What I'm Watching: Master of None

Master of None: Season 1, Episode 6 “Nashville” (B+)

Now this was a great episode. I couldn't be more excited to have Noel Wells back as a newly single Rachel who was brave enough to accept the bold invitation from an eager Dev to fly to Nashville for their first real date. Starting off from a position of already knowing each other was enormously helpful and enabled them to just fire back humorous comments at each other, and what a pair they make. Trying to get the hotel clerk to admit that there had been a murder in their room was a fun start, and they just kept on going with that throughout the course of their entire stay. It was a shame to see Dev make the unfortunate misstep of trusting the usually reliable Waze and making them miss their flight back, an especially lamentable development considering they were late so that he could go get a sauce he could have bought at the airport, but luckily the rut didn't last long as he tried to make it up to her on their flight and then promptly asked her to hang out more as soon as they got back to New York. It's a real delight to see Dev doing so well romantically, finally getting a girl who is completely on the same page as him about everything related to humor and fun things to do. They were comfortable enough to nap during their out-of-town date, and her being a vegetarian isn't a dealbreaker. I really hope this thing is going to last – they're great for each other.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 2, Episode 4 “You’re No Angel Yourself” (C+)

It didn’t feel right to stop watching this show midway through an episode, so I think I’ll officially say that this is my final episode. Whether I’ll return to this show again someday is unknown, but, for now, it’s just not doing as much as for me as other shows are. The drama that’s occurring between Gunnar and Will is grating, especially since Avery, who has suddenly returned to the only available job in Nashville other than being a famous musician, is the one who planted the idea in Gunnar’s head that he shouldn’t lie down and let Will take his fame from him. Scarlett’s plotline is so tame and boring by comparison, and it seems like she’s just headed sideways, already famous enough to be successful but still acting like no one knows or cares who she is. Maddie fleeing the party and calling Juliette felt a bit forced since it was the only way to unite Rayna and Juliette, and it forced Juliette to stoop to a level she’d likely never even consider – asking her own imitator to open for her so that she can still remain relevant. I’m perplexed about why Lamar needs to be officially gotten rid of when he’s barely even been present lately, and it makes the equally infrequently-seen Tandy more relevant than she’s ever been. Teddy proposing to Peggy was very sterile and unemotional, and you’d think that she’d have at least an ounce more discretion than to wear the ring around her neck to a party where she knew she’d run into people that would recognize it. So long, Nashville. It’s been a fun if unspectacular ride.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 2, Episode 3 “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It Now” (B-)

I’m not sure why I’m still watching this show, but it’s not as if its quality has changed so much since it first started. It’s all terribly soapy, particularly the plotline involving Avery and Juliette. He seemed far too offended by her referring to him as the hired help in front of a client, and she just doesn’t know how to avoid bad decisions, like kissing a man who hired her as a gift to his wife in the middle of the hallway while staying in his home. Juliette is determined to be all alone, and it’s not very pleasant to watch. Rayna, on the other hand, jumped right back into bed with Liam after deciding that Deacon isn’t right for her, and the only positive thing about that is he might be able to help her in her newfound battle with Jeff, which is getting uglier by the moment. Not being able to sing anymore is a big deal, but I’m sure that won’t last long. All of the drama with Will and Gunnar and Scarlett isn’t gripping, and it’s about time Gunnar stopped being a sad sack and scored a win. With no position of power, it makes sense that Coleman would leave town as a way for him to be written off the show. I just wish the same would happen with Peggy, who’s only going to wreak havoc on Teddy’s family life as she continues manipulating him into feeling connected to her and her fake baby.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 2, Episode 2 “Never No More” (B)

I haven’t yet given up on this show, and this episode was actually pretty packed with major developments. Jeff is changing things in a big way, telling Juliette that she needs to try harder to hit number one and convincing Will that he should distinguish himself from Rayna by having his own label. He’s very into burning bridges, as he managed to piss both Rayna and Juliette off by launching the runner-up of a reality show, letting her sing one of Juliette’s songs, no less. Rayna starting to think about walking away from Edgehill is an intriguing idea, and that might be the way that Juliette and Rayna stay connected now that she’s conscious again and Juliette isn’t milking her coma for all it’s worth. Rayna and Teddy playing nice was reassuring to see, but that didn’t last long, and it doesn’t seem like Rayna’s interested in being with Deacon either. He’s doing a spectacular job of alienating the one person who does want to take care of him, and I’m not sure how long Scarlet is going to last, especially since her new friend looks to be starting up a romance with Gunnar. Juliette returning to Alabama to try to help launch her label was most worthwhile for the way in which it fleshed out Avery’s friendship with Juliette. While she isn’t quite capable of having friends, male or female, it would be helpful for her to have a relationship not based purely on sex with someone other than her manager or her assistant.

