S03.E15: That's The Way Love Goes

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Rayna's anniversary of her induction into the Grand Ole Opry is cause for celebration and guest starring cameos by country stars Vince Gill and Lorrie Morgan as themselves. Rayna reaches out to Deacon and her daughters to perform with her, prompting the girls' hopes of the couple reuniting romantically. Will is uncomfortable when he's paired with an out gay man to collaborate on songwriting. Sadie is interviewed by Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" and goes public about her private battle.

 

Promo:

[againstthewind]

The music was incredible tonight. Incredible.

 

Also, I'm going to say this, and then run out of the thread in utter shame and humiliation:

 

I found Jeff/Oliver/whoever really hot tonight. And I kind of like him with Layla.

Edited March 5, 2015 by againstthewind

[kcarp]

I created an account to agree w/you againstthewind.

Now back to lurkdom.

[againstthewind]

I created an account to agree w/you againstthewind.

Now back to lurkdom.

 

Good, we can hang out in the shallow end of the pool together.

[whatsatool]

Agree also

I only wish we could hear more of the Exes. Love them

[tennisgurl]

God help me...I think I agree.

 

Great music tonight! Love the Exes! It`s not a bad gimmick for a band, three exes singing together. Avery naming off random objects in his living room as possible band names cracked me up.

 

FINALLY Deacon tells Raina! Thank you! 

[Temperance]

In some ways Scarlett was the strongest woman on the show tonight.

I liked her sticking up to Deacon, and bonding with his Doc, and playing with Avery and Gunnar. 

 

In musical notes, meet the Triple Exes who sound kinda like Fleetwood mac. 

I missed Juliet and am surprised Avery wants to start touring right away. He's about to be a father.

 

I like the actress who plays Sadie. I feel like the Sadie storyline bogs down an otherwise already loaded plot. 

 

I too enjoyed seeing Jeff and Layla tonight. I like how it's seems like a different relationship than many on the show and elsewhere. 

 

So many first times! It was Gunnar's first time. And Will's first time. And the Conrad sister's Opry debut. 

With Teddy about to be in a big scandal, how long before Maddie changes her name to Claybourne? Maybe Daphne can go with James?

 

I found Luke at his best hanging with Cole. I also liked seeing Rayna bond with her girls. With Deacon having cancer and Teddy falling apart, Rayna needs to learn to stand tall and be there for the girls. With or Without a man.

Edited March 5, 2015 by Temperance

[Stella MD]

Deacon has terminal cancer, so he winds up with a punch in the face. That seems about par for the course for this show and St. Rayna. 

[CMH1981]

Love hearing the Stella sisters sing.  I want an album of theirs now.

 

I understand Hayden being pregnant and all but it was glaringly obvious to me that Juliette would not miss Avery's group making their big time debut like that.  When is she supposed to give birth on the show?  I feel like she has been pregnant for like 2 years on this show.

 

Ugh...of course Gunnar gets jealous when he sees Scarlett w/ someone other than himself.

 

I think Sadie just guaranteed she has a bullet w/ her name on it.

 

Will's storyline with the gay songwriter was boring.  I was ready for the two of them to just rip their clothes off and hop into bed already.  I wanted to see the pretties w/ their naked torsos....what can I say i'm surprisingly shallow.

 

I loved that Rayna slapped Deacon after he confessed his diagnosis.  I think every show needs to go this route where the person gets slapped after they tell others they have cancer.

 

Forgot to add that I loved that Teddy has the prostitute under "blocked" in his cell phone....uh, that's not how blocked calls work writers.  This being Teddy, i'm surprised he didn't have her listed under "prostitute."

Edited March 5, 2015 by CMH1981

[vibeology]

I went all in for Jayla last week and I am so glad I did. First off, they are hot together. More importantly, their storyline is about music and breaking out in the current music scene. As much as their personal stuff was entertaining, I loved all the business talk. I think the "behind the scenes" music industry stuff is what makes this show unique so seeing it finally for the first time in a long time was thrilling. The fact that they have chemistry for days only makes pay closer attention to everything they do.

 

In general the music tonight was amazing! I love the Conrad sisters and have been listening to that song for a while so I'm glad that's what they sang for their Opry debut. The Exes have finally gelled for me and I loved that performance. I'm not a huge fan of Rayna but throwing Deacon in made for a much more interesting and emotional performance.

 

I didn't hate Luke because he acted like a mature adult, the Dr. Boyfriend didn't bug and I'm actually interested in Will and his songwriting partner because, Like I already said, music business stuff is interesting. I'm glad we made some forward motion on the cancer storyline because I'm over it and I love Laura Benanti, but Sadie really is off on her own island and its just a waste. Teddy, too, is a waste and I can't believe I missed half a song to deal with his escort drama.

[madam magpie]

I haven't seen this yet, but does Rayna really slap him when he tells her he's sick? Seriously??

