S04.E16: Didn't Expect It To Go Down This Way

[DeLurker]

Cash is looking way too old for this story not to come across as creepy.  She's 30 (or the actress is) and when you are putting her next to an actual teenager, she's not coming across as 20 something.

 

So what was the point of Riff and his stroke?  To open up a spot on tour for Juliette?  Cause there had to be a million other ways to get there....

[marceline]

Ok, I only ever lurk this board, but damn this made me laugh so hard.  Just the visual of Reyna snatching Maddie by the face and dragging her out of that hosue.....LOL!

 

This makes me long for a Nashville/Empire crossover where Cookie shows up and says, "You let your child talk to you like that?! Girl, grab that broom. I'm about to show you how this is done. Let's go find Cash and make some change!"

[CruiseDiva]

Love seeing Juliette's return and the music in the episode was great. Especially Will!

 

But... is Rayna the only woman in Nashville who brushes her hair? I realize that "skank hair" is in fashion, but I hate how slovenly those ladies look.

[Clemgo3165]

 

I see Riff has finished up his cycle through the blender. Show up, cause drama, leave. Blather, rinse, repeat. Are we supposed to give a damn that this guy Keith Richards-ed himself into a stroke? I can't even remember what he looked like. I hope the "local escort" turned out to be Vida. At this point, I don't even need them to name these tertiary characters. Just call them Red Shirt and move on.

 

I'm laughing out loud in the middle of the office over "blather, rinse, repeat." So funny, so true, and so well put. That and the red shirt comment. Hah!

[airwair]

Also, afterthought... your child is missing. You don't know where she is. No one has seen her or heard from her. All you have is a text that says she's safe, but then again victims of serial killers have texted the same thing.

Your husband brings up calling the police and your answer is no because it would be public record?

Was it not public record when she ditched the symphony and every single cop in the city was searching for the mayor's daughter?

Great thinking, Rayna. Great motherly instincts to forget public opinion and do whatever it takes to bring your daughter home.

[Clemgo3165]

Wow. I haven't watched last night's episode yet - may wait until the end of the season to do so - but couldn't the police be asked to keep the search for Maddie on the down low? They don't need to go out and publicize it, just look for her. Surely they could do that for good citizen Rayna???? And she's more worried about what the public thinks than finding her own kid? Who is this woman? WHO.IS.WRITING.THIS.DRECK?

[airwair]

Her excuse was "we would have to file a report and she would be in the system as a runaway." Deacon says "but she IS a runaway" and then Rayna says that would be public record and the tabloids could get a hold of it.

I really can't handle this.

I haven't seen the ending because I changed the channel the second Deacon said the token "you're right; I overreacted and I'm sorry."

[Tara Ariano]

In case you missed it, here's the Previously.TV post on the episode!

 

On Nashville, Maddie Emancipates Herself From Parental Slavery
None but Cash can free her mind.

[Soup333]

I was hoping that he was just saying whatever he had to say to get Maddie home. Did he start reconsidering his actions at some point before then?

Airwair, you didn't miss much besides Maddie coldly shutting the door in her parents' faces after telling them she was going to stay with Cash and wants to be free, etc.

[airwair]

I was hoping that he was just saying whatever he had to say to get Maddie home. Did he start reconsidering his actions at some point before then?

Airwair, you didn't miss much besides Maddie coldly shutting the door in her parents' faces after telling them she was going to stay with Cash and wants to be free, etc.

I turned it off when he was talking to Rayna on the phone in his truck and he told her she was right and he has been coming on too strong and he shouldn't have reacted that way.

I missed his apparent groveling at Maddie's feet. Thank God, considering I've only had this TV a month and I'm not quite ready to throw a brick at it yet.

[Sandman]

We know that Layla is going to snap and dangle Cadence out a window or something right? It's just a matter of time. When it happens I hope we discover that Emily is a Krav Maga black belt and she just snaps her neck like Jessica Jones because Emily deserves better.

 

Oh, my God, when is THAT show on? Because I am totally all over The Adventures of Emily: Krav Maga Nanny To The Stars!

 

I loved Will taking the fresh coffee Avery just fixed for himself.

 

I loved Avery's "Eh, what can you do?" reaction. Their friendship is all kinds of cute. Also: "Suitors." Hee.

 

I also think the Rayna-Juliette scene was too brief -- I really enjoy their bond, as fitful as it sometimes is. I like the idea that Juliette is becoming able to recognize more aspects of their lives that are parallel, including motherhood, now.

