S03.E08: You're Lookin' At Country

[Sutton]

There are so many characters with so many stories going on that it's getting really tough trying to figure out from episode to episode what's happening. I had thought at the beginning of Nashville that Callie was going to write a strong woman in Rayna but I was so wrong. Another poster said that Callie doesn't write strong women (I think that's what she said) then why did she start off with Rayna Jaymes, challenging the head of Edgehill, kiss my ass as I walk out door, that's the person we routed for in Season 1. Determined to start her own Label Highway 65, be her own boss, get into the music business run solely by men, but now has attach herself to a man who now says the only reason your album went gold is because of announcing our engagement. I can't believe she doesn't hear his comments, on why she won the awards, saying it's because of me, but she doesn't do anything about it but forgive the big jerk. What happened to that strong, determinded, gutsy woman. I've said this before, why on earth would this series make the fans, get to a point of disliking, even hating Rayna (once you (me) hate the main character it's hard going back to liking them) unless Rayna is going to have this big rude awakening before everything tanks.

 

I use to look forward watching Nashville every Wednesday night, now I record it and FF through the parts I don't want to watch.

 

[purplemonkey]

I am so eager for Ruke to break up that I really thought the Sadie ex-BF drama's sole purpose was to illustrate to Luke that like many songs are about exes, this equals Rayna thinks of Deacon 24/7. I guess I'm just not that into Sadie and her scene.

And speaking of hot Deacon, did anyone else feel kind of confused and tingly when Scarlett put her head on his chest as the CMAs wore on? Just me, then?

So wouldn't Jeff blackmailing Teddy work a lot better if the hooker wasn't so interested in Teddy? If it was just a one night stand, then she could be in cahoots with Jeff, but if she really likes Teddy she wouldn't want to hurt him. Unless... Is this a long con? And the reason for this blackmail is so that Jeff can sign Daphne and Maddie to his label?? I can't imagine how much dirt would have to be at stake for Rayna and Teddy (and Deacon, for that matter) to agree to the girls signing with Edgehill. Someone help me out with this one. What the heck is Jeff doing?

[pattycat]

I don't believe, for a second, that Rayna and Deacons relationship was physically abusive.

For two full seasons, there was never a hint of that. Rayna has never said there was physical abuse. Tandy or Lamar never hinted that, she had been physically abused, and how could she even think of going back to him, and you know they would have!

As much as Deacon has always loved Rayna, no matter how drunk he was, I don't believe he would ever have intentionally, physically harmed her.

That brief scene at the beginning of this Season, wasnt Deacon, choosing to Hit Rayna. He was drunk, she was trying to rouse him from a deep sleep. He pulled his arm back to try and get away from her. Anyone might do that, stone sober, if they're a heavy sleeper. Be careful how you wake people up!

In my wildest dreams, whatever her faults, I don't think Rayna would have stayed in an abusive relationship, never mind staying for 11 years.

If there had been abuse, would Rayna, free of the relationship,married to Teddy, have quickly brought Deacon, back into her band, as her band leader?.

Most of all, would she have encouraged an Uncle Deacon relationship, with her Daughter's, and be so supportive of his developing relationship with Maddie?

I really think that little snippet in 3-1 was another attempt to get viewers, to be more sympathetic, with her picking Luke. Even though nothing was ever developed further, I thought it was tacky.

Edited November 24, 2014 by pattycat

[Sutton]

All cell phones now have cameras, I just hope someone backstage had one and took a picture of the mayor having sex with a known prostitute. Sold it to one of the tabloids for lots of money. Made it on the front page, Mayor having sex with prostitute at the CMA awards.

[Muffyn]

I don't believe, for a second, that Rayna and Deacons relationship was physically abusive.

For two full seasons, there was never a hint of that. Rayna has never said there was physical abuse. Tandy or Lamar never hinted that, she had been physically abused, and how could she even think of going back to him, and you know they would have!

As much as Deacon has always loved Rayna, no matter how drunk he was, I don't believe he would ever have intentionally, physically harmed her.

