S03.E15: That's The Way Love Goes

[TVForever]

I liked Rayna and Luke together, at least until Luke got all weird. I took his behavior at the end of their relationship as anyone might act when they've been dumped. He was angry, hurt, probably embarrassed, and acted out. I was glad to see him seemingly on the other side of that, and moving on- even able to wish Rayna well at the Opry. I would like to him and his son become regulars in a way that's not just about Rayna.

 

I never wanted Rayna and Deacon together because they just seemed to be so destructive in that space. To the extent that they can both grow up and deal with their issues, I can get with them as a couple. Deciding to be apart for awhile was the most mature thing they've done. That's why it's so annoying to see Maddie (cute as she is), campaigning so hard for them to get together. Someone needs to sit her down and tell her that grown folks business is just that. Yes, they care for (even love) each other, but there's more to a good relationship than that, and they're not there yet. So back off kid, and be happy your parents love you and are there for you and mostly get along with each other. 

 

I'm still deciding how I feel about Jeff and Layla. I like that they seem like two misfits who have found each other, but there's still a little creepy factor for me. Maybe it's the age difference- I'm not sure. But I'm not completely against it for now.

 

Right now, Will is the very definition of "I think he doth protest too much." 

 

I want to thank this show for one thing- I was never really a fan of country music, but I'm coming around. I know this is more the contemporary stuff rather than the really traditional vein, but, baby steps, right?

[basiltherat]

Regarding the "cancer slap"  Y&R had a scene where a character finally told his family about his cancer and, after the mad, then hurt histrionics, they jumped around and yelled "I've got cancer!  Woot!"  Which was quite weird, but it sort of demonstrated a way to sick up all the conflicted emotions someone might have at a time like this.  In both cases, a reaction you do not expect.

 

If I recall, some of us used the band name "Scarlett'ls Exes" when it was Gunnar, Avery and Zoey.

[madam magpie]

I love that The Young & the Restless is the storytelling benchmark here. That sounds about right! Clearly my REAL problem is that I can't just accept this show is a soap opera. I wonder if there's a twelve-step program for that...

[TVForever]

I love that The Young & the Restless is the storytelling benchmark here. That sounds about right! Clearly my REAL problem is that I can't just accept this show is a soap opera. I wonder if there's a twelve-step program for that...

         

       Oh yeah. It may be at night, with bigger production values, but this show is definitely a soap opera.

[thuganomics85]

While I won't hold the slap against Rayna too much, because I do think a lot of it was just purely out of shock and an emotional (if very bad) reaction, I will say that:

 

 

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.

Rayna getting mad at Deacon for holding info from her is certainly rich coming from Mrs. "Oh, yeah.  I've totally hid the fact Maddie's your kid for years and years.  Even continued to do so after we hooked up again."

 

But, yeah.  I do think "The Slap" probably wasn't the right call.  I would have even been annoyed if it was Juliette to Avery, if he did something stupid.  I wish they found a better way.

Edited March 5, 2015 by thuganomics85

[TOL]

Who will do the slapping when it's determined that Maddie is Deacon's only tissue match?

[madam magpie]

Who will do the slapping when it's determined that Maddie is Deacon's only tissue match?

Me!

[DeLurker]

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.

I wouldn't think The Slap meets the legal definition of domestic violence for the reasons that you say but I think also they normally look for a pattern or history of abuse that isn't present here.  But the show's history of male-on-male violence has never been presented as DV (although it can and does happen IRL).  That's just been plain punk behavior.

 

I do think it was the cheap and easy way for the writers to show how MELODRAMATIC! the news was to Rayna.  They should have had more faith in CE and CB to carry the scene without going that route.  On top of that, it being in the same ep/season of Sadie's DV storyline just was a dumbass decision.

 

At least Daphne got more lines this ep.  And damn it!  Teddy should have been able to see them perform.

 

Haven't been a fan of Colt, but him going over to his Dad during the performance was nice.  And in that one moment, I did not hate Luke.  Who knew it could happen?

 

I liked gay song writer.

 

And I would have gone for a band name of Frog Cheese or Cheese Frog, although Whiskey Highway sounds pretty good too.

Edited March 5, 2015 by DeLurker

[Primetimer]

The emotions surrounding Rayna's Grand Ole Opry anniversary are too much for Poor Ole Deacon.

Read the story

[madam magpie]

I wouldn't think The Slap meets the legal definition of domestic violence for the reasons that you say but I think also they normally look for a pattern or history of abuse that isn't present here.  But the show's history of male-on-male violence has never been presented as DV (although it can and does happen IRL).  That's just been plain punk behavior.

