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.

It seems like forever since the last episode. I may rewatch the previous one just so I can remember where all the story threads are now!

The one thing I don't understand about Connie Britton (and I totally agree with those who think she should have been there) is this: This is Season 3. Maybe at first her insecurities with her voice were understandable. But as producer and star of the show, she should be working on her voice to improve it. Two and a half year into the show, if she was working on her voice it would be a lot stronger than when she started. It seems like she has been content to let her voice stay weak. While being the star and producer of the show. If you had a job that paid you millions and you had only one weak link, wouldn't you be working constantly to shore it up and turn it into a strength? Almost everybody would make that a top priority. I don't know for sure, but it really seems like she has been content to stay a weak singer. Which bugs me.

Having now watched all of Empire, I feel better able to comment. Who knows if they can keep it up, but it really is pretty exciting and fun to watch. Empire has a couple of advantages, I think. First, the narrative structure, focused on one family and the larger arc of who will take over the Empire, is very strong. Second, the way they portray the people, is what really sticks with me. Nashville people are all kind of fake nice, or the producers are that way about the characters. Rayna has to be a saint, everyone is basically a wonderful person. Even Luke isn't evil, apparently. Only Jeff, and he is basically a cartoon. Empire lets people be imperfect and be forgiven, or act brutish but still be perfectly justified. And maybe Nashville is a little embarrassed to be a soap, or pretends to be something it's not, while Empire embraces its tropes and takes them to new, fun places. I don't know if this counts, but one thing I like about Empire is you pretty much know where every character stands in every situation.

With the runaway success of Empire, in many ways a New York version of Nashville, it made me think of what Nashville is, and could be. Empire, more than anything, just seems to feel more real than Nashville. I don't know, that's my best stab at the difference. What do you think?

This episode seemed totally dominated by stoic Deacon and evil Jeff. Jeff was such a cartoon, abusing that poor assistant. He practically cackled when he handed Teddy the pen. I would think/hope Teddy doesn't sign regardless. And Deacon is a cartoon the other way. Last episode he's beating guys up, now he's having seizures and given up for dead. And he never ever has a normal moment of weakness. Nobody is that selfless and well-adjusted! Loved the Deacon/Beverly song Hated the Real Life song

It is just me, or does the music seem to matter less on the show this season? There have been a bunch of good songs, to be sure, but the first several episodes especially it seemed that the music has really taken a back seat.

Funny how after two and a half seasons I don't notice her clothes anymore and barely notice her hair. All I can remember about her hair recently is that I don't like it! And the squirrelly thing is still there, but like other details I now just accept them as part of the character. I really like her with Deacon, and wished they did more with her Zoey friendship. I don't really like her with Avery or Gunnar. I would love to see her befriend Maddie, or even better, Daphne. She seems about on Daphne's emotional level!

Kiley's parents, give me a break. Their only connection to this child is through their daughter, who is a repeat child abuser (neglect is the most common form of abuse) who is also a dishonorable person. So the parents can't have too much class if that's what they raised. The daughters wanting to go to school so they can have a horse? Wtf-ever! Yeah, I don't care about my house or my school or my friends or my three dads, or the fact that I probably have all the horseback riding lessons I want now... Is that really all we get out of Luke? He's not really evil, after all? Turns out the actress who plays Emily is some cheerleader/TV hostess beauty queen. She's really too pretty to be the girl next door type we thought she was. From the beginning I didn't think the baby would get born, but now I am not so sure. My biggest Christmas wish for the show, while also being realistic, is more screen time for Juliette. She is the only one who remains compelling no matter what they write for her. ETA in no way do I believe Deacon will get cancer, or cirrhosis, or anything life-damaging. He'll just be a pretty patient like Rayna was to start season 2.

Well, I think the writers of this show are incompetent, and the way they did it was half-assed. But in the bigger picture, going forward, they have cleared the way for Avery/Juliette, Gunnar/Scarlett, and Rayna/Deacon to all be together. It's a chance for them to hit the reset button on the entire show. And as someone who is still a fan, I am hoping they make the most of this chance they've given themselves.

Something I just noticed... In seemingly one fell swoop, the writers have cleared the way for all three endgame couples... Javery can have their tiny baby together. Rayna can nurse Deacon back to health. Gunlett can make beautiful music together, in and out of the studio. I have to say this looks like a possible smart set of moves by the writers.