Edited April 21, 2016 by Sandman

[Clemgo3165]

Her excuse was "we would have to file a report and she would be in the system as a runaway." Deacon says "but she IS a runaway" and then Rayna says that would be public record and the tabloids could get a hold of it.

I really can't handle this.

I haven't seen the ending because I changed the channel the second Deacon said the token "you're right; I overreacted and I'm sorry."

 

Ah yes, it's always Deacon's fault. 

[airwair]

Ah yes, it's always Deacon's fault.

Always. 110% of the time. Why would we expect anything else?

[madam magpie]

I'm not going to get into a days-long argument about it where everyone jumps on the "you know nothing, madam magpie, and want to spoil bratty kids" train, but I think it's interesting how much support Deacon gets for being angry and aggressive, while Rayna is maligned for not wanting Maddie to show up in the tabloids. If Maddie ran away, she probably is safe. It's not like she was kidnapped. She's nearly 17 and presumably knows how to cross the street, purchase food, scramble some eggs, stay with friends, etc. I realize she lacks life experience, but she's not five. I have no problem with Rayna not wanting to call the police (she found the kid in the end anyway), or with Deacon admitting he overreacted. Many people, myself included, think he did. Does that mean Maddie should run away and try to ruin everyone's lives? Of course not. But that nonsense isn't Rayna or Deacon's fault at this point. It's Maddie's...and maybe Cash's, though I really can't figure that bit out. Maddie has decided she's better off without her family, so I say...OK, let her try and figure out that life. She's old enough to learn that lesson. If she wants to leave home a year earlier than most, go for it. She can move in with Cash and try to get her career going. I don't care what she does or doesn't deserve. Life doesn't work like that. I realize Rayna and Deacon will never actually do this because the show can't seem to exist without maximum crying, screaming, and over-the-top drama, but it makes the most sense to me. All this getting riled up and angry and controlling and fighting is how this mess began. So how about they all take a step back? Just stop. Let Maddie try to make her own way. She'll probably fail...or maybe she won't. Rayna managed. I say, let Maddie have a go. If she misses her family, she can try and mend fences. I don't understand the desire to whip an almost legal adult into compliance and obedience, other than the fact that many parents like to control and seem to think being controlling is loving someone. If Rayna and Deacon continue to support her financially and emotionally without any return, well, I guess that bit is their fault. But Maddie having an overinflated ego and a desire to go out on her own isn't really at this point, other than the fact that no one ever taught her compassion or life skills.

 

I think this show is trying to draw a parallel between Rayna and Maddie's teenage experiences, but because we never actually saw Rayna's, it's very easy to side with her: Lamar was a jerk who held her back, so she rebelled, he threw her out, she left, and she became a superstar on her own. That's a nice story. But if we'd actually seen it play out, I suspect we'd see Rayna as smart mouthed, rude, and indulged. Also, the Maddie stuff is written so badly and doesn't take into account any of the character's history, so it also makes absolutely no sense.

Edited April 21, 2016 by madam magpie

[Soup333]

I think Rayna's decision not to cal the police was the right one at the time. They had a pretty good guess where Maddie was and for all they knew she could have come back by the end of the day. Keeping it out of the tabloids isn't just for Rayna/HW65 but Daphne too. And it's just be one more thing that Maddie would probably use against them.

However, after they talked to her and heard the nonsense she was talking, tactics should have changed immediately. I say cut her loose and let the brat fly or die trying but of course Rayna and Deacon won't do that.

[airwair]

In an admittedly extreme example, my best friend ran away when we were 15 because her mother wouldn't give her permission to stay out past curfew and watch 4th of July fireworks and she was tired of being told what she could and couldn't do. THE HORROR.

She ended up at a neighbor's house whom she trusted (a seemingly normal couple with a toddler in their nice all-American neighborhood) who then proceeded to hide her in a box and rape her repeatedly for two days until she managed to get out and run home.

Yes, it's far on the spectrum. But not all runaways are safe because they ran away and weren't kidnapped, especially when they're running into the arms of people they trust that they think have their best interests at heart.

Deacon and Rayna know something is off with Cash and that her intentions are probably not good, so why should they assume Maddie is safe? Why should they assume Cash hasn't talked her into going on "vacation" and fled the state already?

This all goes back to what you said last week that Maddie was in no real danger and Deacon should've just waited until she got home.

When you're a parent you don't just assume that they're okay because they chose to run away (especially when they are with someone like Cash) and that they'll be back later when they fall flat on their face.