That brief scene at the beginning of this Season, wasnt Deacon, choosing to Hit Rayna. He was drunk, she was trying to rouse him from a deep sleep. He pulled his arm back to try and get away from her. Anyone might do that, stone sober, if they're a heavy sleeper. Be careful how you wake people up!

In my wildest dreams, whatever her faults, I don't think Rayna would have stayed in an abusive relationship, never mind staying for 11 years.

If there had been abuse, would Rayna, free of the relationship,married to Teddy, have quickly brought Deacon, back into her band, as her band leader?.

Most of all, would she have encouraged an Uncle Deacon relationship, with her Daughter's, and be so supportive of his developing relationship with Maddie?

I really think that little snippet in 3-1 was another attempt to get viewers, to be more sympathetic, with her picking Luke. Even though nothing was ever developed further, I thought it was tacky.

Having once punched an ex repeatedly in the face while I was asleep, I certainly get this,  There is a big difference between intentionally hurting someone and not even consciously doing so.  I agree, if Deacon was dangerous, Rayna wouldn't let him spend time alone with Maddie.  I can see her looking back to their past and worrying that he'll go back to drinking and therefore be reticent to have a romantic relationship with him.  

[MisterS]

I enjoyed this episode particularly because it was nice to see Luke becoming a proper nasty piece of work and Rayna having to actually react to stuff. Why they couldn't do this a season ago I have no idea. It was a huge mistake to keep Rayna and Deacon apart - that is, without any scenes together rather than necessarily together in a relationship. They were in some of the best parts of season 1 so why keep them apart for the next two seasons?

I seriously think that the writers don't know what they are doing on this show and it's such a waste of potential. Crazily, I am still watching to see if things improve although I am so uninvested in many storylines that I don't know if it's worth it. Also the music isn't great this season either - in season 2 it was the saving grace. Without it Nashville is like a mediocre daytime soap.

As for Gunnar's non-son: my six year old would show more common sense and I am certain that my 10 year old would be able to find his way to the toilet and back and would let an adult know where he was going. And the child can't act. AND, while I am indifferent to Zoe, why would Gunnar all of a sudden start treating her like his unpaid childminder? He's never been this kind of a***hole before. Again, lazy writing oblivious to character for plot convenience.

It's the same with Teddy. He's good looking and successful and a public figure. Why on earth would he be knowingly screwing a prostitute? Are there no other women out there? And backstage at the CMAs? For crying out loud, he's the mayor! Again, it can only be a fatuous device to further the plot about Jeff blackmailing him to get his daughters to Edgehill. I could write better story arcs.

But again, I'm still watching. I loved Deacon and Scarlett watching at home and the contrast between their support for Rayna and Luke being so jealous. Also quite liked Will and Layla this week.

But overall, if I'm objective about it, it's quite a mess. Could be so much better.

[MisterS]

Oh, and I love Juliette and Avery. It's kind of obvious where it's all going and easy to see Avery's dad was going to be a critical SOB but it was well scripted and acted so who cares? I can live with obvious, just not with bad writing and poor characterisation. I wish the writers would take note.

[slade3]

I enjoyed this episode particularly because it was nice to see Luke becoming a proper nasty piece of work and Rayna having to actually react to stuff. Why they couldn't do this a season ago I have no idea. It was a huge mistake to keep Rayna and Deacon apart - that is, without any scenes together rather than necessarily together in a relationship. They were in some of the best parts of season 1 so why keep them apart for the next two seasons?

I think a lot of shows have made the mistake of keeping popular couples apart. Possibly because they fear the couple will become boring. Or because it's more interesting/dramatic to write flirtation/unresolved sexual tension.

 

I tend to enjoy UST in my shows, but I lose interest when the writers seem to be working hard to keep a couple apart and that separation no longer seems organic. Luke and Rayna don't work. Deacon and the 3 or 4 women he's dated since season 1 don't work. The writers had so many ways to keep Deacon and Rayna together without making them an official couple: the Music, Maddie, Rayna adding Deacon to her new label, Scarlett's breakdown. That's 3 - 4 seasons of drama right there.

 

I feel the mistake here has been deciding there must be love and sex while the writers decide if/when/how to bring Deacon and Rayna together. Better writers would have figured out viewers don't need that. The music and family dynamics were enough. (I don't regret Liam and Rayna though.)

