Red Lips, White Lies

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The Rayna Jaymes/Juliette Barnes "Red Lips White Lies" tour has gone through two weeks of previews and is now ready to open in the big markets. Press tours happen and reporters are very curious to know about A) Juliette's status as a runaway bride; and B) how Rayna feels about playing without Deacon. We spend the episode exploring both questions. On the latter, it turns out that Rayna is having trouble with her new guitar player, just like she had trouble with the new guitar player before that. Stating that he has no idea what Rayna wants and she can't be pleased, the second new guitar player quits, just like the first new guitar player before him. Rayna cajoles Liam into doing three shows with her, even though he's there to record and isn't down with the idea of performing Rayna's old twangy hits. She thanks him with a pair of cowboy boots, and he repays the favor by telling her that she can't turn anyone else into Deacon and needs to get over her fear of being onstage without him. (In sum: he does not wear the boots.) In addition to this bit of truth-telling, Liam also tells Juliette to stick it when she hogs the sound check, making him essentially the best band member ever.

In other Rayna news, Teddy wins the election! Without Lamar even having to buy it for him! This all comes as a shock even to Teddy, I think. Despite heavy ambivalence, Rayna flies home for election night. The celebration is married by Cole's acceptance speech, in which he makes it clear how much he and his wife are in love, which is really the only thing that matters. This creates an awkward moment for Teddy and Rayna, who is probably thinking that it's going to be way harder to divorce Teddy now. After everyone has gone home, Peggy shows up at Teddy's… mayoral suite? just to tell him how happy she is for him and remind everyone that she's a creepy stalker. Still, Teddy almost kisses her. Almost.

And then there's Juliette. Sean hasn't signed the divorce papers that she had drawn up, because he wants an annulment. And neither Juliette's fake-sweet interview with CMT nor her stalker-esque showing up at one of his games will change his mind. Sean wants her to take responsibility for what she did, which was defiling his maidenhood. At the big "Red Lips White Lies" show, Juliette initially doesn't want to sing "Love Like Mine," but eventually does and somehow this convinces her to agree to the annulment, which entails admitting that she entered into the marriage fraudulently. She finally apologizes to Sean, telling him that she'd never be the wife he deserves. He agrees and also hates her, in part because the re-virginization process is going to be a bitch.

And then there's everybody else. The Revel Kings are playing a date in Austin, where Gunnar happens to be driving for rather suspicious-seeming reasons. Scarlett, oblivious to all of his hints that he'd like to fly solo on this one, invites herself to tag along so she can see Deacon and go to the show. It turns out that Gunnar has an older brother, Jason, who's just getting out of prison after eight years. Said older brother kind of raised Gunnar, and Gunnar was with him when he robbed a convenience store at gunpoint, but fled the scene. Gunnar then didn't visit Jason in the clink for the entire eight years, so Jason is a little peeved about that. Jason is a guitar player and singer too, and the brothers have great harmony on an old Merle Haggard number. Though Gunnar has made arrangements for Jason to go to a halfway house, Jason has other ideas. While Gunnar is out getting Chinese food, Jason hawks his guitar and uses the profits to buy a new gun. He takes off, leaving Gunnar to be even sadder than usual.

Meanwhile, Cy, the skeevy Revel Kings lead singer, is jealous of all the attention that Deacon is getting from both the press and the ladies. In response, he takes quite a shine to Scarlett, shuffling her off to a skeevy private party (while distracting Deacon by shoving him in the direction of a kid with a wheelchair). While Scarlett's looking at artwork, skeevy lead singer has the room cleared and starts getting VERY rapey with her. When Deacon realizes what's going on, he essentially turns into the Hulk, tearing through a giant security guard and Cy himself to ensure that Scarlett is unharmed. This gives him the perfect excuse to quit the band and/or be fired, depending on which way you look at it.

And then there's Avery. He's still sleeping with Marilyn, who thinks the deal that Dominic offered is a bad one. Avery goes to talk to Dominic on his own and is persuaded to believe his claim that the offer is standard by taking a drive in his sweet antique Mustang. The morning, Avery has signed the contract, gotten the sweet car as a signing bonus and told Marilynn where to put it. Methinks this is not going to end well.