 

I actually don't think we've really seen any domestic violence on this show except maybe Sadie being punched in the face, and even that strikes me more as plain assault since they're no longer...domestic. Even Deacon backhanding Rayna in the flashback wasn't abuse; it was just a drunk flailing about. That said, I also think it's the only realistic "punch" they've done on this show...except maybe when Beverly went after Scarlett? I forget if Beverly actually hit her. And there were a couple of bar fights; I guess drunk people do that. But all the rest--the ex punching Sadie on the porch, Deacon attacking Teddy on the lawn, Deacon attacking Luke on the other lawn, Luke driving to the Bluebird specifically to punch Deacon in the face--are equally ridiculous to me. It's super trashy, and not at all how I believe these people would behave. But again, I'm still working my program to accept the things I cannot change, and one of those things is that Connie Britton is on a frakkin soap opera.

Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sutton]

Looking at that last scene 5 times already she slaps him to stop him from talking. She can't bear to hear anymore of what he's telling her that he has cancer and he might die. Looking at that scene over and over Chip and Connie were amazing. Me, I couldn't stop the tears it was the best acting this season a long time coming. The chemistry between these two actors when they connect with each other is something this series should script more instead of trying to keep them apart. Now we have to wait until end of March for the next episode to finally get that talk we all have been waiting for. Deacon/Rayna need to have that honest talk on what they will do as a couple (?) together. Deacon needs to not hold anything back from her on his illness and I'm sure Rayna will make sure he gets the best medical doctors she can find. Emotional me on this episode, I finally get to see them desperately holding on to each other for dear life. What is it when Callie writes /directs an episode with Deacon/Rayna she puts it all out there and nails it every time with so much emotion/love between these two. Just looking at them you feel and see it so Callie keep writing please.

[MusicCityFan]

Good episode. Good music. How is Chip Esten not a bigger star? He's handsome and talented and sexy and full of heart & grit and vulnerable all at the same time. Agree that the slap was unnecessary but CB and CE are a couple of pros and I thought the scene was well done despite the seriously superfluous soapy slap. I think their scenes at the Opry were even better-- especially CB when Rayna was getting emotional introducing her girls and when CE (Deacon) was staring at Rayna during their duet. Such chemistry. Like John Ramos, I think I needed a cigarette too.

 

Who will do the slapping when it's determined that Maddie is Deacon's only tissue match?

Put me in line behind madam magpie and others who'll volunteer for slap duty on this one if it happens. But just don't think they'll go there. I am probably wrong but I still think it will be Teddy who gives up his liver. They're backing his politician character in a corner so donating his liver would allow him to either go on an extended leave of absence as mayor (and deflecting any potential scandal with mousy hooker) or maybe he just resigns altogether in the name of 'family sacrifice' before anything hits. And, the writers have already lobotomized Teddy at this point, so what's a liver, too? Seriously, this guy is an idiot. But this is Nashville so who knows?

 

Poor little adorable Daphne. Literally never in the spotlight. At this rate, maybe she'll get a Jan/Marsha Brady type subplot for herself- Maddie Maddie Maddie! I'd rather have a Daphne subplot at this point than Jeff. Unlike others, don't care for him or the Layla/Jeff pairing- serious ick factor for me. I hope they don't make the Maddie/Colt romance bigger in terms of screen time- too many people already.

 

Thought/hoped they were done with evil Pete but clearly not--not good. What was the point of the Bucky/Luke interaction? Never seemed in previous episodes that they really had any sort of friendship- so am assuming at some point that Luke asks Bucky to come to his label?

 

Still loving the SAG trio and that storyline. Would have preferred just the Exes over Triple Exes (or XXXs?).  But so enjoy their singing. Anybody else think that as good as SAG sound is- that  the ZAG sound was maybe better? Probably in the minority here on that. But the actors have great onstage chemistry and Scarlett, Avery, and Gunnar always seem to be having such a joyful time-it's infectious. I actually think Gunnar has better (nonstage) chemistry with Avery and Will than he had with Scarlett or Zoey. I also would have preferred their showing my man Avery having a bit of concern about being away so close to the pregnancy. As some have noted though, they'll probably gloss over this during this break between new episodes. Since next new scripted episode is April 1st (I think?) - maybe they just move the story ahead 2 or 3 weeks with XXXs returning to Nashville from their gig and Deacon/Rayna dealing with his cancer.