 

I've mentioned Men in Trees with Anne Heche and James Tupper here. They were a great "couple", but the writers decided to bring in Tupper's character's estranged wife so the couple we were all rooting for stopped having scenes together and the show was canceled. I was relieved when The Mindy Project writers chose to make Mindy and Danny a couple. It's a challenge to keep the drama going when they finally get together, but it can be done.

[MisterS]

I think a lot of shows have made the mistake of keeping popular couples apart. Possibly because they fear the couple will become boring. Or because it's more interesting/dramatic to write flirtation/unresolved sexual tension.

 

I tend to enjoy UST in my shows, but I lose interest when the writers seem to be working hard to keep a couple apart and that separation no longer seems organic. Luke and Rayna don't work. Deacon and the 3 or 4 women he's dated since season 1 don't work. The writers had so many ways to keep Deacon and Rayna together without making them an official couple: the Music, Maddie, Rayna adding Deacon to her new label, Scarlett's breakdown. That's 3 - 4 seasons of drama right there.

 

I feel the mistake here has been deciding there must be love and sex while the writers decide if/when/how to bring Deacon and Rayna together. Better writers would have figured out viewers don't need that. The music and family dynamics were enough. (I don't regret Liam and Rayna though.)

 

 

I so agree with all of this. One thing is certain - If you don't give a couple screen time together then you lose the flirtation and sexual tension anyway.  The writers could have had Deacon and Rayna engaging with each other without getting back together right away. They have a child together and there are so many paths they could have taken, as you say.  Unfortunately the writers haven't given themselves time to do that because of the high number of superfluous/underdeveloped characters, unfinished story lines and boring secondary love interests, not only for R and D but others e.g. Gunnar.  Although they could have done a lot more with Zoe if they'd bothered to give her a story that went somewhere. I think all along it's been the writing that isn't up to scratch. But I am still invested, can't always figure out why.

 

I also had no problem with Liam and Rayna.  It worked.

Edited November 24, 2014 by MisterS

[Sandman]

Layla was emotionally abused by Will in the worst way.

 

She really, really wasn't.

[smiley13]

She really, really wasn't.

To have someone tell you they love you, ask you to marry them, then announce they really play for the other team is cruel and extremely emotionally abusive.  I am no fan of Layla, but Will has treated her terribly.   I doubt the girl ever recovers from that sort of betrayal.  Plus, since he has been married to her, he has cheated on her with other men.

I don't believe, for a second, that Rayna and Deacons relationship was physically abusive.

For two full seasons, there was never a hint of that. Rayna has never said there was physical abuse.

Abuse is not just physical.  Deacon emotionally abused her for years by saying her loved her and that he would clean himself up, only to end up drunk again.  He lied to her for years.  Wasn't it said that it took him five trips to rehab to finally get clean and then it still didn't last.  Drunk Deacon has been shown to have a nasty temper.

[madam magpie]

To have someone tell you they love you, ask you to marry them, then announce they really play for the other team is cruel and extremely emotionally abusive. I am no fan of Layla, but Will has treated her terribly. I doubt the girl ever recovers from that sort of betrayal. Plus, since he has been married to her, he has cheated on her with other men.

Abuse is not just physical. Deacon emotionally abused her for years by saying her loved her and that he would clean himself up, only to end up drunk again. He lied to her for years. Wasn't it said that it took him five trips to rehab to finally get clean and then it still didn't last. Drunk Deacon has been shown to have a nasty temper.

Will lied to Layla. He has also cheated on her. That's lying and cheating, not emotional abuse. Deacon and Rayna did have a very dysfunctional relationship on many levels. But fighting and screaming and accidentally hitting someone aren't inherently abuse. It's volatile and unhealthy, but people get involved in unhealthy relationships for all kinds of reasons, and abuse is a whole other level. Neither Will nor Deacon was demeaning, they didn't threaten to get these women to stay, and they didn't try to restrict their movement, thinking, or support systems. And in fact, in many ways, both men are incredibly supportive of and champion the women in question. Everyone in a lousy or screwy or confusing situation isn't being abused, and we invalidate the ones who are by assigning the term to everything that looks unpleasant. Edited November 24, 2014 by madam magpie

[airwair]

First off, I agree with Madam Magpie 100% re: te abuse.