[CMH1981]

She does slap him, but I think it's more of an "i'm in shock b/c this messes up the happily ever after I pictured for me, and by extension you and our daughter" slap.  She goes in to hug him and starts crying immediately after the slap.

Edited March 5, 2015 by CMH1981

[TVFAN]

No Javery tonight.  Sigh . . . .  But Hayden deserves time with her baby.

 

Avery what were you thinking accepting out-of-town tour dates???  Poor Juliette is about to pop!  You just know she will go into labor while he is out of town.

 

The music tonight was awesome.  I enjoyed every number.

 

Gunnar, Scarlett, and Avery are fun together.  

 

Still not digging Sadie.

 

I wonder if Luke is going to draw Bucky over to his company?

 

Um, Rayna (and writers!), being a woman doesn't mean you get to slap someone.  (And I say that as a woman.)  Nothing gives a man or a woman the right to raise a hand against another person.  I know she was upset by Deacon's news, but that reaction was simply unacceptable.  Imagine the outcry if their positions were reversed.  Domestic violence works both ways . . . .

 

 

[dbell1]

I really wish Vince Gill would sing on this show. Oh, that tenor....

The Triple X's? Eh, better than The Crazy Hair Band. Did anyone notice Sam's accent coming through tonight when Gunnar got mad? So, they're booked for Rascal Flatts' next six shows? Guess Avery will be a busy man. And if they don't wind up signed to Highway 65, I'll be shocked. And shocker, Gunnar still wuvs Scarlett. Oh, the hair their children might have... Someone stop them!

Deacon, thanks for telling Rayna the truth finally. Now Rayna's magical hair can find a cure. Their song dragged. But it gave them ample time to gaze into each other's eyes...

Poor Luke. His only friend is his neglected son.

Wonder if Will is going to come clean with the new writer? They bonded over scrappy fathers...

Sadie outing her ex as an abuser finally. Hooray for her, but it won't end well.

Is Teddy the idiot still wandering around the Opry backstage? And can we leave him there?

And best line of the night was Deacon to Scarlett: "Are you going to stop abusing my kitchen and tell me what's wrong?" Classic!!

[madam magpie]

She does slap him, but I think it's more of an "i'm in shock b/c this messes up the happily ever after I pictured for me, and by extension you and our daughter" slap. She goes in to hug him and starts crying immediately after the slap.

Because nothing says "I love you" like a palm to the face? Who does that??? This show is INSANE. Even when they right their ship, they're nuts. Though if Rayna can slap him for having cancer, Deacon gets a total pass for clocking her while drunk.

Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[thuganomics85]

Yay, the return of Fun Gunnar.  The trying to find a band name story-line was pure filler, but I enjoyed it, and all the silly names.  I guess Triple X works, but I was personally voting for Highway Cheese.  Would have at least made people take notice.  Especially if Gunnar dressed like a block of cheese.  Oh well, got plenty of Gunnar/Avery, which is always great, and even Gunnar/Will was fun again.  Of course, they had to do the whole "Gunnar's feelings for Scarlett come back when he sees her making out with new boyfriend", but, whatever, show.

 

Speaking of Scarlett, I actually got a bit annoyed with the doctor for waiting and telling Scarlett he was annoyed by all the medical talk, until after the date.  I get he didn't want to make things awkward and thought she needed to let it all out, but did he even attempt to say something like "Lets talk about something else.", during the entire date?  Because if he just let her ramble on forever, how was she suppose to know it wasn't working?  Well, I guess if he gave off nonverbal cues, but not everyone is great at picking up on those.  And, I could buy that Scarlett was just nervous.  Eh, it seems it all worked out.

 

Oh, boy.  I'm glad Sadie is taking a stand for her sake and peace of mind, but I have to imagine this is going to set the ex off.  She, and probably both Rayna and Avery, need to start wearing bulletproof vests now.  Probably Bucky and Juliette too.  Anyone connected to this is probably fair game.

 

Will gets a new songwriter that's openly gay.  Hopefully, he won't screw it up somehow, but this is Will we're talking about.

 

Actually liked the Layla/Jeff stuff.  It's sneaky, but Jeff's approach does seem smart, and Layla is selling it.  I'm sure something will eventually expose them, but it's kind of fun for now.

 

I get the real life pregnancy is probably effecting how much Hayden can work, but I'm really missing Juliette.  If nothing else, I would have loved to see Pregnant Juliette go off on Gunnar, when he showed up at their house.

 

Honestly, I don't feel bad for Teddy.  Dude, you need to think before you act.

 

So, this was one of those "Luke isn't that bad!" episodes.  They are so weird about this.  I get trying to make a character be fleshed out, but it always feels like one episode, Luke is a decent man, and the next, he's being an arrogant jackass to everyone.

