What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 16 “I Saw the Light” (B)

This was a stronger episode in many ways than in previous weeks, even if it did contain a few slightly preposterous developments. I’m not sure that Rayna having her daughters perform during the sound check in front of a huge adoring audience serves the purpose she wanted, which was to educate them on the sweeter things in life which make becoming a celebrity less important. They were talented, however, and this episode was heavy on the music on all sides. Rayna’s poster managed to aggravate Juliette to no end and actually get her to set her mind on something productive, though I think that she’ll undo the good she did when she acknowledged her mother at her show by sleeping with her sponsor, who has clearly lost sight of his purpose and where his loyalties should lie while on the road. Deacon bringing Stacy with him on tour probably wasn’t the best idea, but it looks like they made it through alright. Chris Carmack’s new neighbor was very conveniently talented, and he served as a good buffer for Scarlett and Gunner while they were most annoyed with each other. I’m glad that Gunner indicated that he wasn’t upset that Scarlett got the deal but merely that she didn’t trust him enough to tell him about it, and that recommends their continued relationship for the future. I’m satisfied to see that Avery didn’t bounce back from his ill-fated decision to implode his career, and it doesn’t look like the road ahead for him will be too happy. Teddy and Peggy are behaving quite ruthlessly, but it looks like Lamar may have just been taken out of the equation. It seems too soapy, but it would sort of be great if Peggy was the one who induced the attack that took him down at the end of the episode.