When you're a parent you actually do whatever you can to bring them home.

[AnnaRose]

Yeah, I think they should have told Maddie that either she was coming home with them and behaving like a decent human being, or they were calling the cops and Cash would be arrested and Maddie would be in the system as a runaway.  Stop the pleading and begging crap.

Edited April 21, 2016 by AnnaRose

[Kathemy]

With Cash, the show has ventured into territory normally reserved for really poorly written male villains, who are evil just "because they are evil." No further explanation is required. Cash has no motivation at all for her villainous ways, and I doubt we'll ever get one, except possibly as a cheap retcon in order to "redeem" the character - yes, I think that could happen. Cash is giving me season 2 Layla vibes only worse.

[Sandman]

The desire to control someone isn't love, but neither is the "You don't need your parents; you are a free, independent woman who can make her own choices [undercut by my ulterior motives]!" jazz that Cash is laying out. I think Deacon's right to be scared of what Cash is after. I don't agree with all of his choices, and he defaults to "Deacon ANGRY. DEACON SMASH!!" way too often. But Cash is manipulating them all, and does not have anyone's interests at heart but her own.

[madam magpie]

In an admittedly extreme example, my best friend ran away when we were 15 because her mother wouldn't give her permission to stay out past curfew and watch 4th of July fireworks and she was tired of being told what she could and couldn't do. THE HORROR.

She ended up at a neighbor's house whom she trusted (a seemingly normal couple with a toddler in their nice all-American neighborhood) who then proceeded to hide her in a box and rape her repeatedly for two days until she managed to get out and run home.

Yes, it's far on the spectrum. But not all runaways are safe because they ran away and weren't kidnapped, especially when they're running into the arms of people they trust that they think have their best interests at heart.

Deacon and Rayna know something is off with Cash and that her intentions are probably not good, so why should they assume Maddie is safe? Why should they assume Cash hasn't talked her into going on "vacation" and fled the state already?

This all goes back to what you said last week that Maddie was in no real danger and Deacon should've just waited until she got home.

When you're a parent you don't just assume that they're okay because they chose to run away (especially when they are with someone like Cash) and that they'll be back later when they fall flat on their face.

When you're a parent you actually do whatever you can to bring them home.

 

So you're saying that's the only way to be a good parent? There are no other options, other opinions are unworthy, and any parent who doesn't take this approach is lousy or stupid or wrong? Since this is what "you do when you're a parent." I don't see life that way at all, and I tend not to make decisions based on the most extreme, rare examples that someone can come up with. What I see is that Rayna made a different decision than you would...not an evil, ridiculous, awful, hateful decision. Just a different one, and it was fine, which, most of the time, is how these things go down. And no, I don't think Maddie was in danger last week and I do think Deacon should have waited for her to come home. But I'm not going to get into that exchange again because boy, y'all beat that into the ground even long after I bowed out.

 

With Cash, the show has ventured into territory normally reserved for really poorly written male villains, who are evil just "because they are evil." No further explanation is required. Cash has no motivation at all for her villainous ways, and I doubt we'll ever get one, except possibly as a cheap retcon in order to "redeem" the character - yes, I think that could happen. Cash is giving me season 2 Layla vibes only worse.

 

This is a really good point, Telepath. I wonder if this is on purpose or just dumb luck? But...this assumes they see her as a villain. I mean, you and I see her as a villain (I think I do...I'm not sure...the whole thing almost seems more stupid than villainous, but let's say...), but I'm not sure the writers do. I feel like I read an interview with one of the head writers that talked about how this was all supposed to be Maddie "individuating" (a word I hate because it sounds so pretentious and made up even though it's not) and trying to find herself as an independent person separate from her parents. I don't think that's what's actually happening, though! Plus, I agree with you about the Layla vibes, but then they made Layla a normal, sympathetic person for a bit...and now have turned her nutso again! I don't know if she's meant to be sympathetic either. And the thing is, I'd bet these writers feel like that ambiguity is super high level storytelling because it's creating "complex" characters, but it's really not. It gives the audience whiplash, rather than creates a dynamic, interesting, multifaceted character.

Edited April 21, 2016 by madam magpie

[Absurda]

Part of the problem with Maddie is that she really hasn't had any negative consequences to her actions.  She behaves badly or acts out and Rayna and Deacon cajole and negotiate with her.  This allows Maddie to continue to escalate her bad behavior (and now has Cash egging her on) and so doesn't have any grasp of what it is she's getting herself into.