Second, I don't think the hookers storyline is so unbelievable. It's not even that Teddy can't find someone else, I just think it's a power/attention/ego thing, which is common among politicians.

Eliot Spitzer, anyone?

[Sandman]

I, too, would make a distinction between lying and cheating (which Will did) and emotional abuse. He behaved irresponsibly; the effect of his behaviour was destructive. But abuse is the intentional infliction of harm. He should have been more careful with her feelings, and certainly more honest with her, as well as with himself. But he did not marry her with the intent of destroying her happiness or her belief in herself. 

 

I would argue that her response (at least originally) to blackmail him to make him do what she wanted was far more reprehensible than his reckless attempt to "go straight." 

[MisterS]

Second, I don't think the hookers storyline is so unbelievable. It's not even that Teddy can't find someone else, I just think it's a power/attention/ego thing, which is common among politicians.

Eliot Spitzer, anyone?

I see the point about sex and power, but it just doesn't seem very like Teddy to go down this route. The implication has been (see the cheese lady that he met in a bar in a previous episode) that he is incapable of picking up or dating anyone else. Given that he's always been portrayed as conservative I just can't see him taking a risk like screwing an escort backstage at a major event (it wasn't clear to me where they were supposed to be but it didn't look very private). But of course dull, conservative Teddy doesn't make for very interesting TV so he needed a storyline from somewhere. But, to me, it's unconvincing, and I expect the writers dreamed it up as something with which Jeff could blackmail him later, regardless of whether it was in character or not.

[shron17]

I, too, would make a distinction between lying and cheating (which Will did) and emotional abuse. He behaved irresponsibly; the effect of his behaviour was destructive.

 

I agree. Now if Will hadn't come clean and instead tried to manipulate Layla to believe it was all in her head in order to protect his secret, it could have easily escalated into emotional abuse. 

 

I see the point about sex and power, but it just doesn't seem very like Teddy to go down this route. The implication has been (see the cheese lady that he met in a bar in a previous episode) that he is incapable of picking up or dating anyone else.

 

I was confused about that scene and am wondering now if the point was Teddy assumed an attractive woman alone in a bar on her own was an escort trolling for new customers, and that he wouldn't have been tempted until he experienced it. Jeff may offer her a big payoff if she helps get Teddy to sign a contract. I see what you're saying about it not seeming like Teddy, but it can't be fun for him seeing all the fuss about Ruke's wedding. After the divorce Teddy moved on first; now he's seeing how if feels when the shoe's on the other foot.

 

And of course Juliette can never win.  But wasn't her song an FU to the industry?

It was an FU to the radio stations/venues/fans who trashed her because of a stupid religious controversy that was basically entirely fabricated wasnt it? It was still an incredible song either way

 

But she premiered it at her induction ceremony into the Grand Old Opry--I would imagine that's what didn't sit well with the country music people.

Edited November 24, 2014 by shron17

[dcalley]

Sadie is useless IMO.  It has been obvious to me that she is up to no good and this week's interactions with Luke only support that.  Who cares that her ex husband sent her a text.  Can't see what the big deal is with that and it hardly makes him a stalker.  If she was that worried about him, she could have gotten a new phone number.  Maybe she was the one who screwed him over, but he still loves her.

She said she didn't know how he got her number.

[Clemgo3165]

 

Given that he's always been portrayed as conservative I just can't see him taking a risk like screwing an escort backstage at a major event (it wasn't clear to me where they were supposed to be but it didn't look very private). But of course dull, conservative Teddy doesn't make for very interesting TV so he needed a storyline from somewhere.

 

I think we have seen it actually. This is the same guy who embezzled funds from his company, cheated on his wife with Pig Blood Peggy, and watched while his children's grandfather died on his office floor. While Teddy has been the stay-at-home steady for the girls, he's not a saint by any stretch of the imagination.

[madam magpie]

And he's reckless. I mean, he was meeting up with Pig Blood Peggy all over the city and he let his ex father-in-law die on his office floor. He's got that mix of arrogant and stupid that so many politicians have. I'm really hoping it brings him down.