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Previously: Everybody was going on tour! Deacon joined legendary rockers The Revel Kings, while learning about Teddy's embezzlement scheme led Rayna to consider hitting the road with Juliette. Avery dumped his bandmates for a shot at stardom, and Juliette left Sean "Tim Tony Kris Tebow Romo Humphries" at the altar, despite the fact that they were already legally married and once sang an acoustic version of "Love Like Mine" in her private plane. I'm guessing it wasn't quite as charming as when Julia Roberts did it in that movie.

We start off in San Diego, where Rayna and Juliette are having a press conference for their "Red Lips, White Lies" tour. A reporter notes that the tour was put together awfully quickly, and asks if they're ready to perform for 30,000 fans. Rayna explains that they've spent the past two weeks doing smaller shows in fantastic towns such as Tucson and Oklahoma City, then throws it to Juliette who says that they've got it down pat and are going to give San Diego fans a hell of a show. If they don't blind each other through various claw-based activities first, that is. Another reporter asks if fans will have to worry about anyone running off at the last minute and leaving them high and dry. Juliette is all, "Haha, and also now I am going to have you killed." She refuses in advance to answer any more questions about her newfound status as runaway bride, since "they're called personal matters for a reason." And really, she might consider not wearing white dresses to these events if she truly wants people to forget the altar desertion. Another reporter notes that this is Rayna's first tour without Deacon, and asks if it's been a tough adjustment. She tells him that change is always challenging, but they've got a wonderful crew and her fans are going to get the best Rayna Jaymes show they've ever seen. Juliette pipes in to add, "But the first one for most of mine," and Rayna is forced to fake-laugh while Juliette real-smirks. So, I guess these two really bonded over the past two weeks, huh?

With that we're in Little Rock, where The Revel Kings are getting back on their tour bus. Carmen walks with Deacon and gives him a big kiss, drawing the attention of lead singer Cy, who is surrounded by a number of hot, autograph-seeking chicks but apparently wants ALL the poon for himself. As she bids Deacon adieu, Carmen says that maybe after she turns in her article she can meet up with him for a while. Deacon is all, "...Ehhhhhhh," and while shaking her head and saying that he's the same old Deacon, Carmen tells him to be kind to himself. Note that Deacon does NOT agree to this condition. Cy walks over to Carmen and asks if she's got all she needs from him. She most certain does. He asks about doing a follow up, and she gives him a dismissive, "Just... call me" and walks away. Cy then tells Deacon not to let it go to his head, since Cy didn't even try. Deacon counters that it looks like Cy tried real hard, and the other Kings laugh. Cy is NOT amused.

We then cut to a fast-motion scene of lights and equipment being put together for the "Red Lips, White Lies" tour, which is pretty cool. Bucky walks with Rayna and tells her that Juliette's sound check is at 4:00 tomorrow, and hers is at 5:00. Sensing that Rayna is a bit distracted, Bucky asks if everything is okay. Rayna says that she loves the crew and the guys, but the guitar player doesn't know what he's doing. He came highly recommended and toured with some big names, but Rayna thinks that he isn't all that interested in what she's doing. Bucky agrees to talk to him. Rayna then gets a video-call from her girls, who are cute as ever. Teddy shows up to make the girls leave and do their homework, and takes the call off video to talk to Rayna. That's probably so she can't see his overly dramatic facial expressions. The big updates are that the girls are doing fine, and the polls are a little too close to call. Teddy asks what Rayna's thinking about the state of their relationship, and Rayna gives a standard non-answer. What Teddy really wants to know is if she's coming back for the election. He thinks she won't, and then gets weird and hostile about the whole thing, which certainly isn't a very convincing tactic if he in fact does want her there. After they hang up, Rayna stands alone on the stage and looks concerned... probably about the guitar player situation.

