Nashville Spoilers and Speculation

[airwair]

Sides suggest a Markus related argument in 9 and then they're very tense in episode 10 leading all the way up to the bridge where they ultimately set a date.

The thought of them faking us out with a break-up is only my speculation because I can't see these writers giving us a wedding date so easily, especially in the midseason finale. They have to have some sort of shocker and with Layla not appearing, Jeff already being dead so no shocking death, and Juliette on hiatus I can't imagine what else there could be to throw us off.

Plus, Scarlett already cut her hair and that may have been the biggest shock of the series.

Also, while the argument in 9 is obviously Markus related and petty, I think it's going to escalate and bring up a lot of non-Markus related stuff which would lead them to be at a crossroads. That's just my speculation again because i refuse to believe they'd have them at a crossroads because of one dumb cocky character after everything they've been through.

[Ashley87]

Thanks for explaining that. Sounds bloody awful, oh god why can't they make them happy?

[airwair]

They will be. The wedding is coming soon. They're filming it as we speak.

We've taken three full seasons of roadblocks. A couple of episodes of petty nonsense won't kill us. :)

[madam magpie]

It won't, but it's bullshit and not how people behave. The fact that the writers constantly pull stuff like that is why the audience can't ever trust any of the characters on this show. Two really screwed up people who adore each other battling to make their relationship work is interesting. Two unreliable personalities who say/do things that are flipped on their head a week later are not. To me, anyway.

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Ashley87]

Thanks Airwair. I know about the wedding - really looking forward to that. Hope they can let them be happy for the rest of the season, but I doubt there's much chance of that.

[madam magpie]

I don't need them to be all sunshine and roses happy exactly...but I do need to be able to trust them. If they don't trust each other, that's ok and sort of believable, but not for any long term. They've been doing that for the last couple of episodes and it's been interesting and shown evolution. It's also been very romantic. But "I don't trust you and think you have the capacity to be a dirty cheater, let's get married in an ostentatious, out-of-character way" just isn't my idea of romantic or evolution. Plus, one thing that was cool about Rayna and Deacon from the start was that they were in this extreme business and environment and they could do showy as an act on stage. But their true selves were quiet and relaxed. That's a neat contrast and shows the connection the characters have to each other.

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Clemgo3165]

I think Deacon's insecurities will be showing for the next couple of episodes. I don't think he really believes Rayna would cheat, but he darn sure believes that Markus wants her and you could tell in the last episode that Markus was headed down that path. They've bonded now and are seemingly working happily together, closely.

 

Throw in a Deacon song that Rayna says she likes better when Markus performs it, the girls, no movement on a wedding, and what happens when you have a new liver, a dead sister, and a new business and Deacon's bound to be feeling a little shaky. Rayna probably doesn't think anything of being a little flirty with the talent to get the job done, but Deacon knows what flirting with the talent leads to - at least in his case anyway ;)

 

I just hope that the big wedding doesn't start out with a "well let's just get married then if that'll make you feel more secure."

[madam magpie]

Amen! Deacon being generally insecure is ok I guess. He could also say something awful to Rayna about Markus and being flirty while they make the album together. There just really can't be anything from Rayna. She needs to think the whole thing is dumb and Deacon's being silly and he can't tell her what to do. Whatever. But nothing real. That'll kill it. And I'd prefer one of them didn't threaten to walk away either. I'm tired of that. But they can fight. Chip and Connie do great fights.

Airwair...Also, do you mean you know Deacon is going to get a new ring? Why the hell would he do that??? They have a ring!

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sutton]

Rayna was never a cheater the 13 years she was married to Teddy. Even Teddy knew because he asked her "Did you sleep with him? NO. But you wanted too" Having them now have trust issues about cheating is ridiculous.  They both waited for each other free of a spouse/girlfriend and now they question each other on cheating. It doesn't make any sense. Did Rayna forget the vows her and Deacon said to each other before the surgery "I Rayna take thee to be my husband, I Deacon take thee to be my wife." Are we to forget, I know it's not legal but should they ask for an annulment. (I'm pissed) Deacon being a little jealous, I can go with that but trust issues after all they have/we have gone through NOW is so wrong. 