 

She's been too shielded and protected from reality.  Rayna keeps saying she doesn't want Maddie to experience what she has, but she hasn't leveled with Maddie about why it's so bad out there.  Maddie is old enough to hear some horror stories, see some reality and have it brought home to her how lucky she is to have experienced (and influential) parents looking out for her.  Instead they just drop vague hints about "something bad" and all Maddie sees is the glamour and fame side of things.  In my opinion, that's where Rayna and Deacon could have really given her some excellent parental leadership and have really failed.

 

Finally, anyone else think Lamar is chuckling in his grave at this bit of parental karma?

 

I, too, really want Will to find a love interest, he's come a long way and been through enough.  His attempt at dating was sweet and funny and I'm glad the guy was okay with the "date" mix up and didn't turn all ugly homophobe. Will needs to see that not everyone in the business is bigoted.

 

I'm not usually a shipper, but if I weren't shipping Avery and Juliette so hard, I'd be shipping Avery coming out as bi and him and Will getting together.  All their scenes together are great and they'd make a cute couple.

 

I can see why Avery is falling for crazy Layla.  First, he's happily married to Juliette with a baby on the way, then the baby comes, Juliette goes through a horrific downward spiral, Avery has no job, an infant to care for alone and his parents on his case about the whole thing.  Guy's really been through the ringer.  Now someone comes along and is thinking about him, his needs and is taking care of him.  I can see how that would be massively appealing and blind him to the crazy that is Layla.

 

Lastly, are we to understand that Layla is going after Avery as revenge against Juliette or has she actually developed feelings for him?

[madam magpie]

Part of the problem with Maddie is that she really hasn't had any negative consequences to her actions.  She behaves badly or acts out and Rayna and Deacon cajole and negotiate with her.  This allows Maddie to continue to escalate her bad behavior (and now has Cash egging her on) and so doesn't have any grasp of what it is she's getting herself into.

 

She's been too shielded and protected from reality.  Rayna keeps saying she doesn't want Maddie to experience what she has, but she hasn't leveled with Maddie about why it's so bad out there.  Maddie is old enough to hear some horror stories, see some reality and have it brought home to her how lucky she is to have experienced (and influential) parents looking out for her.  Instead they just drop vague hints about "something bad" and all Maddie sees is the glamour and fame side of things.  In my opinion, that's where Rayna and Deacon could have really given her some excellent parental leadership and have really failed.

 

Finally, anyone else think Lamar is chuckling in his grave at this bit of parental karma?

 

Ohhhhhh yeah.

 

Thing is, I'm not sure WE know how bad it is out there, really, at least not in relation to this show. There are no consequences for anyone...well, except Juliette. The people who are messed up or crazy or mean or horrible at their jobs don't lose (Scarlett, Layla, Luke, Cash, Markus, Beverly, Rayna), they win. Even Jeff didn't die because he was so horrible. He died because JULIETTE was horrible, and she paid the price. And Teddy only went to prison because he was set up and blackmailed by a hooker and the FBI, not for laundering money or watching Lamar die. So in Nashville's world, why should Maddie think anything else?

Edited April 21, 2016 by madam magpie

[airwair]

So you're saying that's the only way to be a good parent? There are no other options, other opinions are unworthy, and any parent who doesn't take this approach is lousy or stupid or wrong? Since this is what "you do when you're a parent." I don't see life that way at all, and I tend not to make decisions based on the most extreme, rare examples that someone can come up with. What I see is that Rayna made a different decision than you would...not an evil, ridiculous, awful, hateful decision. Just a different one, and it was fine, which, most of the time, is how these things go down. And no, I don't think Maddie was in danger last week and I do think Deacon should have waited for her to come home. But I'm not going to get into that exchange again because boy, y'all beat that into the ground even long after I bowed out.

This is a really good point, Telepath. I wonder if this is on purpose or just dumb luck? But...this assumes they see her as a villain. I mean, you and I see her as a villain (I think I do...I'm not sure...the whole thing almost seems more stupid than villainous, but let's say...), but I'm not sure the writers do. I feel like I read an interview with one of the head writers that talked about how this was all supposed to be Maddie "individuating" (a word I hate because it sounds so pretentious and made up even though it's not) and trying to find herself as an independent person separate from her parents. I don't think that's what's actually happening, though! Plus, I agree with you about the Layla vibes, but then they made Layla a normal, sympathetic person for a bit...and now have turned her nutso again! I don't know if she's meant to be sympathetic either. And the thing is, I'd bet these writers feel like that ambiguity is super high level storytelling because it's creating "complex" characters, but it's really not. It gives the audience whiplash, rather than creates a dynamic, interesting, multifaceted character.