[Sandman]

I keep thinking of Carrie whenever I read a reference to "Pig Blood Peggy" -- must be me, but it makes for some weird Sissy Spacek crossover ideas in my head. Like a telekinetic version of Coal Miner's Daughter, or something. Heh. Or Carrie Underwood finally snaps at the CMAs, and makes Jeff Fordham dance a puppet-tango with Brad Paisley.

 

Sorry. As you were.

Edited November 24, 2014 by Sandman

[pattycat]

Does anybody else think that, right before they killed her off, Peggy was beginning to seem much saner☺?

Edited November 24, 2014 by pattycat

[mousegirl]

Here's what went through my head last night before I dropped off to sleep.  Please  bear in mind that I'm a newcomer to the show, and know little about S1 and S2.

 

Maybe all the unreality in the current storylines is because....Rayna is dreaming all this while still in her coma.  

 

I know, crazy-thinking, right?  That's what this show has done to me in the last eight weeks.  But I'm having fun with the idea, anyway.  It sure would explain the illogical timelines, inconsistent character arcs, microwave-fast scene changes, and the alien, pod-people like Micah, Kiley, Zoey (current verison - don't know what she was like in seasons past), and others.  I've had these kinds of dreamscapes when I've been sick, or just plain exhausted.  

 

So writers/producers/directors etc, if you want a way to pull yourselves out of the hot mess this show has become, why not do a "Dallas" on season 3?  It was all a bad dream Rayna had while unconscious in the hospital - but having it taught her so much about her heart, her career direction, her life purpose, her kids, yadda, yadda.  She awakes, recovers, and  it's a new day and a new way to tell her story!  

 

Aha, you say - can't do that, it's been done?  Who cares?  You've pulled out so many soap-opera cliches already, one more won't hurt, for God's sake.  If it gets this show back to what I've heard it was in season 1, you'll be forgiven, I promise.  

 

Oh, and one, personal, admittedly picayune request from me? PLEASE get Claire Bowen to stop MUMBLING and TALKING SO FAST.  

 

Thanks for listening.

Edited November 24, 2014 by mousegirl

[Sutton]

OMG, could there be a possibility of it happening, Rayna waking up from being in a coma, all of Season 2, part of Season 3 in

this big mess and it being a horrible dream. I can only wish.

 

It sure would explain the illogical timelines, inconsistent characters arcs, microwave fast scene changes, and the alien pod-people like Micah, Kiley, Zoey (current version-don't know what she was like in seasons past) and others.

It was all a bad dream Rayna had while unconscious in the hospital - but having it taught her so much about her heart, her career direction, her life purpose, her kids, yadda, yadda. She awakes, recovers and it's a new day and a new way to tell her story.

 

Oh, please make it happen series writers then we can go back to the great beginning writing great episode like Season 1.

[SlovakPrincess]

I don't know that Rayna isn't a strong woman. She is still in control of her own career and life. She is just starting to realize that Luke is jealous, but as of yet she's not backing down to him, she's calling him on it and trying to figure out what his deal is.

[Sutton]

SovakPrincess - She hasn't shown any strong tendencies since Season 1. She doesn't have control of her career right now and I think LW would differ with your comment since he's has said her career is because she's now his fiance'. I don't think she realizes just how jealous he is of her career yet, but I'm assuming she's going to find out pretty soon. She's backing down because she heard him say your album only went gold because I proposed to you. She should have as one poster posted (kick him in the nuts) for that comment. The Rayna in Season 1 would have fighured LW out long before this. She figure out what a slim ball Jeff was after only one meeting. (Please let Season 2, part of Season 3 be a dream writers.)

[SlovakPrincess]

Just because Luke says she owes her current success to him doesn't make it so. And I don't think she believes it - when she gave her last acceptance speech saying "guys, we're not trying to take anything from you" I took that as a gentle reprimand to Luke for being threatened and petty. Too gentle, in my book, but it did seem to shut him up.