 

I don't know where this series is going with this but if HAPPY isn't in their vocabulary when writing two soul mates finally reaching what they have wanted/waited for the last 13 years and now question can she be trusted to not cheat. That is not the character of Rayna Jaymes since the beginning of Season #1. 

 

I'm with you MM on describing Deacon/Rayna characters they do showy as an act on stage but were true selves quiet and relaxed off stage.

[airwair]

We don't know that he's getting a new ring, but Rayna is in possession of the old one (at least she was the last time we had track of it) so he couldn't really yank it out and surprise us with it on the bridge. (unless she yanks it out and decides a date needs to be set. That'd be a twist.)

And in my opinion the thing is cursed and not at all attractive so I'm totally on board for something new. :)

[madam magpie]

Whaaaaaat?! I love that ring! It's simple and quiet.

He could get it back from her. At least this time they live in same house. Remember when she threw it at him in the flashback and then miraculously had it back years later? Or when he fished it out of the memorial pile with only one good hand? All he had to do now is going into her jewelry box.

But that said, I think Rayna should ask him this time. She's turned him down three times (well, two and a half-ish?) so I wish it would come from her.

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[airwair]

I like it as a band but not so much as a proper engagement ring. She definitely doesn't need 7-carats, though. Don't mistake that.

I just feel like they've passed the thing back and forth so much with all this pain attached. Isn't it kind of tainted?

ETA: I also like the idea of her asking him. Maybe that'll be the shocker.

Edited November 23, 2015 by airwair

[madam magpie]

I like it as a band but not so much as a proper engagement ring. She definitely doesn't need 7-carats, though. Don't mistake that.

I just feel like they've passed the thing back and forth so much with all this pain attached. Isn't it kind of tainted?.

I see it more as representing resilience. The logistics of who has it have always been dumb, but the fact that Rayna held on to it for so long speaks to a commitment. Under pretty extreme circumstances, she kept the baby and the ring, which says a lot about what she values and what Deacon is for her. Same with him and the river house. Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sutton]

I see it more as representing resilience. The logistics of who has it have always been dumb, but the fact that Rayna held on to it for so long speaks to a commitment. Under pretty extreme circumstances, she kept the baby and the ring, which says a lot about what she values and what Deacon is for her. Same with him and the river house.

 

'She kept the baby and the ring" Thanks MM for reminding us just what the ring and baby meant to her all those years. So we are lead to believe that someone (don't want to say who it might be) has trust issues after all of that is so wrong on so many levels. 

[madam magpie]

I think it could be believable that Deacon doesn't totally trust the relationship, actually. He's lost Rayna so many times that I can see him being sensitive about that. But not to trust her not to cheat? No. That's dumb.

I also think it's totally believable for him to be crazy jealous of Rayna spending so much time making an album with Markus. That's something Rayna/Deacon did together for ages, and watching her having that experience with someone else could be hard since Rayna/Deacon haven't done it in awhile. Add in that she likes Markus's take on Deacon's song, and I get him feeling jealous. But it has to blow over with little damage!

I think it would also be reasonable for Rayna not to trust that Deacon won't just bail on her (emotionally or literally) because he's done that so many times. I can see her flat-out asking him if he really wants to do this with her. She sort of did that last week with Maddie. It's just that the answer is so obviously "yes" that he should crack the moment she brings it up. Like she should if he tells her how he's lost her so many times. They can be insecure; it just has to be resolved fairly easily because none of these problems are real. That's what they've been doing, and it's been great.

And then they can get married, which ought be good for both of them. They've kind of made it here before, but it's like this is the point they can't seem to get past. But Rayna CANNOT be into Markus at all.