No, not every parent who does things differently than I would is lousy, stupid, and wrong. Those words never came out of my mouth.

However, we are four full seasons in to watching Rayna consistently coddle Maddie and give her no consequences for her actions. As such, she is now completely and utterly out of control. Circumstances have changed and she is fleeing the house, saying she's staying with this creep and telling them she is seeking legal action (that is typically reserved for children of abusive or drug addled homes--you know, situations that are actually bad) to get away from them--all because of a stupid effing record deal and Maddie not getting what she wants and getting it now.

Their only options now are to either let her scatter to the winds and just be all smiley and "welcome home!" when something really bad happens to her because she is not mature enough to take care of herself or to put their feet down and fight back.

The calm rational talking stopped working a long time ago.

Perhaps calling the cops at first would've been jumping the gun, but after the situation was truly revealed and they spoke to Maddie their asses should've been on the phone to report the grown woman harboring their minor child.

Emancipation court is also going to be public record and everything that is going to be brought out in that court room will be able to be dragged through the tabloids and hurt Daphne just as much. And God forbid it gets granted, how will the tabloids stay out of that? How will any of them be protected from that?

So where does it end?

Edited April 21, 2016 by airwair

[Kathemy]

Let's face it, Rayna acts like Maddie's 12, and Maddie's acting like she thinks she's 25.

[Ohmo]

Maddie is old enough to hear some horror stories, see some reality and have it brought home to her how lucky she is to have experienced (and influential) parents looking out for her.

 

I agree that Maddie has been fairly sheltered, but her problem is that she's ignoring what she does know.  Her father and mother were not together, and she was raised by another man BECAUSE Deacon had a serious problem with alcohol.  Even Juliette warned her that this business could be difficult.  If Maddie were approaching this from any level of responsibility, say, like talking to her cousin, who waited tables at the Bluebird and started out as a songwriter, I might take her more seriously.  Or approached Deacon about singing at the Beverly.  Or maybe been more grateful about HAVING a Highway 65 contract in the first place.  She could have no contract.

 

Jesus.

If I had talked to my mother the way Maddie talks to Rayna, her reaction would have made Krakatoa's eruption look like a hiccup.#endofdays

 

 

 

I would have snatched that girl out of that house by her face. When she said' "You're the bad influence," to her PARENTS, I think I momentarily blacked out. The disrespect. I would not have it! Girl, gone and live your life and see how you do.

 

I'm quoting the  above posts simply because I want to like them over and over again.

 

The whole idea that this has something to do with obedience?  I don't agree.  This is about entitlement and Maddie thinking that she is somehow due all of these things.  Let's get real here.  Her mother is Rayna James and her father is Deacon Claibourne.  THAT is what got the executives of Edgehill and Sony to give Ms. Maddie the time of day.  She does have talent, but she's not Taylor Swift.  Her career and the interest in her potentially having a career have as much to do with her lineage as they do her talent.  Executives want her because she has some talent that comes with hefty family ties.  When she was yelling about Sony and Edgehill to Rayna and Deacon, that was totally lost on her.  She's yelling at them for getting in the way of her career?  How about the fact that they are a significant part of the reason she has a career?  If she had the same talent and her parents owned a diner and were named Rhonda and Darryl, I HIGHLY doubt that Edgehill, Sony, or anyone else would be falling all over themselves to sign the girl with the guitar.

Edited April 21, 2016 by Ohmo

[madam magpie]

No, not every parent who does things differently than I would is lousy, stupid, and wrong. Those words never came out of my mouth.

However, we are four full seasons in to watching Rayna consistently coddle Maddie and give her no consequences for her actions. As such, she is now completely and utterly out of control. Circumstances have changed and she is fleeing the house, saying she's staying with this creep and telling them she is seeking legal action (that is typically reserved for children of abusive or drug addled homes--you know, situations that are actually bad) to get away from them--all because of a stupid effing record deal and Maddie not getting what she wants and getting it now.

Their only options now are to either let her scatter to the winds and just be all smiley and "welcome home!" when something really bad happens to her because she is not mature enough to take care of herself or to put their feet down and fight back.

The calm rational talking stopped working a long time ago.

