunnar speaks logically, pointing out that her words are better used in a different format.
The band performs Scarlett’s rejuvenating “My Song” to much applause, including Scarlett’s new beau Caleb. Seeing the look on Gunnar’s face at this, Avery pushes his friend to tell Scarlett the truth about what he wants before it’s too late. Sage advice from the guy who went from barely forgiving his lady to marrying her, and is now happily serenading his wife and daughter over FaceTime. Alas Gunnar does move too late; Scarlett has already gone to be with her good doctor.
It seems like Teddy will never get it together, as he is in hot water for being involved with a prostitute, so much so he calls in one of Lamar’s old cronies for help. There’s not much he can do since Teddy has already become the subject of a federal investigation. We all know this is going to unravel more quickly than it normally would since Teddy is already making dumb moves like trying to pay off his special lady friend.
Rayna’s other ex Luke ends up singing his heartbreak song with Sadie of all people. After a night of sharing experiences, Luke and Sadie end the night relatively platonically. Luke probably should have just gone ahead and walked her to her car, since not two minutes later Sadie was attacked by her ex-husband Pete and forced to shoot him in self-defense.
As for Deacon and Rayna, the truth about Deacon’s cancer is finally out, and Rayna vows to stand by Deacon. Deacon refuses to be hopeful though (“This is how the song ends for me”), to which Rayna responds with a guitar-destroying fit. Deacon is determined to protect Rayna, and also points out that it’s not just Rayna he has to protect, but their daughter as well. Rayna refuses to buy into Deacon’s logic, telling Deacon a variation of the “it’s better to have loved and lost” speech. FINALLY Deacon and Rayna are back on…only as long as Deacon is alive that is.
Lives on the line, lives about to be born, and a whole lot of great music to look forward to in the coming weeks. Let’s buckle up and enjoy the music!
[Photo via ABC]
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