 

So missing Juliette-and Javery. Looking forward to when she's actually back and has more scenes (Her/Layla interaction could be interesting now that they are back on the same label). Do we know yet which episode has the arrival of Juliette/Avery's baby? Show, I know you will at some point, but please don't mess with them or the baby (yet).

[Bobcatkitten]

Whiskey frogs!

 

I didn't think Scarlett could top some of her horrid clothing but what the hell was she wearing on stage? 

[LadyHa]

This episode gave me the feels for the first time in quite a while on this show.  The final scene was pretty heartbreaking.

 

I didn't miss Juliette tonight!  Hayden is a great actor (I am still annoyed that she hasn't received much recognition via awards for this show), but there are so many characters already that it is nice when they pare some of the storylines down.  Also, I generally get more interested in the stories about the musician characters that are more obscure or up & coming as opposed the the lives of the big stars.

 

One quibble that I have is how Nashville handles last minute concerts- the characters always decide the night before that they are going to do a big concert appearance the next day.  Like no one ever seems to need to rehearse?  I don't care how great Rayna & Deacon are supposed to be - if they sing a harmonized duet that they haven't done together in many years, I would think that they would need to practice a bit first. And Maddie & Daphne can get ready for their Opry debut in one day?  There are many more examples, but this always takes me out of the show for a minute because I start thinking about it too much.

Also, Scarlet's boring doctor boyfriend = Deacon's boring vet girlfriend.

[DeLurker]

But Scarlet wasn't doing her convulsion dance, so that was a plus. We can't have everything.

I liked ZAG and thought they sounded better.

[AnnaRose]

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.

 

That's a good point I hadn't really considered.

 

I'm still deciding how I feel about Jeff and Layla. I like that they seem like two misfits who have found each other, but there's still a little creepy factor for me. Maybe it's the age difference- I'm not sure. But I'm not completely against it for now.

 

Yeah, in some ways I like them together and might actually be rooting for them... except that Jeff is mostly evil and misogynistic at his core... and I don't want Layla to get hurt.

 

When Layla blew him off about joining her for dinner, I wondered if his smirk was more negative than other people seem to have perceived.  Like he was thinking this was one more person (like Luke) who might end up turning on him or dropping him now that she is on her way.

 

 

ETA:  I kind of wish they would have gone with "Scarlett and Her Exes" - although I suppose that makes it seem like it's more her band and not a trio of equals.  Or just "The Exes" would have been preferable to me.  The Triple Xs sounds too porn-like.

Edited March 5, 2015 by AnnaRose

[DeLurker]

I never watched a whole lot of Friday Nights Light, but every time Rayna says "babe" I expect to see Couch Taylor/Kyle Chandler.

[MadeleineElster]

I get why everyone is upset with Teddy, but let's face it, he's just the top rung on the ladder of stupid where everyone on this show lives. 

At some point he's just fun comedy relief.

 

I have whiplash from the characters' mood/behavior shifts, Rayna's ridiculous slap being just the latest.  I have an idea.  He's sick-- so let's hit him.  That will help.  Remember that book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"?  I seem to recall a rule about not hitting.  I think these folks must have skipped that year of schooling. 

 

This show is eye-candy and fun, but frustrating because this is an excellent cast, a great concept, great music, and it devolves to the worst of soap opera when it could be so much more.  Oh well.  Can't stop watching regardless.

[FineWashables]

The Cheese Frogs.  Name the band The Cheese Frogs.

[FortKnox]

You know what I hate more than Rayna slapping Deacon? The fact afterwards Deacon told Rayna he was sorry. Uh no Rayna should be saying sorry to you.

[rubyred]

Music's back, yay.

 

I thought Scarlett was traumatized by arena touring. Why is it different as Tres Equis?

 

Jeff, never change. I liked that he realized he wouldn't be welcome at HY65; but then to say that Rayna got him fired? Um, no, you did x, y and z, Jeff. If you hadn't, Rayna wouldn't have had the ammunition to present to Mario Van Peebles. You got your own ass fired, Rayna was just the messenger. But I am not surprised, because Jeff has a problem.with.women. I don't care how hot his scenes with Layla are, this relationship will never end well, because Jeff doesn't have it in him.

 

The slap almost ruined the scene for me. Good thing CB and CE are such pros.

 

I think they're trying to make Luke happen by bringing on Colt, as his manpain has made him a newly sensitive dad blah blah blah. Woo-hoo, more beer and trucks songs!