Perhaps calling the cops at first would've been jumping the gun, but after the situation was truly revealed and they spoke to Maddie their asses should've been on the phone to report the grown woman harboring their minor child.

Emancipation court is also going to be public record and everything that is going to be brought out in that court room will be able to be dragged through the tabloids and hurt Daphne just as much. And God forbid it gets granted, how will the tabloids stay out of that? How will any of them be protected from that?

So where does it end?

 

From where I sit, it ends when someone stops his or her crazy, rebellious, or controlling behavior. I don't think that person will be Maddie any time soon. I don't actually think it will be Rayna and Deacon any time soon either because that would be too rational for this show, but I think they're in a better position to come to their senses first. They can stop all of this at any time by stopping trying to control Maddie's bad behavior. They can refocus their attention on Daphne and be willing to welcome Maddie back into the family if she sees that the world is harder than she thinks. If they do that now or in a year when she turns 18, I see no real difference except one year less of madness and hysteria.

Edited April 21, 2016 by madam magpie

[smiley13]

So is Maddie supposed to be 16 at this point? Has she ever been shown driving?

[Kathemy]

Would anyone want that girl behind the wheel?

[airwair]

Would anyone want that girl behind the wheel?

Not me. She'd run all of the red lights because some piece of electric machinery will not dictate when she can and can't proceed down the road.

I agree that Maddie has been fairly sheltered, but her problem is that she's ignoring what she does know. Her father and mother were not together, and she was raised by another man BECAUSE Deacon had a serious problem with alcohol. Even Juliette warned her that this business could be difficult. If Maddie were approaching this from any level of responsibility, say, like talking to her cousin, who waited tables at the Bluebird and started out as a songwriter, I might take her more seriously. Or approached Deacon about singing at the Beverly. Or maybe been more grateful about HAVING a Highway 65 contract in the first place. She could have no contract.

I'm quoting the above posts simply because I want to like them over and over again.

The whole idea that this has something to do with obedience? I don't agree. This is about entitlement and Maddie thinking that she is somehow due all of these things. Let's get real here. Her mother is Rayna James and her father is Deacon Claibourne. THAT is what got the executives of Edgehill and Sony to give Ms. Maddie the time of day. She does have talent, but she's not Taylor Swift. Her career and the interest in her potentially having a career have as much to do with her lineage as they do her talent. Executives want her because she has some talent that comes with hefty family ties. When she was yelling about Sony and Edgehill to Rayna and Deacon, that was totally lost on her. She's yelling at them for getting in the way of her career? How about the fact that they are a significant part of the reason she has a career? If she had the same talent and her parents owned a diner and were named Rhonda and Darryl, I HIGHLY doubt that Edgehill, Sony, or anyone else would be falling all over themselves to sign the girl with the guitar.

All of this. Especially Rhonda and Darryl.

[madam magpie]

So is Maddie supposed to be 16 at this point? Has she ever been shown driving?

 

She has BIG dreams, yo...not the mundane dreams of the plebes.

[Soup333]

Reminds me of S1 Rayna telling Juliette she hadn't earned her place in country music. Maddie hasn't earned a damn thing but she feels as if she has a right to whatever she wants.

[Kathemy]

She has BIG dreams, yo...not the mundane dreams of the plebes.

Maybe she can take a flight certificate. *cough* Finale *cough*

[pattycat]

I'm thinking, if Maddie feels she's grown up enough, to be emancipated and live her own life, make her own decisions, doesn't crawling out a window, and running away, negate that impression?

As adults, we've had to learn that we're expected to face up to our mistakes and take responsibility, for them. Adults who can't/won't do that, tend to find themselves, with a life that's one big cluster "F", or, even as guests of a State or Federal institution.

Instead of going out the window (why couldn't she go out the front door)? Was wild man Deacon guarding it with machetes and shotguns? How about calming down and trying to talk to her parent's.

She might have begun by saying, something like" I did lie to you, and I know that was wrong and I apologize. I just wanted to play, I wasn't going to drink or party. I knew you wouldn't let me go. So I lied. I know you're mad, but, I feel like I can't talk to you. Dad, when you got so mad, it scared me again. I hate seeing you like that. I know you were angry and scared, but, I feel like you overreacted."

You know, open up a conversation! But then, are there any characters on the show, that are good at that?

-----

And a random, if I were Frankie, I wouldn't be coming down on Deacon. I'd be too concerned, wondering what my Mid-20 something Daughter was doing, helping a 16 year old sneak out of her parents home, sneak into a bar, and then harboring a minor runaway!