 

Well, Rayna now knows Deacon's got cancer.  Quit slapping him, Rayna!  Find him a donor instead!

 

I liked this episode.  The music was pretty good, and a lot of funny moments. 

Edited March 5, 2015 by thuganomics85

[Sandman]

Well, Two Guys and Their Crazy Ex-Girlfriend isn't the worst band name I've ever heard.

 

Cole's a pretty good egg for a neglected son of a horse's ass.

 

The cancer slap was over the top, but I felt for Rayna anyway. Charles Esten's face when Deacon and Rayna were singing their duet was lethal.

[Artsda]

I don't even know why I still bother with this show, when people in my life say they have cancer my reaction should be to slap them now. RME. Deacon deserves better than her, I don't understand why he or Teddy or Luke wants her.

Edited March 5, 2015 by Artsda

[Brinny]

I'm loving the Triple Exes (and their cheeky double-entendre name). I do agree with whoever said it was a little weird for Avery to be so excited to go out on tour with his wife about to give birth to their daughter pretty much any day now, but I'll take it, because I absolutely love watching the three of them perform. Plus it gives us happy Scarlett! It's like spotting some sort of rare bird in the wild. Although, I'm basically the opposite of psyched that Gunnar seems to be hopping back on the Scarlett love train. Dude, let it go. You don't want to be the Triple Exes (Except the Two Who Are Kinda Sorta Together Because of Reasons and... Avery).

 

Speaking of random changes (Gunnar's on-again feelings for Scarlett is my segue here), what's up with Luke's kid?  Did they seriously want to have a love interest for Maddie so badly that they had to re-write Kole (Cole? Or something not even close to that? I really can't bring myself give a shit about full on Luke storylines, let alone Luke adjacent ones) from a Skull Candy wearing brat to some doe-eyed, "I'm really, really sorry that I inadvertently made you watch your ex eye-fuck her ex on stage tonight, but I really love hanging out with you. We should hang out more. Like all the time." I feel like Kole of two months ago (seriously, his name is Kole, right?) would have purposely found out if Deacon was going to perform that night and then lied to get Luke to come along and witness it. I'm not sure why I have so many feeling about this. 

 

Um, Rayna (and writers!), being a woman doesn't mean you get to slap someone.  (And I say that as a woman.)  Nothing gives a man or a woman the right to raise a hand against another person.  I know she was upset by Deacon's news, but that reaction was simply unacceptable.  Imagine the outcry if their positions were reversed.  Domestic violence works both ways . . . .

 

YES! This is one of my biggest pet peeves in TV/movies in general (that it's totes okay for women to casually slap men, as if it's just something that's done), but in an episode that boasted a somewhat major storyline about domestic violence? Who okayed that?! Now, I'm not equating what Sadie went through with her ex to what Rayna did to Deacon, but hitting someone whom you love should just never be acceptable. You're absolutely right. What if the positions were reversed? What if Rayna had cancer and when she told Deacon, he reacted by backhanding her? Not cool, right? It's such a seriously troublesome trope in television and it makes me batty.

[missbonnie]

God forgive me for saying this, but I totally got the reason for Rayna slapping Deacon. My mother was diagnosed with COPD and didn't tell me or my three siblings for over a year. I was supremely pissed off, especially because had I known that, I sure as hell wouldn't have sat outside visiting with her while she was smoking. She quit, but only after we all knew and by then we only had another 6, not very pretty months with her. It was a gut reaction and I totally understand that.

I definitely liked this episode very much on all points. However, as someone said up thread, it feels like Juliette has been pregnant for a year and a half.

Edited because my phone hates me tonight.

Edited March 5, 2015 by missbonnie

[Sandman]

 ... but in an episode that boasted a somewhat major storyline about domestic violence? Who okayed that?!

 

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you make a good point.

 

Triple Exes (Except the Two Who Are Kinda Sorta Together Because of Reasons and... Avery).

 

Best. Bad Band Name. EVER.

[tennisgurl]

Yeah...I get that Raina was upset, both that Deacon didn't tell her sooner, and that it was just a really emotional moment, but was it really a great idea to have Raina smack her ex boyfriend right after the whole big "evils of domestic abuse" story-line? I mean, I get its totally not the same thing, within context, but it seemed like a REALLY crappy time to pull out a dramatic slap. Like, damn Raina I know it`s a lot to take in, but the guy has freaking cancer. Lay off the slapping.  

 

YES! This is one of my biggest pet peeves in TV/movies in general (that it's totes okay for women to casually slap men, as if it's just something that's done), but in an episode that boasted a somewhat major storyline about domestic violence? Who okayed that?!

 Really well said! I hate this trope in TV/movies. When is it EVER ok to slap someone, especially someone you love? And its always portrayed as just something that women do, and everyone's just ok with it!  It`s not, ok? If its a man or a woman, its not a justifiable reaction. It`s not even like Raina is a particularly violent or volatile person. It was just a really weird reaction, and with the domestic abuse story, it made for really bad timing.  