I don't think Rayna had to be perfect every minute to be considered strong. And she doesn't actually know how nasty Luke has been to Deacon a lot of the time. She is only just starting to see this side of Luke. And the fact is that she still supports her own family and runs her own company.

[romantic idiot]

I see the point about sex and power, but it just doesn't seem very like Teddy to go down this route. 

For me, the defining trait of Teddy's character is 'weakness' or 'insecurity'. He goes for the easy option every time, and he gives in to his fears, his ego, his baser instinct. Given that i'm not surprised by Teddy going after the escort at all. I do think it's stupid, but Teddy makes stupid decisions, often. Mostly because of his insecurities which make him need to have his ego appeased. 

 

SovakPrincess - She hasn't shown any strong tendencies since Season 1. She doesn't have control of her career right now and I think LW would differ with your comment since he's has said her career is because she's now his fiance'. 

 

Just because Luke thinks it doesn't make it true. She has set up and has been running her own label. She's been making sacrifices for what she wants to do and has stayed the course. She allowed Scarlett out of the contract when she needed it - that was compassion. She postponed running after Sadie, whom she needed because Scarlett and Juliette had let her down, when Juliette was unwell. Then she found a way to get Scarlett anyway. She's smart, savvy and she stands up for herself, even if she does it softly. I don't find her particularly weak myself. 

 

Now, does this mean that she must have the best romantic judgement always? For me it doesn't. But I can see where it might impact others. To be fair to Rayna though, they've been equals, and Rayna has been very clear to Luke in that. Luke's the one who thought he was "better'/'higher'/'bigger' and is having to adjust his thinking. She also gave him time to adjust, again showing kindness, patience and understanding. i don't think she's weak for doing that. Scarlett gave Avery the same chance when he screwed up her audition, and i didn't think badly of Scarlett then, and I don't think badly of Rayna now. Now, if this pattern keeps repeating and Rayna keeps having to give Luke chances, then I'll object. But I don't think Rayna tolerate it too many times, I think Deacon has already eaten up all the tolerance she'd have for repetitive stupidity. But we'll see. 

[madam magpie]

Now, if this pattern keeps repeating and Rayna keeps having to give Luke chances, then I'll object.

 

I feel like the pattern has been repeating, though. I mean, I've been bored by it for a long time. There was the whole "I'll see you when I see you" back in the middle of last season, when many of us thought (hoped) we were going to be rid of him. Then there was the "losing his shit because Rayna hadn't spilled her guts to him about Deacon." There was that fight at the miitary concert; I can't even remember what that was about. Then there was the fight last week about the Rolling Stone reporter, which I sided with Luke on and it makes me feel dirty, but it was still yet another of his attacks lobbed at Rayna. Then there was that time when the kids came out to see them on tour and Luke's response to Rayna being concerned about her daughters' well being was "they'll get used to it." I feel like I'm forgetting something else...Oh! The time he got mad at Rayna on the phone when she told him about Deacon telling Maddie that he'd proposed. What else?

 

Luke's been awful to Deacon and Rayna hasn't seen that, but he's been plenty awful to her as well. The fact that she can't grow a pair and tell him to get lost, or even tell him she can't spend her life with a guy who behaves like this, makes me angry. She does nothing but take him back. Every. Single. Time. But what makes me spit fire is that he flat-out told her she was nothing at the awards show, shouted at her that she was only successful because he'd been so kind as to offer to marry her and sing a song with her, and her response was to thank him, profess her love, and kiss him when they got home. I can't stand people who are that pathetic in their love lives and think so little of themselves, whether they run a business or not (and I'm still on the fence about whether or not Rayna actually "runs a business").

Edited November 25, 2014 by madam magpie

[Madding crowd]

I like Will, but I think a man who cheats on his wife over and over again, and expects her to live a lie to make his life easier can be called an emotional abuser. If lying and cheating don't qualify as emotional abuse, what does? They also have had many arguments and WIll can clearly see Layla is in love with him. They remain together to make Will's career work, their marriage hasn't done anything for Layla but make her look foolish in the home tv show. I don't even like her, but I think Will is treating her badly by keeping her as his beard, while he cheats on her at every turn.