[wendyg]

I think it's an indication of something or other that Juliette is now in the same situation Rayna was in at the beginning of S1: younger singer is trying to steal her band leader, sometime lover/husband, and the father of her child. It would be fun if the show acknowledged that, but I doubt it will.

 

Is it so out of Will's mental capability to say, "So, tell me about the break-up with Riley"? He'd have found out everything he wanted to know without embarrassment.

 

I wish they'd cast Alicia Witt as a kick-ass keyboard musician/band member. She actually is an amazing pianist, while her speaking voice does not suggest a great singer.  (I think her first gig was as the alienated teenager on CYBILL, and there was a great scene where she was reeling off some very complex classical piece and Cybill came home and she immediately switched to Chopsticks.)

[dcalley]

Deacon's partner had a point at Deacon's raving of Maddie being underage in a bar. How many times has she been at Beverly or sang and been at the Bluebird? 

She always had permission and a parent present. It's very different.

 

I really, really hate this storyline. I really do. 

"If this is a joke, I don't want to hear the punchline."--Avery

 

This makes me long for a Nashville/Empire crossover where Cookie shows up and says, "You let your child talk to you like that?! Girl, grab that broom. I'm about to show you how this is done. Let's go find Cash and make some change!"

Genius.

[GaT]

Let's face it, Rayna acts like Maddie's 12, and Maddie's acting like she thinks she's 25.

That pretty much describes the teenage years. For everyone.

 

Part of the problem with Maddie is that she really hasn't had any negative consequences to her actions.  She behaves badly or acts out and Rayna and Deacon cajole and negotiate with her.  This allows Maddie to continue to escalate her bad behavior (and now has Cash egging her on) and so doesn't have any grasp of what it is she's getting herself into.

 

She's been too shielded and protected from reality.  Rayna keeps saying she doesn't want Maddie to experience what she has, but she hasn't leveled with Maddie about why it's so bad out there.  Maddie is old enough to hear some horror stories, see some reality and have it brought home to her how lucky she is to have experienced (and influential) parents looking out for her.  Instead they just drop vague hints about "something bad" and all Maddie sees is the glamour and fame side of things.  In my opinion, that's where Rayna and Deacon could have really given her some excellent parental leadership and have really failed.

Maddie has absolutely been protected, probably overprotected, but with a musical superstar mother, & then being the mayor's daughter, you wouldn't really expect anything else. The problem is that she thinks she's owed. She thinks that because she wants to make music, she will. She can't figure out that a record company might want her just because she's Rayna's daughter, & not necessarily because of her own abilities, or that aren't going to treat her as their number one star once she's signed.. She doesn't have any idea of what people who don't have a superstar for a mother (or even her mother) actually go through to get record deals. She needs to spend some time with people who are struggling to be heard & haven't had the privileged life she's had. 

[DeLurker]

Oh, my God, when is THAT show on? Because I am totally all over The Adventures of Emily: Krav Maga Nanny To The Stars!

I would so watch this show!

[Sandman]

Right?! That would be an awesome show. I'd like the Wavery Exes to guest-star occasionally.

[Quof]

Cash has no motivation at all for her villainous ways, and I doubt we'll ever get one, except possibly as a cheap retcon in order to "redeem" the character - yes, I think that could happen

 

Anybody else think Cash is recruiting for a cult? Anybody?  It makes as much sense as any other explanation.

[Julie23]

Maddie, when I was 16, I wasnt even allowed to date, much less go to a bar when under age and get up on stage and sing like a tramp.I would have been locked in my room until I turned 18. Seriously, get the F off my TV, I can't stand her and her "problems" anymore. She needs to be sent to juvie and see how bad it really is out there. 

Edited April 21, 2016 by Julie23

[Absurda]

 

The problem is that she thinks she's owed. She thinks that because she wants to make music, she will.

 

Well, and why shouldn't she?  The only people she's seen in the music business are people with established contracts/reputations (Rayna, Deacon, Luke, Juliette), she didn't see all the hard work, sacrifice and suffering that might have gone into building those careers.  She doesn't know any of the people we've seen struggling to launch their careers (Gunnar, Will, Avery, Layla), so she probably does think it's as easy as saying "I want to make music" and she'll get a deal and be able to do what she wants.  It doesn't help that Edgehill and Sony were ready to give her a contract just like that or that her mother just gave her one as a consolation prize. 

