What I'm Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 12 “I’ve Been Down That Road Before” (B+)

Here we had quite a jam-packed episode with a handful of romantic developments, most of them entirely shocking. I suppose Teddy’s hook-up with Peggy could have been expected, but not his subsequent trip to Chicago to tell Rayna that he wanted a divorce. The fact that Deacon was on his way into Rayna’s room at that very moment because she had texted him following their passionate elevator kiss was even more momentous. Unfortunately, while these new pairings could work out just fine, I suspect that Deacon will not easily forgive what he’ll likely interpret as a deliberate set-up by Rayna, and I’m curious to see how the recently absent Lamar will react to the news that Teddy is no longer his son-in-law. Juliette is having altogether different troubles, and it’s most demoralizing to see Glenn respond so negatively to her attempt to break free of her brand, though it’s hard to blame him given how rarely she follows his advice or advises him that she won’t be adhering to it. She may actually have unintentionally earned some respect from Rayna in the process of reinventing herself. Gunnar’s roommate problems were a thin device for him to move in with Scarlett, but it was extremely satisfying to see him punch Avery after he insulted Scarlett. Avery may have walked out on his new manager, but it’s too late for him to right the wrongs he’s committed and to win back the girl of his dreams. Fortunately for Gunnar, he’s in exactly the place he should be, no doubt earning points for defending Scarlett’s honor while declaring that they weren’t sleeping together.