Edited March 5, 2015 by tennisgurl

[madam magpie]

... but in an episode that boasted a somewhat major storyline about domestic violence? Who okayed that?!

It's another one of those bizarre story choices on this show...like Rayna nearly dying in a car crash and being so traumatized by it that she can't even look at Deacon, but loving Sadie running stop signs to escape paparazzi. These writers have no idea how people really behave, or they don't care to be accurate.

I get Rayna being angry that Deacon didn't tell her he was sick...though it's pretty "pot calling the kettle black" coming from a woman who hid their child from him for over a decade, but OK. And I'm not inherently offended by people slapping each other when appropriate. But it's ridiculous in this situation. This is Rayna...she who ran after Scarlett when Beverly was manhandling her, who took an elbow to the jaw from Deacon, who came to Sadie's rescue from an abusive ex, who fired Liam for sleeping with Scarlett. And I'm supposed to buy that she slaps the great love of her life when he tells her he's sick? Come on!

And seriously, Deacon was pretty shocked, hurt, and angry when he found out about Maddie. So if he'd slapped Rayna in the face, it would have been cool and understandable because he was really mad at her? Forget men/women slapping cliches and double standards. People who aren't psychos or abusers just don't do that. Rayna could have screamed or cried or yelled at him or collapsed against a wall or thrown herself at him or even backed away, hands up, melodramatically muttering "no, no,no." That would be how a person like Rayna would react to this shock. A slap is soap opera bullshit.

Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[Soup333]

I think Sadie just guaranteed she has a bullet w/ her name on it.

 

Pretty much. 

 

YES! This is one of my biggest pet peeves in TV/movies in general (that it's totes okay for women to casually slap men, as if it's just something that's done), but in an episode that boasted a somewhat major storyline about domestic violence? Who okayed that?! Now, I'm not equating what Sadie went through with her ex to what Rayna did to Deacon, but hitting someone whom you love should just never be acceptable. You're absolutely right. What if the positions were reversed? What if Rayna had cancer and when she told Deacon, he reacted by backhanding her? Not cool, right? It's such a seriously troublesome trope in television and it makes me batty.

 

Agreed.

 

I was kinda bored tonight, unfortunately. I'm over Luke and his retconned son, Kole/Cole/K-Wheeler or whatever. I'm not even going to comment on Layla and Jeff...no, I am, but because I literally screamed at my television, "HOW MUCH LONGER AM I GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS SHIT?" She's back to being a bratty bitch and he's still himself, so...but YMMV. Carry on.

 

Teddy continues to be stupid. I was so hoping Daphne would answer the phone. I would have died if the prostitute had been in his phone as "that good good" or something.

 

I too wanted Will and the songwriter to get it on. I'm hoping it goes that way at some point in the near future.

 

Surprised that Avery wouldn't have at least LOOKED like he was thinking, "Hmm, a tour would be cool, but I've got this baby coming...Maybe I should speak to my wife about this before agreeing to it."

 

I did laugh at Luke's line about "maybe" handling things badly after the wedding debacle.

 

I am always, always down for Gunnar/Avery and Gunnar/Will  friendship stuff. Love it. I kind of liked Whiskey Frogs myself. 

 

Wait a minute...when is the next episode coming on?

Edited March 5, 2015 by Soup333

[missbonnie]

March 25th is the concert, so I would assume the week after that?

[imakeepit100]

I loved the songs this episode.. Well, not necessarily Rayna and Deacon's song, but I love anytime I get to see Deacon on stage. Chip Esten definitely has stage presence.

 

I really, really, REALLY want them to do something with Layla's hair. In fact, fire the hair stylist because they barely ever tame Scarlett's extensions. And I'm getting tired of Avery's shaggy hair. He's starting to morph into my high school algebra teacher (and my teacher was a woman).

 

I don't mind Layla and Jeff, but at the same time, he seems super old for her. That said, I'm okay with him. I prefer him over Teddy because Teddy's just stupid. And every show has to have a bad guy.

 

Getting a bad feeling about Sadie. I just hope they don't end the season with her murder. 

 

I didn't mind the slap because I spent the 90s watching soaps, so it seems normal to me. But no way in real life would that be Rayna's reaction when the love of her life drops that kind of bombshell. I did love the emotion. I think it was the best acting I've ever seen from her because I could feel it.

[madam magpie]

No more episodes until April? Dang.

Well, now I've seen it and stand by the slapping being ridiculous. I don't think she was mad at him for not telling her, though. It felt like she was mad at him for saying she'd always known the drinking would kill him; it was her greatest fear and she's angry to be right. Still, the slap will be one of those things I just pretend never happened. I do that a lot with this show. Other than that, I thought Connie did a great job of showing how gutted Rayna was at the end. The saddest moment, though, I thought, was when she told him she wanted him to stop leaving her. That's such an alcoholic thing, how they just disappear (literally or into the booze or just emotionally) and you never know when it's coming.