What I’m Watching: Nashville (Season Premiere)

Nashville: Season 2, Episode 1 “I Fall to Pieces” (B-)

This is one show that I didn’t intensely miss during its summer hiatus, and one which I’m not entirely sure that I’d love to keep watching, though I likely will because it’s one of the shows that my fiancée and I watch together each week. Picking up where last season left off, this episode managed to hit on a number of plot points and introduce some new, worrisome threads for the various supporting players. Chris Carmack, who plays Will, is now a series regular, and his closeted sexual orientation is causing some major grief for Gunnar, who isn’t close to over Scarlett after she refused his proposal. Gunnar had a great moment with Avery when he turned his snarky comment around on him, and I’m not sure what will happen now with Scarlett as she moves on with her life while the two most prominent men in it continue to interact with her regularly. Deacon was experiencing some serious self-pity, complete with a number of flashbacks, and while he might want to punish himself with jail time, Rayna corroborating his lawyer’s suspicion that he wasn’t driving should spare him that. Juliette managed to milk Rayna’s time in the hospital for all it was worth, a truly selfish move, and befriending Maddie is an intriguing development. Teddy is extremely distracted, and Peggy lying to him about the pregnancy is immensely manipulative and sure to lead nowhere good. It’s interesting that Lamar is being given a new plotline when actor Powers Boothe is no longer a series regular, so we’ll have to see how far that goes.

What I’m Watching: Nashville (Season Finale)

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 21 “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive” (B-)

This was a powerful episode in many ways, but I’m not compelled by where some aspects of the story are headed. Deacon’s reaction to the news that Maddie might be his daughter is expected, and it really managed to undo him completely, making sure that Teddy was vigilant about Deacon not being in her life and sending him spiraling back into addiction. Maddie was angry with Rayna and wanted to live with Teddy, who is now going to have a whole new scandal to deal with since she is pregnant with a baby that most likely is in fact Teddy’s. Lamar demoting Tandy was his last big misstep, since his apparent return to health makes him ripe for a political takedown. He hasn’t been a central player on this show consistently enough for that plotline to be of extreme interest. The final scene with Will was also puzzling, since he seemed to imply some evil by the look he gave the guy who stared at him, suddenly transformed into some homicidal maniac rather than the shy player who made a move on Gunnar and then pretended it didn’t happen. I’m curious to see whether Gunnar timing his proposal both after their break-up and after Scarlett had to see her uncle unhinged will prove to be a good idea, though she did look awfully cozy with another completely transformed character, Avery, when he called her up on stage to sing with him. I find it odd that Rayna was one of the only people to attend Juliette’s mother’s funeral since she would likely not have wanted her nemesis there. I will admit that it was refreshing to see Glenn again, and to see him back in such a sympathetic, comforting way. Juliette actually has little to lose now as she moves forward, while Rayna and Deacon will surely feel the residual effects of what appears to be a very bad car accident in season two. I did enjoy this first year even if the plot got a bit away from itself sometimes, and I look forward to seeing the show again next year.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Connie Britton as Rayna

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 20 “A Picture from Life’s Other Side” (B-)

With just one episode to go this season, fans of this show can be secure in the fact that it will be back for a second year. Major changes are already underway as of this hour which are sure to have a lasting impact on the show when it returns. Most devastating is Jolene’s death, which serves to contrast the relief that Juliette might have felt by Dante being removed from the equation. I’m unimpressed with how Dante’s arc progressed, that the betrayed Jolene but then turned out just to be in it for the money, making the crucial mistake of starting with one ultimatum and then presenting another when the first was all set to be met. Offering up an SD card in this day and age hardly carries any weight since it's incredibly easy to copy such a thing. Without her mother in her life, Juliette really will be more along, but the tragedy of it all may help her to focus. Whether that brings Avery into her romantic life is another question, and it’s peculiar to see how that has been fast-tracked to the point of almost being ready to happen. Gunnar continues to make Avery-like mistakes in his relationship with Scarlett, and as if saying that he does what he wants with his love life wasn’t bad enough, he had to go get himself arrested and miss Scarlett’s big debut, likely losing her permanently. Tandy’s hostile takeover attempt is mildly intriguing but ultimately irrelevant since she and Lamar are such minor parts of this show, and it’s much more notable that Rayna went to Lamar for help when Teddy tried to block Deacon from being around his daughters. Promising Teddy that Maddie would never learn the truth was an olive branch, but it seems that one of the parents was too stupid to realize that leaving a paternity test lying around the house in a place Maddie would know where to look might lead to her one day finding it.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 19 “Why Don’t You Love Me” (B-)