 

I'm wishing they could cut out a lot of the characters so they could focus on Rayna, Juliette, Deacon and Scarlet and Gunnar. I love Scarlet and Gunnar's singing, so I could listen to a new song by them every week. Adding Sadie, Zoey, Micah etc. just brings the show down IMO, because there isn't enough time to devote to all their stories.

 

Poor Teddy just has to do something like fall in love with a hooker, because the writers don't know what to do with him otherwise. 

[madam magpie]

I like Will, but I think a man who cheats on his wife over and over again, and expects her to live a lie to make his life easier can be called an emotional abuser.

 

They're living a lie because they're being blackmailed by the reality show producer. They'd be getting divorced otherwise.

 

If lying and cheating don't qualify as emotional abuse, what does?

 

Repeatedly telling someone she's nothing, isolating her from her friends, threatening her, witholding money or other resources, etc. I don't see lying and cheating as abuse; they're unkind.

[shron17]

To be fair to Rayna though, they've been equals, and Rayna has been very clear to Luke in that. Luke's the one who thought he was "better'/'higher'/'bigger' and is having to adjust his thinking. She also gave him time to adjust, again showing kindness, patience and understanding. i don't think she's weak for doing that.

 

I agree with this and would add that Rayna has been shown to be incredibly loyal. She took Deacon back and believed he could change for years before she finally gave up, and stayed with Teddy and kept their secret for years as well.  Despite the fact that most viewers dislike Luke, Rayna thinks she loves him and accepted his proposal and I wouldn't expect her to show him any less loyalty.  Though her loyalty may be a little misguided this time, I still think it's a strong characteristic rather than a weak one.

 

But what makes me spit fire is that he flat-out told her she was nothing at the awards show, shouted at her that she was only successful because he'd been so kind as to offer to marry her and sing a song with her, and her response was to thank him, profess her love, and kiss him when they got home.

 

She turned and walked away as soon as he said that, and I think he got the message somewhat. An awards show like that where they both have so much at stake would be stressful, and if couples broke up every time someone said things they shouldn't most wouldn't even get started.  I'm thinking Luke was expecting Rayna to thank him every time she won and finally blew up after sitting there while she thanked everyone else, albeit those to whom she felt she owed her success. Now if she had thanked Luke first every time so he wouldn't be hurt because she knew her awards were really all about him, I would be right there with you calling Rayna pathetic.  And most of the professing of love and the kissing didn't happen until after he recanted and apologized.

 

when she gave her last acceptance speech saying "guys, we're not trying to take anything from you" I took that as a gentle reprimand to Luke for being threatened and petty. Too gentle, in my book, but it did seem to shut him up.

 

Definitely, and in public no less. Given the audience I think being gentle and taking the high road was probably the way to go. It's unlikely no one will make the connection that it was directed at Luke and speculate over why it was said.

Edited November 26, 2014 by shron17

[EyesGlazed]

I think a lot of shows have made the mistake of keeping popular couples apart. Possibly because they fear the couple will become boring

 

I'm already bored with Reacon.  Marry them off or separate them for good already.

 

Thank goodness Zoey told Gunnar where to shove his dumbass son and his expectations that she'll drop everything to be a nanny, cook and chauffeur for him.

 

I have fashion notes:

 

Why has Zoey dyed her hair that dismal orangey-brassy color? I hate it. Her natural brown hair was lovely. Now she looks like a wanna-be someone she’s not.

 

Layla looked beautiful with her hair up during the CMA scenes. The style accentuated the beauty of her face.

 

Natasha-the-hooker doesn’t look hookerish enough for me. I know she’s supposed to be high class and all, but she was dressed like a librarian at the CMAs. However, I do like Teddy with her. He gets his game on with her instead of being passive and dull.

 

Scarlett, or Stylist of Scarlett: Ugh, ugh, ugh. Can the show never put her in a casual outfit that’s attractive and doesn’t make her look homeless? And those ratty hair weaves have never ceased to irk me since Season 1.

[rachel1496]

Didn't Layla and Will both agree to marry basically as a career move?  Or was Layla not in on that aspect of Will's decision?  I know she had hopes the love was real, but I think Will had his own hopes for the marriage that were naive but probably short of abusive.  