The Exes are my new favorite band. Maybe Rayna will sign them. The "what's our name" plotline may have been silly, but I thought it was a lot of fun.

Scarlett yelling at Deacon was great. On a shallow note, holy smokes! He looked hot in those glasses. I notice that he's really looking super-healthy for a guy who's dying.

I'm glad Sadie laid the abuse out there. I fear for her safety as well, but that's the only way to handle it. Keeping it a secret gives the abuser all the power.

I still don't care for Luke.

All the music was fantastic.

P.S. I think Luke's son is named Colt.

Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[crocosmia]

Rayna's slapping Deacon when he told her he was sick was selfish of her, but it fit the melodrama of this kind of show.   It also showed her sudden devastation at the news, and I thought Connie Britton did a good job of portraying reaction to such an abrupt smack of grief.   Deacon's news was an emotional slap in the face, and she reacted with a real slap.     I do like that Rayna finally has time for her daughters, even if it's only because she doesn't currently have a man to sleep with.   

 

Scarlett was so cute, all nervous and way too gabby on her first date with the doctor, trying to avoid any awkward silences by filling them up with chatter.   Scarlett's character was awesome in this episode.  I like that she vented her frustrations with Deacon, too.   She got her point across with spunk, and she didn't have to slap him to do it.

 

I'm glad Luke is still part of the plot.   He's more interesting as Rayna's adversary than as her boyfriend.  I like that they're developing his relationship with his son. 

 

Ha.  Jeff and Layla are going to be a great scheming dynamic-duo.  What fun.

 

I hope that Sadie is merely holding Juliette's place until Hayden is back in performance mode.    The domestic abuse theme is current and newsworthy, but it kind of adds too much reality to the "escape fiction" enjoyment of most of the rest of the stories.

 

Dr. Cutie sure seems to have a lot of down time during working hours.  Scarlett can just drop in at his office unannounced, and there he is at his desk. But it's a soap opera and they're awfully cute together, so there you are.

 

The naming of the Scarlett, Avery, and Gunnar trio was much fun. 

 

I love the Stella sisters performing.  Love them. 

 

And Teddy misses his daughters' debut while he's once again in some backstage nook talking with his hooker friend.  Gads, he's stupid. 

 

When Will finally comes out, it's going to be pretty stale.  His story line has been drawn out way past its shelf life.

 

Love the Triple-Exes.  All the music was great in this episode.

 

Deacon is yummy.

[GaT]

Lots of music this episode, it's nice when we get back to basics. I'm so glad that Deacon finally told someone, because the whole cancer thing is getting old (is that sentence as weird as I think it is? LOL). I still want Jeff gone & I think Layla is an idiot for being with him, he doesn't care about her at all.

 

Move Teddy's story forward & end it. I'm tired of Teddy & The Prostitute (that would have been an awesome band name!)

[Sutton]

Rayna slapping Deacon was a woman realizing she might loose the only man she has ever been IN LOVE with since she was 16 yrs old. Don't agree with it but she was so scared to hear from Deacon that he has cancer that her reaction was lash out and hit something. Hit the wall, scream, yell no, no do what Deacon use to do when he got drunk break furniture. Now that would have been great acting from Connie.

 

The saddest moment, though, I thought was when she told him she wanted him to stop leaving her.

I agree that was the saddest moment she is devastated hearing Deacon might die.

 

I love spunky Scarlett she doesn't have a problem telling Deacon it was his fault that her date sucked. Deacon wearing glasses to read another thing that man makes sexy.

 

What's with Bucky meeting Luke for breakfast as Bucky said doesn't like going behind Rayna's back so what was the reason for the meeting didn't catch it..Then after the Opry he apologizes to Luke that if he had known Deacon was coming he would have given Luke a heads up since when did they become best buds. Luke trying to put a wedge between Rayna and Bucky and get him to work for his label. Don't trust that man.

 

Did anyone see the face on Sadie's ex when she announced on TV that he was a wife abuser. She better keep that gun close because he looks like he going to get even with her telling it on national TV.

[Muffyn]

Luke's son is named Colt (looked it up on IMDB), but I prefer the other names we're giving him - Cole, Kole, Kale, whatever.  Since Maddie is becoming a singer, Cauliflower should become alcoholic so he and Maddie can relive Deacon and Rayna's lives with their own love story.  

[dcalley]

So many first times! It was Gunnar's first time.

He said that, yet I recall him being on the tour bus with Scarlett, so he played in some of the arenas she did, right?

 

This is Rayna...who fired Liam for sleeping with Scarlett.