 

Gunnar is so much more fun to watch in the light scenes. As soon as he gets romantic feels everything goes to hell. The post-its, his dudebro scenes with Avery and Will -- Gunnar at his best. Moping after Scarlett/Zoe/Micah - Gunnar at his worst.

 

Juliette better get her ass back in the studio because it looks like they're only going to have an EP to release for Sadie-- posthumously.

[Brinny]

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.  

 

I'm glad somebody took the time to actually go and look up the poor kid's name. (I actually wandered over to imdb to check after, since it was driving me crazy that I couldn't remember, but that just brought up my frustration as to why Rayna, Tandy and Lamar all had/have different last names. Le sigh.)

 

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.

 

When Scarlett and Avery broke up the first go around, she very briefly joined his old band and they were called "Avery's Exes". Gunnar also played with them and Avery (all heartbroken and forlorn, as he is wont to be) sadly watched them perform from afar. So, yeah. One out of those three should have been like, "Hey, remember when?" and thought up that band name without the help of Dr. Doogie, but smarts have never been front and centre on this show.

Edited March 5, 2015 by Brinny

[MizStaken]

Wasn't jeff married when he first came to town or has that been conviently forgotten?

I figure Sadie ain't long for this world.

And did the show say specifically that the songwriter guy is gay? I know he's supposed to be but I don't know if I missed him saying something about it. Is that why Will was being so difficult when they first met?

[Soup333]

Jeff, never change. I liked that he realized he wouldn't be welcome at HY65; but then to say that Rayna got him fired? Um, no, you did x, y and z, Jeff. If you hadn't, Rayna wouldn't have had the ammunition to present to Mario Van Peebles. You got your own ass fired, Rayna was just the messenger. But I am not surprised, because Jeff has a problem.with.women. I don't care how hot his scenes with Layla are, this relationship will never end well, because Jeff doesn't have it in him.

 

Preach.

 

I liked ZAG and thought they sounded better.

 

Sadly, I did too. I love Avery and Gunnar and Scarlett is cool, but I think ZAG sounded better overall. Maybe that's why Avery was dissatisfied with the song when they practiced earlier. Sad thing is, I like the song. I'm convinced he wrote it about Juliette. With lines like, "all I'll ever need is you" and "this is where I belong" and especially "two stars collide." Either he wrote it or everything he contributed to it was about her.

 

And did the show say specifically that the songwriter guy is gay? I know he's supposed to be but I don't know if I missed him saying something about it. Is that why Will was being so difficult when they first met?

 

Will and Gunnar had a conversation about the songwriter being gay and Will being reluctant to work with him because of it. As someone upthread said, the boy doth protest too much. 

[dcalley]

And did the show say specifically that the songwriter guy is gay? I know he's supposed to be but I don't know if I missed him saying something about it. Is that why Will was being so difficult when they first met?

Yes, Will and Gunnar talked about it. Will was wondering if it was a sign that Luke knew or suspected something.

 

Speaking of wondering if Luke suspects something, I am. Just a look he gave while talking about Will with Bucky made me wonder. Has Will actually signed an agreement with Luke yet, or can he still get out of it?

 

I've never been a fan of the punching between men on this show, either. I would have serious reservations about someone who's done what Deacon did to Luke on his lawn, for example. I try to forget it happened. But I think it's a lazy way to be "dramatic." Chip and Connie definitely didn't need the slap for that scene to be dramatic. And even though the two situations aren't the same, it was especially tone-deaf coming after Rayna had decried the violence that happened to Sadie.

[madam magpie]

You know what I hate more than Rayna slapping Deacon? The fact afterwards Deacon told Rayna he was sorry. Uh no Rayna should be saying sorry to you.

That was OK with me because I do think Deacon is sorry. He blames himself for the liver disease because he drank so much. And he's always seen his alcoholism, on some level, as something he's done to Rayna that hurt her for years. I also really think she hit him for basically saying that out loud...saying she'd been right all along, he had killed himself with the drinking and now here they are having to face down that barrel after all. The implication of what Deacon said was...she was right to leave him, right to try and move on with someone else, etc. But she doesn't really believe that, so she was very angry to be proven right. I just think it could have all been conveyed more believably without her hitting him. That's not Rayna's style; she threw a glass once, but she's not really physically aggressive. She's never hit anyone, as I recall, not even her bratty kids. (Tami Taylor, on the other hand, TOTALLY once hit her bratty kid, but that was completely believable and she fell apart as a result.) Rayna, like most adults, is capable of collapsing in anger and misery without resorting to the soapy nonsense of a slap to the face of another adult.