Then we're at the Bluebird, where Scarlett asks Gunnar if he's still thinking of driving to Austin after work. He is. It turns out that Deacon got Scarlett tickets to see the Revel Kings in Austin the following night, with backstage passes and everything. Gunnar tries to discourage her, saying that he's got family stuff to deal with. Scarlett, who has a very hard time reading context clues, asks if she can just hitch a ride if she chips in for gas. She notes that they can work on some songs during the 15-hour trip. Finally sensing that Gunnar is being weird, Scarlett surmises that he just doesn't enjoy her company. While that would be true for the rest of us, it is not, in fact, Gunnar's problem with the situation. He says the trouble is that he's leaving straight from the Bluebird. Happily/unhappily, Scarlett has a packed bag with her. It's probably full of stuffed animals and birdseed, but that's all she really needs for a road trip.

Back in the land of "Red Lips, White Lies," Juliette is signing CDs while complaining that nobody buys CDs anymore. But Glen has worse news: Sean still hasn't signed the divorce players. Juliette is not pleased, since the more time that lapses before he signs, the longer the press has to figure out that they're actually married. Glen gently suggests that Juliette might try reaching out to him, but she thinks she's the last person he wants to hear from. Meanwhile, Bucky enters Rayna's dressing room with the previously discussed guitar player. She asks him to just play the changes, and he says that he's already talked about this with Bucky. But Rayna has more notes. She also wants him to sing WITH her, so it doesn't feel like she has to follow him. He agrees. She then has MORE notes, saying that she wants them to feel like a unit. That's what the guitar player was trying to do, or so he says, adding that with all due respect, he doesn't know what the hell she wants from him. We do: to be Deacon. The guitar player says that she's impossible to please (probably true in this case), quits, and walks out. Bucky is concerned about this situation, noting that they have a tour starting tomorrow, and a second guitar player just quit. Second! Rayna wants Bucky to go find a guitar player, and he asks if anyone he finds will be good enough. Probably only if his name begins with "D" and ends with "eacon."

At Teddy Conrad campaign headquarters (which look like they might be located inside a Walgreen's), Lamar, Teddy and Tandy watch a television interview with Coleman. Cole says that he's not hiding behind the walls of a gated community like SOME people who shall remain nameless, and is going to be out interacting with voters. While Lamar and Teddy surmise that Coleman is pounding the pavement because he's out of cash, Tandy says that Cole is a known quantity from his years of actually being a good politician, which might be enough to sway undecided voters. At least the smart ones. Whereas, Lamar does not hesitate to point out, "Conrad" is not the household name it once was when Teddy's grandfather became a senator by "taking certain measures into his own hands." Basically, Lamar and Tandy want to buy Teddy votes. But Teddy would like to maintain the half-teaspoon of a soul that he has left, and says he'd rather lose the race than win it on bought votes. Lamar's forked tongue darts out and catches a fly in response.

And speaking of soul-selling, Avery has just finished banging Marilyn somewhere in Atlanta. With a light on and everything! Just after rolling off of her, he asks if Dominic ever sent over the contract. She seems surprised that he wants to talk shop now, I guess because she's convinced herself that Avery actually enjoys her company and/or her snatch. It turns out that Dominic DID send over the contract, and both Marilyn and her lawyer thought it was a lousy deal, with a nine percent royalty rate. Avery says that nine percent is standard, but Marilyn tells him that someone with his talent should get more, and with the deductions that were added, Avery wouldn't see a penny from record sales for a long time. Avery wonders why Dominic would try to pull a fast one on him, because he has never heard of the concept of "business." Marilyn says that Dominic knows he can screw someone like Avery, who's young and inexperienced. Avery adds, "Of course that's how you like them, too," because he's finally admitting aloud that all of his new so-called friends are scuzzballs.

In Austin, Gunnar drops Scarlett off at Deacon's hotel as she asks what exact family he'll be seeing. He says it's just his brother, and when Scarlett notes that they could get him tickets to the show too, Gunnar says that mystery brother wouldn't be too into it. Deacon emerges and is impressed/jealous when Scarlett says they got three songs done in the 15-hour drive. Gunnar passes on the offer of lunch due to "family obligations," and takes off. Deacon didn't know that Gunnar was from Texas, and Scarlett admits that still doesn't know if Gunnar technically really is from Texas. Showing that patented rugged Claybourne wisdom, Deacon says, "Three songs and fifteen hours later you didn't think to ask?" I'm sure she was too busy detailing the differences between woodchucks and gophers as she recounted her own family tree.