Whoa, I forgot about that. Did they actually have sex, though? I thought it didn't happen thanks to Rayna walking in.

 

I don't think she was mad at him for not telling her, though. It felt like she was mad at him for saying she'd always known the drinking would kill him; it was her greatest fear and she's angry to be right.

I think you're right.

 

Thanks to so many of you for echoing my thoughts on The Slap. 

[TWP]

100% agree about the double standard that women can hit men with few repercussions.

I totally see where Rayna was coming from in feeling angry. I remember one time while our area was experiencing the worst earthquake I'd ever experienced, I got seriously furious at my husband when he said it wasn't over. Looking back, it was a very strange emotion given that he was only trying to keep me from going out of the protected environment where we'd gone to weather the quake, but it came from bewildered stress. And I think that's where Rayna's expression came from, but also from how Deacon hurt her many times instead of just telling her about the diagnosis.

But yeah, double standards. In an episode that emphasizes domestic violence, Rayna shouldn't be slapping Deacon....although I'm probably giving writers too much credit by saying that maybe they were attempting to emphasize the double standard.

Hollywood is hideous on domestic violence...look at the Grammys which had a segment on domestic violence in the same year when they nominated Chris Brown for several awards. Bunch of hypocrites.

Maybe the show needs to hire a stand in for Hayden. I really don't get the impression that she's coming back right away....I suspect they'll let Avery go on tour and no harm will be done with the relationship. Juliette will be happy. The baby will be born and life will go on. Sometimes they've just gotta hand wave the complexities of relationships for the sake of figuring out what to do to get around people's personal real life situations. So expect to check reality at the door on Avery's tour. Somehow with a wife about to pop, it's no problem.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

So many good things about this episode, namely multiple good songs! In many ways, this show is like Glee for me - I'm willing to overlook some of the stupid writing, but if there isn't at least one good song in each episode to make up for the stupid writing, then I get annoyed.

 

Any episode where Maddie and Daphne sing gets extra points (although to be honest, I prefer when they're unplugged). Same for SAG, so double bonus this week (and even more bonus points because we got to hear them singing the acoustic version at the beginning of the episode). The Rayna/Deacon duets really vary but this one was good (and way less vocal scooping which I have been complaining about for three seasons). So from a music standpoint, this episode was awesome for having three good songs!

 

I loathe Jeff but I wish that Will had called him once he found out that Luke fired him. Will is too smart to try to get out of his contract but it would have been nice for him to tell Jeff he had no idea until now. And I know Jeff is smart enough to know that it would a ridiculous idea for Will to leave Luke's label over Jeff being fired, so he might be hurt but he isn't going to hold it against Will. I will say that at least Jeff is trying to be smart. He knew not to show up to Layla's dinner with Bucky, no matter how much she wanted the moral support. And when she later said she was going out without him, he just smiled and didn't argue.

 

Ha, Maddie is such a typical 15 year old. Luke's out of the picture and Deacon doesn't have a girlfriend, so in her eyes there is nothing to stop Rayna and Deacon from being together. When the girls and Deacon were backstage, I loved that Deacon said, "Love you guys," to both Maddie and Daphne. Poor Daphne always gets the shaft but she still loves Deacon as much as she did before everyone found out that he was Maddie's dad.

 

I did feel bad for Scarlett because as she pointed out, she has to keep Deacon's secret so she has no one to talk to about the situation. Dealing with someone who has a serious illness is so stressful and she has no outlet. She can barely even talk to Deacon about it because he keeps pooh poohing her thistle shakes and kombucha. She really needs to go to a cancer family support group.

 

The fact that Sadie's ex was watching her on tv just goes to show that he is still as obsessed with her as ever. Now she's guaranteed that he's going to come after her again.

 

ITA that all of this Luke and Cauliflower (I was calling him Kohl in my head because I was waiting for him to go all emo and start wearing eyeliner and black nail polish and writing sad poetry by candlelight) business seems out of character from the way they've been written in the past. Honestly, i don't really care about either of them but it was nice to see that Luke was capable of behaving like an adult for once instead of having a temper tantrum at the Opry show. And the best thing about Kale right now is that he and Maddie have stayed in touch despite their parents' breakup.

 

Loved all the SAG band name suggestions. I know it sounds silly but it can be really hard to choose a name when you have lots of time, but it's even harder when you have a huge time constraint. They were right about needing a new name for this show though. It's one thing to sing for basically their friends at open mic night at the Bluebird where everyone knows them since they all worked there recently. But having a show like this was a big opportunity so they needed to take advantage of that by coming up with a name so that people will know who to look up online after the show. That actually happened to me once when I was performing with a group at a huge music festival with thousands of people. We had to come up with a name pretty quickly and it was really stressful. In the end, we ended up using something that we didn't love just for the sake of having a name. It really does get to the point where you just start looking at things and naming them. Blue car! Unmowed lawn! Half-eaten burrito!