 

I've never been a fan of the punching between men on this show, either. I would have serious reservations about someone who's done what Deacon did to Luke on his lawn, for example.

 

Yeah, see...me too. That's one of those things I have to pretend never happened or I have to change my whole opinion of the character of Deacon. In real life, if a guy I was interested in chased someone down on the lawn and punched him in the face just for calling me a name, I'd be horrified and leave him. I don't think it's heroic or romantic or passionate or any of that. I find it totally trashy and violent. However, if he accidentally elbowed me in the jaw while drunk, I'd probably forgive him.

 

I thought Scarlett was traumatized by arena touring. Why is it different as Tres Equis?

 

That's so last season. She was healed by the power of friendship, love, and cancer.

Edited March 5, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sutton]

My take on the slap was -- She slapped him to make him stop talking he was telling her he has cancer and he probably doesn't have long to live. Deacon saying he's sorry to her because he's hurting her again. That scene was a tearjerker.

[Soup333]

That was OK with me because I do think Deacon is sorry. He blames himself for the liver disease because he drank so much. And he's always seen his alcoholism, on some level, as something he's done to Rayna that hurt her for years. I also really think she hit him for basically saying that out loud...saying she'd been right all along, he had killed himself with the drinking and now here they are having to face down that barrel after all. The implication of what Deacon said was...she was right to leave him, right to try and move on with someone else, etc. But she doesn't really believe that, so she was very angry to be proven right. I just think it could have all been conveyed more believably without her hitting him. That's not Rayna's style; she threw a glass once, but she's not really physically aggressive. She's never hit anyone, as I recall, not even her bratty kids. (Tami Taylor, on the other hand, TOTALLY once hit her bratty kid, but that was completely believable and she fell apart as a result.) Rayna is capable of collapsing in anger and misery without resorting to the soapy nonsense of a slap to the face of another adult.

 

 

Yeah, see...me too. That's one of those things I have to pretend never happened or I have to change my whole opinion of the character of Deacon. In real life, if a guy I was interested in chased someone down on the lawn and punched him in the face just for calling me a name, I'd be horrified and leave him. I don't think it's heroic or romantic or passionate or any of that. I find it totally trashy and violent. However, if he accidentally elbowed me in the jaw while drunk, I'd probably forgive him.

 

Julie SO deserved that slap.

 

One of the things that has happened with the male on male violence on this show is that it has often times had other underlying factors. Will fighting the two dudes who messed with Brett and his date was really about Will's frustration and inner turmoil (and love for Brett). Gunnar kicking Avery's ass for talking about Scarlett was also about Gunnar being angry with Jason. I feel the same way about Deacon/Luke on Deacon's lawn. It was about the name calling, but there was a whole season of build-up behind that fight.

 

And I can't fault Deacon for attacking Teddy after finding out about Maddie. He gets a total pass from me on that one. I'm nonviolent as hell, but if there ever was a reason to lose your shit, that was it.

 

I think even Luke punching Deacon outside of whatever venue that was that night was about more than just the proposal. I think Luke has always felt inferior to Deacon as far as Rayna was concerned. I think it was about his fear that Deacon would always be there hanging around, interfering in the relationship and that Rayna wouldn't truly be his woman. Hell, he said as much himself when Rayna talked to him after the wedding was called off. 

 

Now, one thing that did seem out of character to me was Jolene hitting Juliette when she went to rehab. Juliette said she was sometimes violent but I don't know, I didn't get that from her. From Beverly, absolutely. But I read Jolene as more neglectful than violent. If she would have just been lashing out because she was afraid to go to rehab...this is old news. And I'm procrastinating because I have work to do still. 

[Infie]

relating to Gunnar on the tour bus: He joined the tour to songwrite with Luke, not as a performer. He didn't perform with the tour at any point.

[madam magpie]

Julie SO deserved that slap.

 

Right?! Ohmygod. Bring her over here so I can slap her again.

 

I think that's usually the way it is with violence that's not self-defense, though. There's always something underneath that bubbles up and lashes out. It's the same thing with namecalling. Calm people don't generally call each other names. But the thing is that most people day-to-day control themselves and don't just go around punching people out. And when they do snap, it's a serious situation that calls for some kind of reflection...a la, Tami confessing to Eric, sobbing on the couch, and wondering what was happening to her family. But this show acts like it's perfectly normal for people to go around hitting each other. I really hate that, I have to say. It pulls me out of the story.

 

I forgot about Jolene hitting Juliette. I guess I bought that because I have no trouble seeing addicts as violent.