 

The only person who has struggled in the music business that Maddie knows is Scarlett, who might actually have been a good person to talk to her about how brutal/grueling the work can be.  But at this point I don't think Maddie would even listen to her.  Maybe, as others have said, a real heart to heart with Juliette would do her a world of good. 

 

Maddie just sees a record deal as, freedom, fun, fame, music, etc.  If, when she first started saying she wanted a deal, someone had sat her down and told her the actual ins and outs of the business and what she could really expect from a first record deal with someone other than her mother, it might have helped.  But no, they pretty much treat her like a 5 year old in that respect.

[panthergirl13]

This show is beyond ridiculous. I'm only watching so I can read the recaps here (Deacon's 'rant' in the recap is everything. I nearly peed myself.).

But the funniest part of this episode was Luke's reaction to Riff's frantic wife:

"My husband is missing! I don't know what to do!!"

"Aw, really? He's supposed to be on tour with me."

"Yes but he might be dead, or worse!"

"Seriously? But do you think he can still sing with me? Because tour?"

"Doctor! What's wrong with my husband?"

"He's had a stroke and a boner for more than 4 hours. What's worse is that we haven't been able to remove Fusilli Jerry from his anus."

"Doc, it's me Luke Wheeler... star of stage, screen and Forbes. What about the singing part? Will this brain thing or dick thing or ass thing prevent him from singing? Because tour?"

[Soup333]

Yeah, Luke's initial reaction was exactly why Colt up and left him to stay with his grandfather. All about his brand. Layla's reaction wasn't much different.

[dcalley]

The only person who has struggled in the music business that Maddie knows is Scarlett, who might actually have been a good person to talk to her about how brutal/grueling the work can be.  But at this point I don't think Maddie would even listen to her.

I hate that they basically have no relationship. Also, Scarlett could tell Maddie a thing or two about a truly horrible mother (as could Juliette).

[Kathemy]

Seriously, get the F off my TV, I can't stand her and her "problems" anymore. She needs to be sent to juvie and see how bad it really is out there. 

Juvie? Try a Soviet gulag.

[GaT]

Also, Scarlett could tell Maddie a thing or two about a truly horrible mother (as could Juliette).

You've forgotten she's "Saint Beverly" now, patron saint of a bar & the bestest sister & mother in the whole world.

Edited April 22, 2016 by GaT

[deepfriedcake]

Thoughts while watching this episode:

"I wish Powers Booth would rise from the grave and return to slap some sense into Maddie."

"I wish Teddy would break out of prison and sneak back home to slap some sense into Maddie."

"I wish sainted Aunt Beverly, although missing a big chunk of her liver, could somehow manage to re-materialize so she could demonstrate to Maddie what real abuse looks like."

 

Dear God. How in the world did Maddie become the most hated character on this ridiculous show?

 

Why does everyone involved in the running of Nashville think that we want DRAMA all the time? If you do your job right and give us characters that we love and care about, we don't want to see them constantly miserable. Give us some damn happiness! Give us some music! Give us some Avery and Will and Gunner and Cadence - hell, throw in some Juliette now that's she's on the (Thank God!) road to recovery. Give us some smiling Will and anybody. Give Emily a sweet, bumbling love interest. Let Rayna actually nurture some of these new artists she supposedly cares so much about. Give us songs and some actual insight into the music business. Sure, some people are always going to be scheming villains, but does that have to be the whole focus of the show? For once, can't we have a storyline that doesn't involve a crazy person and a thirst for revenge? Let Glenn and Bucky join forces and take Nashville by storm. Let Rayna and Deacon plan out periodic tours together during the year and take the girls with them to perform, so they can see the realities of that life. Oh yeah, and one more thing - STOP littering the set with even more new characters every week! You need to prove you can take care of the ones you've already got before you can have any new ones. Good grief. Just think how much happier everyone would be if Cash had never been invented.

 

Sorry, that rant has apparently been building up inside of me for quite some time.

 

As much as the show irritates the crap out of me, coming here and reading this thread gives me enough laughter to get through the week. You guys are hysterical!

[vendredi3]

Note to self: Go back to happy hour margaritas on Wednesdays. This show is much more tolerable when not sober.

 

Could not agree harder. Looks like I picked the wrong month to quit drinking.

[Clemgo3165]

How did Maddie find out about the Sony deal?

[GaT]

How did Maddie find out about the Sony deal?

Cash called her connections (why does she have connections?) at Sony & found out.