I’d like to start by addressing one of the most ultimately irrelevant storylines on this show, which is Coleman and his increasingly tangential relation to the greater Nashville universe. After being approached by Tandy in an effort to get him to whip Teddy into shape, he decided that resigning one mere month after being appointed to his prestigious position was the appropriate power play. One would think that he could use a steady paycheck, but apparently making absurd life decisions for no reason is much more productive. It’s astonishing that Avery and Gunnar are pretty much switching roles, as the formerly cruel and selfish Avery doesn’t take the opportunity to bed a country superstar after stepping in as her lead guitarist during her show, and Gunnar can’t be bothered to pay any attention to Scarlett while simultaneously pushing a clueless Will away. It doesn’t seem that Scarlett and Gunnar are going to make it, and I can only hope that she doesn’t continue to subject herself to mistreatment. Though Teddy is concerned about Maddie’s paternity being revealed, he did a great job of trying to get back in his daughter’s good graces, while Rayna is reveling in playing house with an infatuated Deacon. After an extraordinarily self-destructive and embarrassing episode, Juliette is going to hit rock bottom thanks to whatever miserable scheme Dante has in store for her. I don’t think things could get any worse, and I’m curious to see what surprises the final two episodes of this show will bring as the show heads for an uncertain fate with a second season renewal still pending.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 18 “Take These Chains from My Heart” (B-)

I’m not quite sure what to make of this episode, since some parts were undeniably interesting, though it does feel like some of them are on a never-ending loop. That’s particularly true of Teddy’s status in the mayor’s office and of Juliette’s feelings towards her mother. Tandy seeking Coleman out to tell him how to keep Teddy in line was something unexpected, but I think that the mayor and the deputy mayor need to try getting along and putting on a united front to keep the city running, since everyone around them is doing more than enough lying and conspiring. Dante up and leaving after convincing Juliette that her mother had relapsed didn’t quite track with the way that his sudden change of behavior could be attributed to his addiction to power, and it’s now the second time that a major relationship of Juliette’s has tanked. Rayna, on the other hand, is overflowing with options, nearly accompanying Liam to St. Lucia and then bursting in to kiss Deacon and officially rekindle their love. That’s going to have serious implications, especially when Juliette finds out. Will making a move on Gunnar was no surprise, but let’s hope that it shocks Gunnar back into reality and reminds him that he’s much better off with Scarlett than without her. Seeing Avery should have done that for him, and he’s going to lose her if he doesn’t start treating her like the sweetest, most thoughtful person in the world, since it’s hard to find a bad thing to say about her.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 17 “My Heart Would Know” (C+)

This was hardly the best episode of this show, treading familiar territory without really covering any new ground at all. Juliette’s behavior in particular is deplorable, and her reaction to her mom trying to kiss Dante was horrible. Dante so strongly shifting his behavior doesn’t exactly track with his past record, and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before he either gets tired of Juliette’s attitude or chooses to follow someone else who might offer him more power. Back in Nashville, things with Lamar were considerably more dramatic, mainly because of the breaking news that Rayna’s mother had an affair with a major musician we know. Deacon running to Rayna’s side when she called him was sweet, but he shouldn’t be going around giving keys to his house to other people if he’s not going to be upfront about where his priorities and allegiances lie. Tammy taking over Lamar’s stake in the stadium deal should drive a further wedge between Teddy and his ex-wife’s family, and something tells me that, somewhat deservedly, Peggy is going to suffer the consequences most. Gunnar’s new buddy has done a good job of getting him to focus on what’s truly important, and I just hope that Scarlett’s newfound sweet success won’t impact what looks to be a healthy relationship. At least they’re better off than Avery, who really is scraping the bottom of the barrel in his business and is likely to cause friction between Dante and Juliette that I suspect will lead to him getting punched.

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.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 15 “When You’re Tired of Breaking Other Hearts” (B-)

While this wasn’t a bad episode necessarily, it was definitely hard to believe several of the developments that occurred. Juliette coming to realize that she may in fact be to blame for her mother’s condition makes sense, though it took her an awfully long time to get there, complete with packing her intimate show with way too many fans and then trying to skirt responsibility for the accident that ensued. Inviting her mother and her sponsor along on her tour is yet another mistake that she’s already made, and I can’t see it turning out well. Gunner sure picked a bad time to don a hoodie and head to the wrong part of town, and I’m sure that he’ll resent Scarlett for trying to salvage the situation and netting herself a solo deal in the process. Deacon’s courtship of his new veterinary friend was amusing and awkward, and his conversation with Coleman about both of them being addicted to Rayna’s family rang true on both sides. To this point, Lamar hasn’t been enough of a central character to have true damaging power, but I imagine that he’ll try to bring down the new mayor and deputy mayor if ever he returns for longer than the one scene in which he appeared this week. Avery literally burning all of his recordings felt highly anachronistic, and as if his successful destruction of all the work that was left lying around wasn’t far-fetched as it is, the notion of him returning his full advance and walking away was most certainly a stretch.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 14 “Dear Brother” (B-)