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Clemgo3165]

I can't imagine Rayna being into Markus in that way. I think she found last week that he's not a total douchebag and that they can work together very productively and that she enjoys that. She's enjoying making the music and making the album, she's also enjoying him now. But that doesn't mean she want to sleep with him. Markus is another story though and I think Deacon's probably right that he wants to sleep with her.

[madam magpie]

Oh for sure. I think that's definitely true. But so what? If Rayna and Deacon are in a good place, why should it matter who wants to sleep with her? Rayna's got to be free to do her job, and I suspect that has always sort of included flirting with people in one way or another: whether it's an audience, a deejay, a label head, Markus. She needs him to finish his album and make her some money. If she has to hand hold and flirt to get him there, I mean...so be it. I think it's sort of reasonable for Deacon to get upset because for most of their lives, she's been doing that with him. Their sexual energy is totally a part of their performance. It always meant much more than what was on the surface, though, and they both knew it, so I guess I can see him going into a blind rage when he sees her doing that with someone else. But she needs to shut it down. The more I think about it, I can see how this would escalate. She tells Deacon he's being dumb and changes nothing. He gets worse and tries to tell her what to do, or worse, accuses her of liking it. She gets madder and does it more. Etc. That may be ok too, but it can't be something they'd legitimately maybe break up over. (We know they don't break up, but still.) Are we really supposed to believe Deacon would leave her for that? This is her job. He didn't leave her for 14 years when she was married to someone else. Now she's sleeping with Deacon, living with him, raising kids together, and he may be like, "You like Markus's song and gave him sexy eyes on stage. Boo! I'm done!" And that leads to an ostentatious wedding? Like...what?! That makes no sense. I hope it's nuanced, but these writers...I don't trust them.

Edited November 23, 2015 by madam magpie

[Clemgo3165]

I don't trust them either, but I'm hoping that all it does is bring out his insecurities about everything. There's been a lot of change in both their lives and now that the dust has settled on the cancer/transplant/death what now?

 

I can't imagine him saying he's done. Sleeping on the couch maybe, but not saying he's done. Rayna either. They love each other and have been working through all of their issues so far, I don't think this will be any different. 

 

I'm curious about the timeline though. We know they have a bridge talk, there's Markus' concert downtown, and in the same episode The Beverly (ugh!) has its grand opening - what's the order of all of these things?

[airwair]

The bridge is definitely after the Markus concert. I think the Beverly opening is after the bridge but I'm not positive.

[Sutton]

Is that when he gives her the ring and proposes and they set a date? Please let it be because I personally can't go through another breakup, them being apart and the series doesn't get renewed.

[madam magpie]

Sutton: Don't worry. They get married in episode 4x12.

Edited November 24, 2015 by madam magpie

[Sutton]

THANKS MM for that little pick me up. I want HAPPY. Arguing, getting mad at each other for some foolish flirting when singing on stage but walking off stage into the arms of the only man she has ever loved since she was 16 years old makes me a HAPPY fan. Episode 4x12 that's 2 more that I have to watch before the HAPPY WEDDING DAY episode.

AIRWAIR who wrote episode 4x12? Someone I hope who loves Deacon and Rayna as the end game.

[airwair]

The wedding is episode 11. It'll be the first one back after winter hiatus. It was written by Monica and Dana.

Deb Fordham wrote episode 10 which has the scene on the bridge.

[madam magpie]

Oh! 4x11...even better!

[airwair]

Official press release for 4x10...

WILL MARKUS KEEN HAVE A “GOOD MORNING” ON HIS LIVE TELEVISED CONCERT? FIND OUT ON ABC’S “NASHVILLE” DECEMBER 9

“We’ve Got Nothing But Love To Prove” – It’s a big morning for Markus Keen when “Good Morning America” comes to Nashville to broadcast a live concert in support of his new album launch, but come show time, Markus finds he’s anything but ready. Meanwhile, Luke’s relationship with Colt continues to be strained while Luke learns of another setback to launching his brand. And living in the same house, but feeling further apart than ever, Rayna and Deacon face a big decision on “Nashville,” WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m., EST) on the ABC Television Network.