Edited March 6, 2015 by madam magpie

[mjc570]

 

I found Jeff/Oliver/whoever really hot tonight

 

Man, I'll say. 

[dmc]

Love Deacon and Rayna. Luke didn't for once annoy me.<br /><br /><br />My take on Jeff and Layla <br /><br />I agree they are more interesting to watch but the reason is because their relationship is toxic and we are wondering who will screw the other over first? My money is on Layla. I don't care for her character and I still think they will change her again when it suits them but I think she will get big and decide she doesn't need Jeff. But this is not a love story. That is why it's working, when they tried to sell it that way it didn't work. Jeff has no power and he is using what little he has on Layla. Right now, it's fine because she needs him but when she doesn't she will tire of his insults and turn on him. Jeff is still Jeff insulting her left and right like he does

[MizStaken]

Thanks for setting me straight so to speak, about the songwriter guy. Guess I missed that when I went to take a shower. Rewatching now.

[GenieinTX]

Charles Esten's face when Deacon and Rayna were singing their duet was lethal.

 

Oh my, yes it was.  A man that gorgeous looking at me like that would make me weak in the knees.

[Muffyn]

I have whiplash from the characters' mood/behavior shifts, Rayna's ridiculous slap being just the latest.  I have an idea.  He's sick-- so let's hit him.  That will help.  Remember that book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"?  I seem to recall a rule about not hitting.  I think these folks must have skipped that year of schooling. 

It could have been worse.  She could have punched him in the liver to really drive her point home.  

[lucindahead]

I didn't mind the slap, because this show, no matter what its pretensions, is a soap opera.  The most convincing and engaging characters--Juliette and Avery--are played by actors who have soap opera training. Most everyone else goes for a level of earnestness that just doesn't work with the contortions of character in the service of an overdramatized and underplanned plot. Canceling a wedding the morning of, hiding paternity, or punching someone makes you an asshole, but these are soap staples.

 

I wish Will would come out already so the show could perhaps do interesting things with gay cowboy masculinity instead of dragging out this tired b.s.

Edited March 6, 2015 by lucindahead

[LotusFlower]

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?

But that's like saying maybe Sadie's ex hit her because of his own bottled feelings, or issues a, b, or c. It's just not ok.

And speaking of ex's...

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.

My vote goes for: Teddy and The Prostitutes.

Honorable Mention: Charlotte's Web.

(You guys are funny!)

[shron17]

My take on the slap was -- She slapped him to make him stop talking he was telling her he has cancer and he probably doesn't have long to live. Deacon saying he's sorry to her because he's hurting her again. That scene was a tearjerker.

 

This is the only reason that makes sense to me.  It is out of character for Rayna to lash out in anger.  I think it came out of shock and desperation to stop what was happening.  There was no time for her to process and build up anger about any of those other things.  If it was out of anger she would have turned away, not sobbed into his shoulder.

 

I didn't mind the slap, because this show, no matter what its pretensions, is a soap opera.  The most convincing and engaging characters--Juliette and Avery--are played by actors who have soap opera training. Most everyone else goes for a level of earnestness that just doesn't work with the contortions of character in the service of an overdramatized and underplanned plot.

 

As a viewer who enjoys the earnestness over the drama, this makes sense to me in that I generally don't care for Juliette's story lines.  But still, I'm not convinced it is only a soap opera.  Rather I think while some of the soap opera elements you mention are present, they at least some of the time play out in a more complex way.  E.g. it's clear now that Rayna's crash was necessary in that it was just about the only thing that would have been a real obstacle between her and Deacon.  Even so her conviction to move away from their relationship completely wasn't believable to some. Teddy and the prostitute was over-dramatic for sure, but I do buy the idea that he would do just about anything to keep his daughters from finding out. So for now at least, the realism I see in this show is enough for me.

Edited March 6, 2015 by shron17

[Skycatcher]

When Deacon and Rayna were holding hands watching Vince Gill announce her, just as she walked on stage she said something to Deacon.  Did anyone catch what she said?

 

My pet peeve - when the music is so loud you can't understand the words being sung.

[MisterS]

I also took the slap as an irrational response to shut Deacon up, out of shock and to stop whatever was being revealed from happening. It didn't ring false to me in that scene, which for me was really sad and totally convincing.