Layla wasn't in on that plan at all.  Brent told Will that people were speculating and breaking up with Layla at that point would be a bad move, Will took it one further and proposed.  The proposal and marriage were both the result of Will being in a panic over people finding out he was gay.

 

They're living a lie because they're being blackmailed by the reality show producer. They'd be getting divorced otherwise.

 They're not being blackmailed, Will is.  The producers have absolutely nothing on Layla.

[madam magpie]

They're not being blackmailed, Will is.  The producers have absolutely nothing on Layla.

 

Sure they do. She signed a contract and they have a threat to out her husband and, by default, out her as an idiot. For an entertainer, public embarassment is a really big deal, not to mention a breach-of-contract lawsuit. If they didn't have anything on her, she'd leave. My recollection is that Layla didn't come up with her own blackmail scheme until the divorce idea was shot down by the producer.

[Abstract]

Natasha-the-hooker doesn’t look hookerish enough for me. I know she’s supposed to be high class and all, but she was dressed like a librarian at the CMAs. However, I do like Teddy with her. He gets his game on with her instead of being passive and dull.

1.

She reminds me too much of Martha from The Americans to ring true as a high class escort.

[kia112]

Agree and am surprised to see the response from another poster that this is the actual place that the CMAs are held. It looked like they were sitting on folding chairs.

Late response, and maybe this has already been covered: the CMAs are held at Bridgestone and there were many establishing shots of the actual venue (red carpet, Gunnar/Zoey looking for what's his face by the escalator), but most of that up close stuff was shot on a soundstage (actors in the audience, the stage, the performances, Brad and Carrie talking, the bathrooms)

[fib]

Man, Gunner sucks sometimes.  WTH was he doing bringing his kid to the CMAs?  (I know, I know, plot device) But seriously, this is a work event.  He and Zoe should be schmoozing, networking, and NOT babysitting. Even though he thinks its his own kid, there just isnt a place for children at industry events… in any industry.  It wasn't only not fair of him to be upset with Zoe when Micah got lost.  It wasn't fair for him to saddle her with him at all when the day presented such a big opportunity for her to meet other artists who might need backup singers, or music industry execs looking for new talent. 

 

Rayna being upset at the prenup is the dumbest thing ever. Especially because she knows that a few months ago she was in financial dire straights because she had maxed out everything to get H65 off the ground, including her kids home because Teddy was an idiot. Of course she would want a prenup.  And why would Luke have it in his hotel get ready for the CMAs bag? Stupid stupid stupid.  

[Sandman]

Thank goodness Zoey told Gunnar where to shove his dumbass son and his expectations that she'll drop everything to be a nanny, cook and chauffeur for him.

 

She didn't, really. I think she mentioned at the awards venue that she couldn't keep her eyes on the kid every minute, but in breaking up with him, she said she didn't want him to have to choose between her and his son, so she stepped aside (::sob::) . If she had actually said that he was treating her as if she was the nanny, cook and chauffeur, and that she had a right to expect better, I think I'd have applauded. As it was, ehh.

 

In a way, I'm surprised that prenup(s) didn't come up at Ruke (puke)'s big meeting where the tour-slash-marriage was planned by the handlers, with occasional grudgingly accepted input from the Happy Couple . That seems like the kind of thing Luke's people would have been all over.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Sandman

[airwair]

Late response, and maybe this has already been covered: the CMAs are held at Bridgestone and there were many establishing shots of the actual venue (red carpet, Gunnar/Zoey looking for what's his face by the escalator), but most of that up close stuff was shot on a soundstage (actors in the audience, the stage, the performances, Brad and Carrie talking, the bathrooms)

Really? My friend was an extra that day and she said they shot at Bridgestone.

[rachel1496]

Sure they do. She signed a contract and they have a threat to out her husband and, by default, out her as an idiot. For an entertainer, public embarassment is a really big deal, not to mention a breach-of-contract lawsuit. If they didn't have anything on her, she'd leave. My recollection is that Layla didn't come up with her own blackmail scheme until the divorce idea was shot down by the producer.

Layla's entire career is to play the dipshit wife on a reality show, public embarassment is nothing new to her.