“Nashville” stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad, Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad and Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant.

Guest starring are Riley Smith as Markus Keen, Keann Johnson as Colt Wheeler, Scout Taylor-Compton as Erin, Cynthia McWilliams as Gabriella Manning, Josh Cox as Wade Cole, Mark Collie as Frankie, Nick Jandl as Dr. Caleb Rand, Jessy Schram as Cash Gray and Sumalee Montano as Dr. Kitley.

“We’ve Got Nothing But Love to Prove” was written by Debra Fordham and directed by Arlene Sanford.

"Big decision."

They're totally faking us out with a break up.

I was hoping I was wrong.

[madam magpie]

Of course they will! Because they can't think of anything else. I've said it before, but I swear...this show is like a boyfriend who beats me. It's unhealthy.

 

Also, it should be "farther apart than ever," not "further." Come on, Nashville!

Edited November 24, 2015 by madam magpie

[Clemgo3165]

That"s really a little much, isn't it? Farther apart than EVER? Like farther apart than after the accident even? I call promo B.S.

[madam magpie]

http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/nashville/photos/

You guys! I didn't know Karen from Falling Skies was going to be on this show! I mean, sure, half the time I think she's Brittany Snow, but whatever. She's great!

P.S. On second thought, I think I have to take back my "farther" complaint because they probably meant metaphorical distance (rather than physical distance). But still! I'll get 'em next time.

Edited November 24, 2015 by madam magpie

[MisterS]

I've said it before, but I swear...this show is like a boyfriend who beats me. It's unhealthy.

I feel your pain. If the writing was better they could introduce lots of great stories for R/D about working through issues in a long term relationship - not many relationships are all plain sailing and as they are both so messed up there's loads of material. A third party doesn't need to be introduced to cause them problems - please!

Maybe the writers will get it right? They sometimes do with R and D, although they did torture me for the best part of three seasons so I'm not 100% confident, even with the prospect of a wedding.

I can't help thinking that Rayna and Deacon would be amazing on a better written show e.g. FNL (I know it's been said before) as Tami's disfunctional singing twin sister and her disfunctional alcoholic man child soulmate boyfriend. That would have been great.

Edited November 24, 2015 by MisterS

[pattycat]

I wonder, does Rayna go to the Beverly opening, for Deacon?

We see him, at the concert.

Although, it might not be anyone's favorite story, opening that bar/club, in memory of the Sister, who saved his life, is Huge for him. While there might have been better options, his heart is in the right place. I can't imagine going thru that experience!

Rayna getting Marcus launched, the concert. Technically, that might be more important; it's not just Rayna, that's depending on Marcus succeeding. The whole label is.

But, you also have your Man, who has been thru hell, launching something that means the world to him. I hope, she at least appears!

Of course, in RL, would you not have made sure, both events, were not on the same night?

[Clemgo3165]

There's a pic of the girls smiling in what appears to be The Beverly - sitting in the pews Deacon mentioned last ep and in dresses. I'm hoping that's Rayna making an appearance at the opening. Can't imagine she wouldn't be there.

[madam magpie]

I'm moving this in here from the episode thread because it seems like spoilers; I don't think people know Rayna and Deacon are getting married yet, do they?

I have to assume Tandy is making an appearance because Rayna told her that she is going to marry Deacon, so for her to come and try again to talk Rayna out of marring him is one big waste of screen time. I hope she remembers that Deacon is the only man Rayna has ever been IN LOVE with and is there to support her in that decision. When the hell is this series going to lift Deacon up instead of always knocking him down. Are they ever going to give this character back the confidence, strength in caring for other people like he had in season #1. With all his problems in season #1 we had a character that had confidence in himself as a person, talented guitarist, musician, song writer and someone who was always there if a friend needed help.. Yes, he was sad at the way his life was going but after the Maddie secret was finally in the open I would have thought that the series would get him on the right track as a father to a 13 yrs old but I was so wrong. I'm just so sick and tired of them always putting him down, it seems he can never do anything right no matter how hard he tries. It's like the big question when is Deacon Claybourne going to fall off the wagon and become an alcoholic again. Sick of it, it's getting old lets move on he knows it's one day at a time, we all know that so stop waiting for him to take that drink.