I can't believe that we have to wait four weeks to see what happens! I also can't believe that I care about that when this show is so inconsistent - so compelling in parts (Deacon and Rayna and their issues mainly, so much so that I didn't even notice until later that Juliet wasn't around this week) and so dire in others. What ARE they doing with Teddy? He missed his own daughters Opry debut? This is in character I guess as he has been an idiot lately but the prostitute story is entirely superfluous and I can't think that anyone watching cares in the slightest. Why cut away from a good part of the show - the Stella sisters singing - to invest in it? Once again, poor Eric Close.

I like Sadie but is it me or does her story seems randomly tacked on to everything else?

Was the Oliver Hudson/Layla kissing supposed to be a love thing or a power struggle? Either way it was really unsexy. Although I am vaguely interested in what happens to them and to Layla.

When Deacon and Rayna were holding hands watching Vince Gill announce her, just as she walked on stage she said something to Deacon. Did anyone catch what she said?.

Rayna said "Come sing with me" to Deacon.

Edited March 6, 2015 by MisterS

[FineWashables]

I wouldn't mind if Sadie's ex took a shot at her and fatally hit Luke instead.  He doesn't particularly appeal to me, and he's got the personality of roadkill.  There was barely a story line for him when he was with Rayna; now that they've broken up, there's no reason to keep him around.

[Sandman]

Not for nothing, but I will admit that I'm occasionally and momentarily confused by the fact that Chris Carmack used to play a macho dunderhead called "Luke," and now plays a fellow named "Will" and Will Chase plays a macho dunderhead named "Luke"? It's just me, right?

[MisterS]

I wouldn't mind if Sadie's ex took a shot at her and fatally hit Luke instead.  He doesn't particularly appeal to me, and he's got the personality of roadkill.  There was barely a story line for him when he was with Rayna; now that they've broken up, there's no reason to keep him around.

 

I think the writers are trying to rehabilitate Luke as a likeable character with a likeable son/bf for Maddie and also a new record label.  It's working for me to the extent that I don't have to ff through his scenes. I like him more now he's not with Rayna and is a potential business rival for her.

[madam magpie]

As a viewer who enjoys the earnestness over the drama, this makes sense to me in that I generally don't care for Juliette's story lines. But still, I'm not convinced it is only a soap opera. Rather I think while some of the soap opera elements you mention are present, they at least some of the time play out in a more complex way.

On some level, I think this is true. It feels to me like the show's creators struggle with what it actually is, though. I can only guess as to why: maybe they think soaps bring in more viewers, maybe the network is giving them grief (this is the network of things like Scandal and The Bachelor, after all), maybe they just like the melodrama. I really have no idea, though Callie Khouri has mainly created overblown soapy-type stories, so it could also just be that. But I don't think the show began soapy, and I don't think something has to be a soap to include very dramatic elements. For the run of the show, the soapiest plot (Rayna's secret baby) actually played, for me, as the most heartbreaking and believable. There were always elements I had trouble wrapping my brain around, but for the most part, it worked for me, I got it, I believed it, and I was interested in watching her struggle with it. In the last year or so, though, I think they've definitely deviated into major soap territory. Not just because of things like Rayna slapping Deacon or Teddy's hooker or (good god) the pork blood, but because of how they actually leave scenes. They rarely finish anything--with Rayna and Deacon especially. Even that scene in Wednesday's show where he tells her he's sick, it just stops right at the moment when resolution shoud begin. It's as though they feel like Rayna/Deacon have to be overblown melodrama and cliffhangers to keep people coming back, which I find bizarre because I liked Rayna and Deacon much more in the first seascon. Alcoholism and secret babies are enough drama to keep them interersting. And the show didn't used to do that. Back in season one, Rayna and Deacon would see conversations through. I remember that time in the park when Rayna was trying to explain why she'd canceled the tour. That played all the way to a resolution of Deacon getting up and leaving the park; the problem was unresolved, but the conversation was complete. Now they just stop in the middle of the conversation, and that's where most of the soapy feel comes from for me. Things like Rayna slapping Deacon are just extra, though it's hard for me to remember and it always annoys me as I watch it.

I read an interview with Callie Khouri once where she said Connie Britton does refuse to do some soapy things. She balks any time she's asked to do one of those long, lingering end shots, for example, where the camera remains on the actor's angry/sad/whatever face while dramatic music plays..."smell the fart" acting, I think Joey called it on Friends. Callie said something like, "She just refuses to do it." So it seems to me that there is disagreement about what kind of show this is. Personally, I prefer the first season feel. But I also don't like soap operas at all for most the reasons I complain about this show. If Nashville had been presented as the soapy hybrid it is now, I don't think I'd have stuck around. Now, of course, I want to know what happens!

