Midru

I hope somebody likes this clip as much as I do! Connie Britton (and another Nashville cast member) on the real magic behind that incredible head of hair. http://www.upworthy.com/what-do-connie-brittons-hair-and-womens-equality-have-in-common-everything?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+upworthy+%28Upworthy%29

Well they went full soap tonight. Gunnar and Scarlett kissing, Teddy arrested, Juliette's new album, label change, and monster-Mom, Will finally coming out, and ending with the "bad news" that I bet anything is Beverly dies. OMG, Avery now is like a battered wife, crying in all his scenes, clutching his baby in fear. Is this the same jerk who was mean to Scarlett and ditched his bandmates so he could Make It? Where's his apron and curlers? ETA totally agree Bev dies. Too bad- it would be real fun if she moved into Rayna's mansion, a constant thorn in the side of everyone except maybe her nieces.

If only they kept Teddy as background Dad, it would be fine. If they need more storylines for him, he could date Emily or some other female on the show. Beverly definitely abused Scarlett. I didn't say abused because I figured perhaps baby Scarlett was only neglected, and didn't get hit until she could talk. But that's all me guessing. Interesting that, there but for the grace of God, Juliette could easily be a Beverly-type abuser. She still could be, of course, but I doubt the writers would have her be that evil.

That CGI beach scene was tacky, but I don't mind as long as they use the money to hire writers who can keep track of their own stories and characters. I may be the only one to say this, but Beverly was really humanized for me last week. Especially the flashback scenes. It felt like one of those superhero shows, where you see the moment a good person turns evil. Beverly was probably always selfish. But all artists have egos, they all think they should be stars whether they make it or not, many many are obsessed about it. I can see that this brother-sister team meant everything to her. Then Rayna comes along. Rayna not only is more successful, she also took her brother and musical partner, then on top of that the humiliation of now working for the same person who has already diminished her life so profoundly? And she made the wrong call. She should have swallowed her pride but didn't. And probably too proud to go back and apologize to Rayna or Deacon, and let that pride destroy everything. She obviously turned that self-hate against Scarlett. I think there is a hell of a tragedy there if they wanted to explore it further. But she will probably die after donating her liver. BTW I doubt Deacon would care next year if he found out Rayna offered the money. Scarlett today is about twenty six (I think she said she was 24 in the first season somewhere). I am thinking there should be a little neglected baby in that flashback scene!

How did they make Deacon and the sister look so young in those flashbacks? I guess she will donate the liver, but it's been fun guessing who Deacon's miracle cure might come from. Caleb is too good to be true. I am now waiting for something terrible about him or to happen to him. I am trying now to remember why Juliette had this baby, if the pregnancy was planned. She doesn't seem to want to be a mom now. Is Maddie in 8th grade? 9th? I would really think she would get a more serious reaction than she got for getting naked with Colt. I think it is cute that she and Colt almost seem to be True Love down the line. Teddy, I so don't care. Just be a good dad and Rayna's beta male. Jeff, I am really starting to think that actor is just a piece of wood. He always has a wooden expression, kind of pissed off, and always just kind of barks his lines. Loving Layla more and more. Gunnar's girlfriend, I wish she would go away.

The big problem is that Juliette as a mom equals boring stories. She needs to be interacting with adults, not trying (and probably failing) to be a good mom. Don't take the best character on the show and isolate her from anyone she can interact with. Boring!

I would like this to be true. But to my mind this gives the writers way too much credit. This still amazes me, too. I think of, for example, several wasted scenes with Juliette in recent episodes where they could easily have set up the current drama, but didn't. It can really drive you crazy just how poorly the show is written. But there are still appealing characters and great songs! And a similar thing happened, but faster, with Luke. I don't know how much is a redemption arc and how much is the writers are all over the place, and all characters are subject to major changes at any time. I also was very happy the doctor was ethical with Scarlett. Too bad she is destined to end up with Gunnar. I have to say I absolutely believe the writers have been setting up Gunnar and Scarlett as the next generation's Rayna and Deacon. Funny how Scarlett and Avery's past is never part of the story, even though he went to with her a lot longer than Gunnar did, and moved to Nashville together, and isn't that much earlier than Gunnar's relationship.

Things I loved about tonights episode: 1. The moment that I realized Christina Aguilera can really act, and that I really am rooting for her character. 2. Daphne got her moment. And she was so awesome! Not only did she sing great, she has an effortless charm that is warmer and more direct than her big sis. She's not overshadowed anymore! 3. Avery's speech to Juliette was so spot on. You tell her, Avery! Funny thing I wondered as they made up: have we ever seen those two in a proper romantic kiss? Deacon and Rayna get a couple each episode it seems. 4. Also really liked the Luke Wheeler song Jade St James covered. ETA I still think of Gunnar as a good guy, and IMO he is still Scarlett's true love!