MM this series never gives a clear reason on why Rayna does what she does. They always leave out the important parts that make sense in trying to figure out her decisions especially that promise to Teddy on not telling Deacon that he had a daughter. What was that promise she agreed to when Maddie was born ,not ever to tell Deacon and why did she go along with it for so many years knowing Deacon was sober all 13 yrs. Yes, I know she gave Deacon the reason "How do you blow up your child's life." That still is the torn in my side, we never got an explanation on that bad decision. I loved the Rayna character in season #1 but grew to dislike her after finding out she never is accountable for her mistakes, decisions or whatever you want to call them.

Venting, sorry but Thursday night is going to be a game changer for me. I"m assuming (that's bad to start with) what's going to happen because I don't trust the writers or Callie. This series was suppose to be her baby and boy did she drop the ball big time.

Deacon is an alcoholic. The fact that it keeps coming up is completely reasonable and believable, and he should have to confront it for the rest of his life. By default, the people who love him have to confront it too. The fact that Rayna may marry him without ever even discussing this is INSANE to me. "Why don't you believe in me," "Baby, I'm sorry," "Trust me," etc. are all the lines Deacon would have fed her for years, yet Rayna is behaving now as though he's got the drinking beaten, it's no big deal, and they should just barrel on ahead. Even as many of the behaviors that came with the drinking are subtlety still there. Not to mention that Deacon's drinking was set up in season one as the single roadblock that had diverted the entire course of their life together. It was the catalyst every bad decision that came after. Rayna just deciding one day that, "nope, she's done with Luke, she's going to be with Deacon because that's true love, and that's it," and Deacon going along with that, shows me that neither of them has learned anything. So if Tandy wants to come in and talk trash about how her sister is an idiot for marrying a drunk, so be it. She watched him ruin her sister for years. Much as I love Rayna and Deacon together, I sort of feel the same way. Edited November 30, 2015 by madam magpie

[Clemgo3165]

Judith Hoag just posted a lovely pic on Twitter of her in what looks for all the world like the adult version of a bridesmaid's dress - she looks lovely. Tandy may check in with Rayna to make sure she knows what she's getting into, but the fact that Deacon and Rayna have been able to live together in a supportive way through all the shit they've been through should be evidence enough that things are different now.

 

And they are different. Deacon has his drinking under control, he knows where and when to seek help and does so, and he knows when he needs to bug out. His tendencies towards alcoholism are always going to be there as are some of his behaviors - he learned those coping strategies from an alcoholic and while he's worked hard at making changes, some things will never go away entirely.

 

I didn't feel like Rayna just decided one day that she was going to be with Deacon. Watching on AXS we're back at the beginning of season 2 and I'm rewatching all of the trust issues she had with him just being alone with Maddie for an hour - well-deserved, but sad to watch. That whole time with Luke was her avoiding coming to terms with the idea that Deacon really was THE ONE for her and she wouldn't find that life with anyone else - but at the same time not knowing whether she could trust him or even risk living with him again. The time between her cancelling the wedding (because she didn't want to put him through what she put Teddy through - and he was an @ss) and the time she had Deacon up on stage was her making a choice to go all in. Deacon had proven many times since the Maddie reveal that he was ready and able to move forward.

 

And I disagree with the poster you quoted who thought they didn't show Deacon in a good light with Maddie. While he made his share of mistakes, he's done a good job with her. It's different living with her and parenting her and her sister full-time without Teddy as a fall back, but he's working at it.