Edited March 6, 2015 by madam magpie

[LadyMustang65]

Great episode.  I think they should have gone with Whiskey Highway as well, but wish they had used just "The Exes" instead of Triple X.  I agree - a bit too porn sounding.  But that was a really fun and silly bit.  Loved the music.  Loved that Scarlett finally told Deacon exactly what he was doing to her by insisting she keep his secret.  I find the Jeff/Layla relationship a bit 'off.'  I like that they are finally showing us that Jeff actually does have some feel for the music business and how to be successful.  He came off as kind of an incompetent idiot for most of the previous seasons because we never really saw him making any smart decisions - just trying to throw his weight around and show how 'important' he was.  Now that all that power is gone, he's finally getting back his real business sense.  And we're seeing he is smart enough to know that he can't be the front man for Layla - he has to manage from behind the scenes for now.  Which is actually good for her because she's learning a few things.  I expect she'll dump him at some point because she won't need him any more. 

 

I'm also glad that Sadie went public about what happened.  I agree that Pete is not going to take this lightly, but this is something she needed to do.  My hope is that if Pete goes after Sadie, he is the one who ends up dead and not her.  I'd even be okay with Luke being the guy to put him in the ground.  Just as long as someone does.  I am totally with her in that I'm angry that that pig is getting rich off of her, and while I know the agreement was faster, easier and cheaper, part of me still wishes she had let it go to court and let a judge decide if that napkin contract was valid.

 

Does anyone know what is happening the next few weeks?  We had a long break and then just a few episodes and now we're back to another 4 weeks before the next episode.  Is this because of "March Madness" maybe? 

[Sandman]

Any refusal by Britton to perform some of those hoary old soap clichés might not indicate disagreement or confusion over what genre the show falls into so much as simple good taste.

[madam magpie]

Any refusal by Britton to perform some of those hoary old soap clichés might not indicate disagreement or confusion over what genre the show falls into so much as simple good taste.

Oh sure. That's true too. But I don't think showrunners on Orphan Black or even Friday Night Lights were really trying to get actors to do it, either. That technique is a soap staple and they do it on this show. We ended the show with one from Deacon on Wednesday.

LadyMustang: didn't we get a big hiatus last year too? I think you must be right about March Madness. Also, my guess is that they want the finale to air during sweeps in May, so that scheduling probably plays a role too.

[Soup333]

Maybe they felt the resolution of that last scene would have taken too much time and also any conversation they would have had afterwards would have taken away from the immediate emotion of the cancer reveal. The more I think about it, I'm not sure how else they could have played it unless the reveal came earlier in the episode (requiring them to cut some scenes with Jeff I would hope). 

 

I wonder if there'll be a time jump in the next episode. THAT would be unfair.

 

But that's like saying maybe Sadie's ex hit her because of his own bottled feelings, or issues a, b, or c. It's just not ok.
 

 

I don't think it's okay. I also don't think Rayna's slap and Pete's punch are an apples to apples comparison. But surely Pete does have issues or else he wouldn't have beat Sadie when they were together. I'd say that's fairly obvious. I don't know his character well enough to comment on what drives him to be abusive, nor do I care about his background. But in that particular moment on her porch, I'd say that he punched her to scare her, intimidate her and remind her of what he's capable of. To that end, he was successful.

 

What I'm saying about Rayna is that it's not her nature to react in a violent way. In the two and three quarters seasons that we've known this character, she has never pulled a Luke and just gone off throwing shit and running over cakes as an IMMEDIATE reaction. The only time she did react with even a hint of violence was after her father died and even then, only after days of pushing down her emotions and claiming to be okay. After the funeral, when she was back at the mansion surrounded by his things is when the dam broke and she finally became emotional.

 

In that moment, when she and Deacon just had that great night and she was finally ready to move forward in their relationship the cancer reveal was just too damn much of a shock for her to deal with in her usual way. That is my explanation for the slap. I still don't think it was necessary; I think the scene could have been just as powerful without it. But I understand why some people are not bothered by it.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Soup333

[fastiller]

 

Still loving the SAG trio and that storyline. Would have preferred just the Exes over Triple Exes (or XXXs?).  Bu

 

 

 

 

 

ETA:  I kind of wish they would have gone with "Scarlett and Her Exes" - although I suppose that makes it seem like it's more her band and not a trio of equals.  Or just "The Exes" would have been preferable to me.  The Triple Xs sounds too porn-like.

 

 

 

Thirding the recommendation for "The Exes".

[Soup333]

Is it Triple X or Triple Exes?