Edited March 5, 2015 by ElectricBoogaloo

[marieYOTZ]

I am sooooo tired of Maddie doing the "NOW KISS!" thing with Rayna and Deacon. I think she has convinced me to wish for them to be apart forever. What teenager acts like this?? I would have chewed on glass before i'd have expressed any interest in my parents' love lives at that age!

Okay glad i got that off my chest.

I'm kind of rooting for a Sadie/Luke pairup - finally he could put his macho bravado to good use by just whaling on her ex everytime he comes sniffing around.

I found Jeff/Oliver/whoever really hot tonight. And I kind of like him with Layla.

I'm right there with you. I liked it when she brushed him off about hanging out with her, he just smirked like "that's my bitchy girl"...

Edited March 5, 2015 by marieYOTZ

[vibeology]

I was listening to Heart On Fire again because I love those Stella sisters and that song is about Rayna, right? The song is all about a once fearless women hurt by love and needs to find herself again. I love how well it fits her and how it suited the Opry performance. This show has its cringy moments but the music on this show is so smart.

[allonsyalice]

 

 

I found Jeff/Oliver/whoever really hot tonight. And I kind of like him with Layla.

 

I feel it. I FEEL IT. I've always had a small crush on Jeff? Like. he is hot. I'm shallow. I think it's a weird dynamic with Layla, too, but I certainly like it.

[Iboatedhere]

I didn't like The Slap with Rayna and Deacon but I loved when Layla threw that magnet at Jeff. I thought it was cute. Even though nothing with Jeff should be considered cute.

 

"Whiskey." "Frogs." "Highway." "Cheese." Hahaha! Just name the band 'I Love Lamp.'

 

Kevin is a cutie and so is the doctor.

 

I wish the spotlight didn't go off Daphne when Maddie was singing.

[Soup333]

I really, really, REALLY want them to do something with Layla's hair. In fact, fire the hair stylist because they barely ever tame Scarlett's extensions. And I'm getting tired of Avery's shaggy hair. He's starting to morph into my high school algebra teacher (and my teacher was a woman).

 

I didn't mind the slap because I spent the 90s watching soaps, so it seems normal to me. But no way in real life would that be Rayna's reaction when the love of her life drops that kind of bombshell. I did love the emotion. I think it was the best acting I've ever seen from her because I could feel it.

 

I loved his hair in 2.20 when he apologized to Juliette for not thinking of her feelings regarding Scarlett's meltdown.

 

The agree that the slap seemed out of character for Rayna, but maybe (gonna try and play devil's advocate for a moment) they were going back to how Rayna usually bottles her feelings (Lamarr's death, Luke), but this time she just couldn't? That's the best explanation I can come up with for it. I'm going to go the madam magpie route and pretend it didn't happen.

 

Did they specifically mention that Avery wrote the song they sang? Seemed like a song for he and Juliette. It was good to see Gunnar so happy up there singing it.

 

 

I liked it when she (Layla) brushed him off about hanging out with her, he just smirked like "that's my bitchy girl"...

 

I did smirk at this myself. 

[Abstract]

Hasn't some similar band name for SAG been floating around here ever since Scarlett took Zoe's place? It seems so obvious to play on the ex-boyfriend thing that I can't believe they didn't come up with it sooner.

Is the show setting up a redemption arc for Luke or is he going to keep alternating between "sensitive" and slimy?

I'm so glad Scarlett told Deacon off. I hate the manufactured conflicts that come in because one character won't be honest with another.

[Stella MD]

The whole scene between Rayna and Deacon was already annoying me well before The Slap. She comes hunting him down with hurt feelings because he left without saying goodbye? Bitch, please -  do you not remember that this is the same man who followed you all over town professing his love for you, and you kept shattering his heart into a million pieces telling him to move on? He's well earned the right to go home without perfunctory social pleasantries. Hell, he's well earned the right to have a new girlfriend who doesn't think about herself constantly and shows your ass the door whenever you appear unannounced with your little hurt-feelings mindgames.  

 

Gah, I am SO over those two.

[Sandman]

Whiskey Frogs Highway Cheese is more of a German New Wave band name, really. (Or maybe a performance art piece by Yoko Ono?)

Teddy & The Prostitutes is totally a punk band.

[madam magpie]

The whole scene between Rayna and Deacon was already annoying me well before The Slap. She comes hunting him down with hurt feelings because he left without saying goodbye? Bitch, please - do you not remember that this is the same man who followed you all over town professing his love for you, and you kept shattering his heart into a million pieces telling him to move on? He's well earned the right to go home without perfunctory social pleasantries. Hell, he's well earned the right to have a new girlfriend who doesn't think about herself constantly and shows your ass the door whenever you appear unannounced with your little hurt-feelings mind games.