 

I would dearly love for Rayna to have more actual conversations with her family though. Where is the talk with Daphne about how she's missing her own Dad, feels left out, and is clearly upset with her sister? Where is her talk with Maddie about what she went through as a young artist or even trying to get through to her about her pissy mood? Why does Deacon know something is different with her but Rayna doesn't? And why doesn't she listen to him? Why didn't she confront Deacon earlier about his decision to buy the bar and why was the final conversation on that all of 3 or 4 words? People, families, actually talk in real life. Why can't they on Nashville? Those conversations, and their wrap-ups, are the things that bring the payoff to all the drama.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Clemgo3165

[Sutton]

MM -- I agree with your post. That's whats so frustrating they NEVER seems to have that discussion on a matter that's so important to the life that they want to have?? Will it always be a roadblock in everything they do because Deacon/Rayna can't talk honestly to each other about the subject *Recovering alcoholic". Is that normal because I've never known an alcoholic or the kind of a life the family goes through. Is the series stretching it out for drama purposes because it's been 4 1/2 yrs now and the two most important people who want a happy family life seem to be avoiding that very important subject. Do alcoholics ever have a life of (I don't know what I want to say) Deacon was sober for 13 yrs, fell off the wagon one time so does that make him untrustworthy forever. The circumstance were beyond what a normal person would have been able to handle. The talk between them needs to happen but I don't think it will with the series maybe not getting a 5th season. They will marry them, tie it up with a nice bow and we will all assume a Happy Marriage. You posted "Neither of them has learned anything" will they ever. Are both of them not mature enough to handle such a sore subject? 

[Clemgo3165]

I think we're just supposed to assume that those conversations have happened. And they have in small ways, here and there, but there's never been a real sit-down talk between the two of them about how they'd/he'd handle his alcoholism on a day-to-day basis and how that would impact them and their family. Nothing about where the boundaries or lines are. Nothing from Deacon about what he needs from her in terms of support. Nothing either with the girls - Maddie in particular who should be part of an ongoing talk with both of her parents given her family history. 

[madam magpie]

Clemgo: I know many people think Deacon is cured. I just don't. It doesn't work like that. If Deacon doesn't talk to his girlfriend/fiancé/wife about what's going on--buying a bar, punching a mirror, etc.--he doesn't have his drinking under control. He's working on it, clearly, but he won't ever be cured. He and Rayna should both know that by now, and to get it under control, he has to face that. The fact that when things come up her first instinct is to lie and his is to hide things from her shows a real lack of progress. Yes, the last couple of episodes, they've cleared things up. That's nice. But I want them to change their behavior, not constantly have fix mistakes. That will show tangible progress to me. Because of that, I can totally see why someone like Tandy might think marrying Deacon now is among Rayna's dumbest decisions. From the outside, nothing has changed. The only reason I believe it's not a dumb decision is because I know how the elements of story work. In real life, he could slide at any moment, and if Rayna were my friend, I'd be worried. They both need to confront that reality and deal with it openly.

Sure, Rayna's come around in trusting Deacon with Maddie. But I'm talking about trusting Deacon with herself and their relationship and their future. She's still talking herself into that. She went from claiming to love Luke and seeing him as her fresh start to being completely done with that and committed to Deacon within two or three episodes. She never admitted the facade she'd been living, she never said she'd made a mistake with Luke, she never said she just couldn't take being without Deacon anymore no matter what comes, nothing. Then she found out he had cancer and that became the glue for them. OK. He's healthy now. Now what's the glue? It can't just be that they love each other and want their family to work. That's always been true. So what holds the relationship together and how do they handle life moving forward? Are they more committed? Is Rayna in even if he drinks again? I have no idea. Johnny Cash and June Carter adored each other and seemingly couldn't exist without one another, but their marriage was a hot mess and their kid grew up to be a drug addict. Is that what happily ever after looks like for Rayna and Deacon? I hope not. But if it is, can anyone really blame Tandy (or anyone) for trash talking?