Everything is getting a bit out of control on this show, and only certain aspects of it remain fully coherent. Juliette’s spur-of-the-moment decision to plan Deacon a surprise party after learning it was his birthday while she knew that he wouldn’t want it was questionable, if somewhat in line with the way she lives her life, and it really ended up being so much more about her than about him. That said, Rayna did manage to come in and steal the show, something that was doubly damaging to Juliette, who had to deal with her mom’s relapse at the same time. I don’t trust Jay Hernandez’s sponsor Dante not because of any reason related to this show, but because his character Paul Wells on “Last Resort” was sent in as an enemy spy, a certain sign that my excessive TV watching has caused me great confusion. To her credit, Rayna is handling her separation well, and it’s good, though highly inconsistent with everything we’ve seen thus far, to see her sister step up to the plate to help in her time of need. Teddy appointing Coleman to be his deputy mayor is audacious but respectable, whereas giving Peggy a position is just plain stupid, and Lamar is sure to come after him to get revenge for his betrayal. The death of Gunnar’s brother is ultimately incidental, but at least Scarlett and Gunnar have finally gotten together, and Avery couldn’t even get inside to see them play. It’s about time, and hopefully it can only lead to good places.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 13 “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” (B)

Rayna’s marriage with Teddy is officially ending, and somehow she still managed not to be able to find a moment alone with Deacon, alienating him instead and choosing Liam for what could have been and still might be her free pass. Finding out that Teddy is sleeping with Peggy is sure to rile Rayna up, especially after Teddy tried to make her feel guilty and to force her not to put off telling their daughters about their separation. Fortunately, things at work are going fine for Rayna, even after she missed multiple cues on stage and had to snap back into the moment in order to recover. Juliette, on the other hand, continues to push away everyone in her life, and it’s a surprise that Glenn lasted this long working with her when she wouldn’t listen to anything he said. Having her mom come live with her isn’t going to solve much, and I suspect that Deacon won’t stick by her forever, even more so if the irresistible Rayna comes calling once again. Scarlett’s strict policy about harboring fugitives seemed oddly procedural and stringent, but it looks like she’s let up just enough to allow Jason to cause them some real hurt. Nothing good can come from Hailey trying to sign Avery, both for him and, more importantly for us, for Scarlett and Gunnar. Watching him realize that this business isn’t what he thought is tough, but it’s also still hard to feel bad for him considering the way in which he continues to behave.

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.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 11 “You Win Again” (B)

This episode was heavily sensational, but it’s hard not to be drawn in by the utter soapy quality of this show. Rayna and Juliette sharing a plane and trading insults makes for devilishly enjoyable entertainment, made more serious and hurtful due to Rayna’s marriage problems and Juliette’s mother issues. Teddy, to his credit, seems to be really trying, but Rayna doesn’t want to have anything to do with a guy who has proven himself more reliable and faithful to her than the guitarist she still idolizes as her partner. After nearly spiraling out of control, Deacon achieved a stunning moment of revenge when Rayna asked, dumbfounded, if her manager had hired Deacon without telling her, only to discover that he was there for Juliette and not for her. That’s just going to make things on the tour crazier, which makes everything more fun for those of us watching at home. It was pathetic to see Avery embarrass himself with his introduction to Juliette, and I thought that he was going to be the victim of a car accident, but I suppose that seeing everyone who used to care about him happy without him is a far more bitter fate. Let’s hope that Gunnar doesn’t get caught up with any legal trouble, especially since he got his guitar back and his brother should now be out of his life for good. This show is now at what should be its first season halfway point, and I’m eager to see where it’s headed next.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 10 “I’m Sorry for You, My Friend” (B)