This is actually what I was referring to as the saddest part but maybe wasn't clear. I think the fact that Rayna confronted him about this tells us another something helpful about what it is exactly about Deacon that hurts and scares her so much. It's that she feels like she never knows when he's going to bail on her or simply ditch her or not show up for her or just walk away from her. Rayna has certainly jerked him around a bit, but part of the reason she's not been able to settle on one decision romantically before now (and I include her marriage to Teddy in that because she and Deacon appeared to be doing some fine dancing around the issue there) is because she doesn't trust him to cope with life in a way that doesn't constantly hurt her. He did it again with this cancer thing because fear and loathing and repression (with or without alcohol) are how he copes. Rayna is unable to live like that. So when she basically begged him to stop doing it, she was saying a lot more than "don't head out without saying goodbye." She was saying, "even when life is hard, you've got to stick it out with me, I have to be able to count on the fact that you'll be around to face it with me, I can't live with someone who shuts me out randomly, it's too hurtful." And given the fact that Deacon professed his undying love to her up until the final hour, I think that's fair. He says he wants her desperately, but then pulls away from her the moment she reciprocates. That's also jerking someone around, even if you have a legitimate reason for it. They're an absolute mess emotionally, and when they aren't slapping each other, I love it.

I also loved Layla throwing the magnet at Jeff. That fit the character really nicely: it was young, annoyed, slightly playful even in the annoyance.

Abstract: I read a name for ZAG called Scarlett's Web awhile back. That remains my favorite.

Whoa, I forgot about that. Did they actually have sex, though? I thought it didn't happen thanks to Rayna walking in.

I thought they did. Weren't they already sleeping together when Rayna found out? She was worried Scarlett had fallen in love with him. No? Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sandman]

Yeah, Deacon has a history of disappearing. It wasn't just that he didn't say goodbye on an evening out. It's interesting (and maybe one of the few things this show is getting right) that Rayna didn't ask him "What's goin' on with you?" when she found him at the cabin (?) She believed she knew full well. It's in line with her talk with Maddie about how one possible explanation for his backing off her guitar lessons is that "that's what alcoholics do."

[ElectricBoogaloo]

It seems so obvious to play on the ex-boyfriend thing that I can't believe they didn't come up with it sooner.

Especially considering that when Scarlett filled in with Avery's old band after he got his record deal, they jokingly referred to the band as Avery's Exes.

 

Did they specifically mention that Avery wrote the song they sang? Seemed like a song for he and Juliette. It was good to see Gunnar so happy up there singing it.

The three of them were all working on it together at the beginning of the episode so I assumed it was some kind of collaboration between the three of them. Thank goodness they had enough songs to do a whole set for the Rascal Flatts show!

[Soup333]

Re: Liam. Scarlett told Juliette that her producer "literally screwed her and left" so I assumed that they did sleep together at some point.

[TVHappy9463]

Finally, it took almost a year but they dug the show out of the hole and gave everyone good solid plots.  Deacon and Rayna back together to fight Cancer.  The 3 X's, singing and touring. A good influence on Will. And Layla and Jeff, nice developments.  Weak link, the whole Teddy thing.  Keep it up Nashville and maybe there will be a season 4. 

[candall]

MMV.  My mileage varies because I wouldn't want to go to a concert featuring kids, even the headliner's kids. 

 

But it does cross my mind that little Daphne might be hoping that her parents could get back together and life could go back to when the Conrads were a happy family unit.  Maddie gets Cool Deacon and Daphne gets Hooker Teddy .  Poor Daphne.  Sprinkles are for winners.

 

 

*******

Also, I don't have a problem with Rayna's slap.  Men have punched other men on this show numerous times and it wasn't "domestic violence."  Domestic abuse has the element of gaining/maintaining power or control (through physical, psychological, economic or other means.)  Rayna hitting Deacon was equivalent to when Luke blew a fuse and punched Deacon--not like Mr. Sadie hitting Sadie.

 

I'm no fan of hitting.  Even punching walls and kicking tables is ridiculous--you're an adult, control yourself.  But CB did a good job of putting 30 years of frustration into that eruption.  Deacon's drinking messed up both their lives in the past and now he's announcing the future will also be a no-go.  Pow.  I get that.

[Bringonthedrama]

Because nothing says "I love you" like a palm to the face? Who does that??? This show is INSANE. Even when they right their ship, they're nuts. Though if Rayna can slap him for having cancer, Deacon gets a total pass for clocking her while drunk.

I thought she slapped him because she realized his recent avoidance behavior was due to the cancer, and that he's withheld that info. from her and Maddie. Not that it makes it okay, I just didn't think she slapped him because he has cancer.

[Auntie Anxiety]

 

I guess Triple X works, but I was personally voting for Highway Cheese.

I pictured the three of them wearing Green Bay cheese head hats.