Amen, Sutton. The characters need to spend a lot of time talking to each other. I think we're supposed to make lots of assumptions, but we've actually been shown very little sbout how they plan to move forward together.

Edited November 30, 2015 by madam magpie

[airwair]

John Carter Cash is not a drug addict, to my knowledge. I also just tried to search for something indicating that and all I can find are articles on an isolated incident in which he was drunk at an airport and started stripping. Those articles even mention that he had no prior record or issues and I can't find anything on him since. So if he's an all out addict that's not for the public to know.

June Carter's daughter with Edwin Nix was a known drug user before her death, but I have to question how out of 7 children she's the only one who ended up with known substance abuse problems if it was all Johnny and June's fault. (Ironically, her father was a Nashville cop. But I digress.)

As far as Deacon and Rayna go, it's not real life. It's a show. It's a show that is on its 4th year and what kept me watching through all of the soapy nonsense was the chemistry between Connie and Chip and the dynamic between Deacon and Rayna, for better or worse. They've been apart for three seasons and I am quite ready for them to be together. At this point I do not care if it is unrealistic or untrue to real life (because apparently in real life addicts can never ever, ever be trusted so it's okay for people to be snarky to them and question their ability to have a family forever and ever amen) but I can't handle another season or three where they're apart and talking it out and working on themselves. It's time to progress, however the writers see fit be it believable or not.

Obviously this show is so far off the rails we will never get those kinds of moments. Not to mention we are in season four and Rayna is still never held responsible for anything, so I'm guessing she never will be. The substance of the show is just gone, clearly, so I'm staying aboard to watch Deacon and Rayna and root for them. It's fiction. I'm not staying aboard to be scared for her and hope she figures things out--I'm here to watch them support each other and be each other's family.

[madam magpie]

John Carter Cash absolutely struggled with drug addiction (for about a decade). He's spoken about it in interviews and maybe in the books he wrote about his parents, though It's been awhile since I read those. Plus, June Carter spent most of her marriage to Johnny Cash denying his addiction and talking about how "the real man would somehow shine through." John Carter also once said, of his parents' marriage, something like "the suffering got worse over the years." None of that means they didn't love each other fiercely for most of their lives, but if anything is a cautionary tale about love not being enough, it's them.

Two of the daughters had drug problems, I forget which ones, and Rosanne Cash has been pretty open about how her father's addiction affected her life. I believe one of her kids also overdosed. It's not got anything to do with "fault." It's not someone's fault, in real life or in a story, if a person struggles with addiction, but neither is it just, "Oh, yay, Daddy's fixed now."

I don't like soap operas or fairy tales and would never have watched this show if not for Connie Britton and her non-soap opera reputation. So this being "a show and not real life" means nothing to me. I consider someone's storytelling bad when he/she can't craft a narrative that includes how people actually behave. But to each his own. Soaps are popular for a reason. I just don't like them.

I really don't think Deacon and Rayna are going to split up. Barring a miracle, this show is done, and they are the end game couple. But they aren't going to get a realistic send off either, it seems. This is why I just wish Nashville would end and let Connie Britton go do something awesome that I can enjoy again.

Edited November 30, 2015 by madam magpie

[airwair]

I was wrong about Mr. Cash. Just found the article. My apologies.

I'm not a fan of soap operas. I quite detest them. I loved this series in season one and now find myself constantly making fun of it, but Rayna and Deacon keep me watching so I would be quite exhausted if they were still apart working on themselves.

That said, I actually do think it's believable that at some point he could stop being demonized and borderline mistreated because everyone is so petrified of his disease that they have to spend every second of the series giving him absolutely zero credit. So yes, when Tandy reappears to do nothing at all but be negative, it's irritating. It's not "real" or refreshing to me.

Expressing concern and asking "are you sure? I got your back whatever you do" is one thing. Being crude is quite another.

[Clemgo3165]

Do we know she's going to be crude or really negative?

[airwair]

Yes.