One thing I know is missing: fun side characters. Emily, Glen, Bucky, Will's new boyfriend- all have such bland personalities they are a wasted opportunity. Cookie's assistant in Empire has very few lines but is hilarious!

I don't mind Gunnar the Creep so much, mostly because since the first episode we have been trained to think of him and Scarlett as endgame. So I think we are supposed to find it cute, or at least interesting, the way Gunnar is behaving as he negotiates the hundredth obstacle the writers have put in the way of what we expect to be True Love. Will tonight, (for the first time ever?) was an open, honest vulnerable person who really showed his feelings. I really am enjoying his storyline, and wonder if this is paving the way for him to come out in a few episodes. Did anyone else breathe a huge sigh of relief that Rayna and Deacon stayed a solid couple, with no relationship drama? I will be so excited to have a few more episodes of them as a team, together, facing their problems as a unit. Avery, it finally happened! I may be the one person who is totally unmoved by his higher-than-angels feminine voice and the songs that it sings. But tonight I loved his voice and song. Rock out Avery, it suits you. In Season Two Maddie started getting her own storylines. I hope Season Four we get some Daphne specific storylines!

I am looking forward to Christina Agulera's character. Between breaking Jeff's heart and getting Juliette all riled up, she is two for two already! Juliette as a Mom does not look fun, nor does Avery as a henpecked husband/martyr father. I really would like to see the Triple Exes stay together, as those three do have a chemistry in their scenes. Gunnar alone with Scarlett is so boring now. He and Dr. Boring can come back when they have something interesting to do. Luke just continues to grow on me. He is now one of my favorite characters. The guy has guts and integrity and solid morals, at least for the last several episodes. He deserves some sexy time with Jill St James (or whatever her name is!)

100% agree. This is not a crime worth all this coverup. It is part of the writing of this show, where they can't figure out how to write coherent storylines or consistent characters. Juliette's scenes were horrible. I know some loved her line about somebody choosing to shoot someone on her special day, but to me that line is flat out unbelievable- when someone you know just shot her husband.

I used to love Gunnar but even I am getting a little tired of his neurotic dating style. Juliette's baby, please die already! I don't like any of the names, either. Jolene or something more traditional I would be okay with, if we have to keep hearing about it. But I see that baby as a big drag on Juliette's awesomeness. If the last few weeks is any indication, mommy/baby storylines could really ruin her entire character. I don't have a problem with Maddie. She's a kid, she's been through several ringers the last two years. Bratty is normal sometimes, especially given what she's been through. I love Teddy the Dad, Teddy the beta male husband, Teddy the second choice. I wish so much he could just be that guy. I hate Teddy the Mayor, Teddy the Schemer. That's why I was so glad at the end when we got a flash of the old Teddy, who cared about his family more than anything. Bucky, I guess I don't know what happened there. He didn't push to have first dibs on that artist, as was his perogative. That was definitely weak, but I didn't see it as a betrayal of Rayna, more a failure to stand up to Luke. Maybe I missed something between him and Rayna about the right kind of artists for her label? Here's a nit I've been dying to pick- what's up with Deacon and his guitar strap with his name on it? Nobody over 8 years old would choose that for a guitar strap. It is so hokey and dumb and a cool guy like Deacon, I don't think, would EVER have a guitar strap with just his name on it like his is. It's the only guitar strap he ever plays with, though I think the guitars change underneath the strap.

Pardon this, but I hope something terrible happens to that baby. Pregnant Juliette, off by herself or Avery, is boring. Same I imagine with a baby. She used to be the most fascinating character on the show. But that's when she was working, scheming, interacting with adults. Juliette preoccupied with a baby, or just her and Avery, suddenly the best part of the show sounds like a real drag.

Juliette for a couple episodes has been strangely boring to me. The cutesy stuff with Avery has been falling flat, and her huge tantrum tonight- for once ever with Hayden, I wasn't sold on her performance. That said, she deserves to have Glen and Emily ditch her whenever they feel like. She doesn't deserve them. (PS I have lost my crush on Emily. She is just too perfect and beautiful to be a harried assistant.) Nice to have a whole episode of Rayna/Deacon togetherness! Teddy and the skank- yawn. Blackmailing the politician guy- double yawn. I like the new guy! Somehow I am now also a fan of Luke, despite being convinced he was Evil for a good long time.