This show has always been more than a little bit sensational, and that’s starting to take it over as things get out of control on a number of fronts. It was obvious that Deacon would part with his band at some point, and having the jealous frontman try to have his way with Scarlett definitely sealed the deal. Liam did a good job stepping in for Rayna’s departed guitarist, despite his point about not being able to turn into Deacon, but I think that it will be good for Deacon to reconnect with the tour, as long as he doesn’t come in between Rayna and Juliette romantically. Juliette’s attitude towards Sean is simply cruel, and pushing for a divorce rather than an annulment is an unnecessary manipulative move on her part. It’s not surprising given what we know about her, but it’s hardly a positive choice. I thought she was going to fly off and not come back for the concert after Sonny laid down on the floor, and it was a relief to see her return in time. Teddy winning the election makes sense given that he’s been a much more prominent character than Coleman, and it will give him something to do. Lamar may have denied buying votes to Tandy, but I’m sure that’s something that will come back to haunt all of them at some time in the future. There is no circumstance under which it’s a good idea for Peggy and Teddy to see each other, no matter how depressed Teddy might be by hearing Coleman say on television that nothing would matter if he didn’t have his wife to come home to.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 9 “Be Careful of Stones That You Throw” (B+)

This episode was full of major developments just right for coming back from a several-week hiatus. Juliette’s proposal apparently resulted in some rather immediate action, which caused a great amount of stress for Sean’s parents and seems to have caused her to reconsider whether having sex with her boyfriend was worth eloping and consigning herself to a life of sitting on the couch cuddling while watching football plays via tablet. It was obvious even before Sean was seen waiting patiently for his bride to show up that Juliette wasn’t going to show up, and seeing her board the plane instead of walking into the ceremony made it abundantly clear that this just isn’t the life for her. Rayna going on tour right away and trying to take her kids with her resulted in the first noble move from Teddy in a while, standing firmly by his wife when he found out exactly how Lamar had threatened her to try to get her to give up her plan. The unknown father would have to be Deacon, and I’m sure that’s something we’ll hear about again eventually. Deacon is enjoying plenty of success with his new gig, but I think the pull of more than one woman in Nashville will bring him back home sooner rather than later. Avery managed to evoke slight sympathy for himself for a moment, and then watching him interact with both his band and with Scarlett quickly negated that. It was refreshing to see Scarlett rock out with his band, and I’m glad that she and Gunnar have made up since it’s about time that someone other than Avery achieved some success.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 8 “Where He Leads Me” (B+)

Against all odds, it’s looking like a joint tour with Rayna and Juliette may actually be the best thing for both of them giving their rollercoaster family lives. It didn’t take long for Coleman to leak the photos of Teddy and Peggy, even after Rayna paid him a visit to ream him out for stooping to such a level. Peggy’s overdose doesn’t make things look good at all, but, though she disapproves of what Teddy did and will likely never forgive him, Rayna did help him out considerably by standing by him and defending his character to the public. Juliette got a taste of familial bliss by spending what seemed like a lovely Christian weekend with Sean, and it was brutal to hear his mother express her extreme disapproval for Juliette and her assurance that Juliette would never have an easy time being accepted into the family. Proposing to Sean was a shocking and bold move, and something tells me that this rather new romance isn’t going to last quite as superbly as Juliette might think. Deacon didn’t deserve Juliette’s harsh rebuke for trying to get her a message from her mother, and it seems that, in her time of need, Rayna has come to depend on Deacon again. Gunnar’s breakup with Haley was inevitable, and it looks like winning Scarlett’s heart may be more difficult than he thought. It’s hard to feel bad for Avery because of how he treated Scarlett, but at least he’s trying to stick by his friend.

What I’m Watching: Nashville

Nashville: Season 1, Episode 7 “Lovesick Blues” (B+)

We’ve been waiting for this since the very start of the show, and the inevitable collaboration between Rayna and Juliette didn’t disappoint. They both express such contempt and disrespect for each other that it’s hard to believe that they managed to pull off their show-stopping number. Putting Deacon in the middle of them didn’t much help since their childishness simply got him angry, and adding Liam to the mix isn’t productive either. It’s no surprise that Juliette tried to push Sean away after she found out that she was being referred to as his Kryptonite, and it’s a good thing that he’s a stand-up guy, not eager to have sex but plenty happy to romance Juliette and serve as the one person making her feel good about herself. Coleman calling Teddy to tell him that he’s going to leak the photos if he doesn’t drop out of the race was somewhat crude but arguably better than just leaking the information, and I suspect that Lamar is going to swoop in to help with damage control, and that Peggy is going to make things exponentially problematic. It’s nice to see Hailey taking such an active interest in helping Scarlett to get back on track, even if her motives are business-related. Gunnar, on the other hand, is being all too obvious about his affection for her, and he’s going to need to admit the truth to Hailey soon if he doesn’t want to ruin his industry chances for good. Without Scarlett by his side, Avery seems to be doing quite well, and let’s hope that she doesn’t get enchanted by his newfound success and run back to him.