[madam magpie]

I don't think Deacon's demonized much for his drinking, actually. Rayna doesn't do it at all. She never has. She's always been very scared of it and sometimes resentful, but she doesn't put Deacon down for it. In fact, she's supportive to a fault and gives him lots of credit. I don't think anyone on the show believes in Deacon as much or thinks as highly of him as Rayna does. She's his greatest champion. Scarlett is up there as well.

Deacon demonizes himself, but I wouldn't believe his character if he didn't. That guilt is a huge part of the cycle.

The thing with Maddie is being set up in a bizarre way. I think she's supposed to be scared like her mother, not mean, but she's so awful that everything she does comes off as mean. And her being scared and not talking to anyone about it doesn't make much sense.

Lamar and Teddy did it for sure, and I believe Tandy would too. But that's how life goes. Some people are assholes. I think it's fine for Tandy to snark, actually, drama-wise. I hope Rayna defends Deacon. I feel like she would, but who knows with this show. We'll just have to see how it plays out, I guess.

Edited December 1, 2015 by madam magpie

[madam magpie]

http://abc.go.com/shows/nashville/video/pl55199661/VDKA0_584ekw65

Avery is being dumb, but I love how Emily's like, "Meh...I can get Juliette's money. What do you need, brother?" Girl gets stuff done! Why can't those two hook up?

[Clemgo3165]

This is all starting to sound like a really fun wedding. Nobody wants them married but the bride and groom. At least I'm assuming they want to be married.

I'd rather Tandy just not show up if she doesn't support the marriage rather than show up being negative and crude. I was actually looking forward to having her back. Hope Rayna lets her have it.

[airwair]

I hope she does, too.

They pleasantly surprised me when they took out the bit about Scarlett cutting her hair like Beverly's so maybe they'll just write out Tandy's antagonistic nonsense.

Probably not, though.

[madam magpie]

From what I've read, it sounds like Tandy is resentful and talks some trash, but is more positive by the end. Plus, Deacon and Rayna sound like they're very happy. So who cares about bratty kids and Tandy?? I really see no problem. Also, I love Jessy Schram and hope she sticks around. I'd be happy to trade her for Layla, Luke, Colt, or Gabrielle.

[madam magpie]

http://www.accesshollywood.com/videos/nashville-rayna-deacon-fight-over-marcus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feedburner&utm_campaign=video

Oh, Deacon...you had a leg to stand on until you accused Rayna of liking it. I knew he was going to do that! Men always do that! Yes, it's Rayna's fault she's pretty and awesome and Markus wants to bang her. She must secretly want it. F*** you, Deacon. I hope she hangs all over Markus and like...licks his face at the show next week.

Edited December 1, 2015 by madam magpie

[airwair]

It's not her fault she's a catch, but it is her fault for encouraging the behavior by not stopping it.

This isn't Deacon's finest moment, but I can't say I disagree that she needs to tell Markus to step off.

[madam magpie]

Like I said, he was doing ok until he accused her of wanting it. After that, sorry, buddy. You're totally out of line. Of course Markus wants to sleep with Rayna. On some level she probably knows that and is using it to her advantage to get the album made. If Deacon is going to have a wife who produces music and works with hot musicians in need of hand-holding, he's going to have to deal with the fact that some of those men will want to sleep with her. So what? All that matters is if he believes Rayna wants to sleep with them, and it's super insulting to imply that she does. I've got no sympathy for him in that moment. None. When he apologizes and cries to her later (as I'm sure he will) about how he's lost her so many times or he misses making music with her or he hates Markus singing his song to her or whatever, I'm sure I'll feel for him. But in that ugly moment where he looks Rayna in the face and says Markus is only keeping this up because she's leading him on?! No frakkin way. Deacon deserves Rayna to do some grinding and face licking in retaliation.

Edited December 1, 2015 by madam magpie

[airwair]

Or she could say "I'm flattered, but I'm not available and under no circumstances will I be available so let's focus on work instead of flirting."

But that'd be too easy.