Back in the arena, Liam stumbles upon Rayna sitting up in the high seats. Turns out she and Deacon always used to come up to the nosebleeds as sort of a ritual, but not to make out, as Liam thinks (though probably that, too). They came to remind themselves that people paid good money for those seats, and to play out to them during the show. I'm sure Juliette does the exact same thing when she's not too busy flogging her manicurist. In any case, it turns out Liam has heard the rumor that Rayna wants him to replace her guitar player, and has found her just so he can refuse. He's there to record with her and not perform, and he's definitely not interested in doing her old stuff. That is, he recalls, why he didn't want to work with her in the first place. Rayna asks him to just help out on the first few shows, until Deacon magically reappears. Liam agrees to do three shows exactly, and Rayna jokes that she would NEVER ask him to do four. Because then he would risk becoming part of heerrrrrr sideshooooooooow.

Meanwhile, Juliette is jogging down the arena stairs in hotpants and runs right into a CMT interview with Katie Cook. The stair-running is all part of her routine to stay in shape while she's on the road because gnashing your teeth can only burn so many calories. When Katie asks how Juliette mentally prepares for a show, particularly after her highly publicized split from Sean, Glen pipes in to say that this topic is off-limits. But Juliette would like to elaborate, on camera. She says that Sean is a wonderful man, and he would agree with her that it's better to learn from your mistakes before you make bigger ones. An incredulous Glen notes that this is the closest thing to an apology that he's ever heard escape from Juliette's lips. Katie asks if Juliette is suggesting that her relationship with Sean was a mistake, and Juliette says that she's suggesting that the idea of marriage was the mistake. Then she takes off for more jogging, but Glen catches her before she gets too far and wonders what that was all about. Turns out this is her way of reaching out to Sean, per Glen's suggestion. She says that maybe now he'll sign the damned divorce papers, apparently not realizing that Glen meant to actually just give him a call or send a card or something.

And then we head to prison. Yes, Gunnar's brother Jason is getting out of the clink! Jason didn't expect to see Gunnar there, as evidenced by his question of, "What the hell are you doing here?" So, these two are clearly very close.

Meanwhile, Juliette gets a surprise as she's signing autographs outside of the venue in San Diego -- she's served with papers to appear in family court the following day for an annulment hearing. Juliette pouts that Sean doesn't in fact want to hear from her -- he wants to pretend that their whole whirlwind fake then real then devirginizing romance and marriage never happened. And I mean, well, yeah. But she doesn't care what he says -- they're married, and it can't just be erased. They were married for about twelve minutes! I'm Team Sean on this one, even though he seems like a total doofus too. You can't just take someone's maidenhood under false pretenses and expect no consequences!

Liam enters Rayna's dressing room and wonders if he's actually at a funeral or in a hospital room, given the insane amount of flowers within. Nobody sends Liam flowers before a show, and Rayna guesses it's because people like her better. An assistant then comes in with a box, which is a gift from Rayna to Liam in thanks of his exclusive three-show deal. They're cowboy boots, and Rayna lets out an excited, "Welcome to country music! For your big opening night!" Her extreme cuteness is tempered by Liam's unenthusiastic response of, "Huh... thanks." Oh, just put on the boots! They're totally nice!

Back in Austin, Scarlett walks with Deacon through the arena where The Revel Kings are playing and notes that it must be a hell of a thing to play in such a gargantuan place. But Deacon says that he honestly prefers the Bluebird. I mean, who wouldn't, really, aside from the fact that you make pennies versus zillions of dollars. They run into Cy, and Scarlett is clearly starstruck. When Deacon introduces her as his niece, Cy grabs her hand like a true creeper and asks if she's there to see her uncle back him up. Oh, just whip it out and take measurements and settle this once and for all! Cy continues to be a creeper, and Scarlett continues to be easily impressed before Deacon pulls her to safety. FOR NOW.

In San Diego, Juliette is soundchecking with "Boys and Buses." She has a red microphone, in going with the "Red Lips, White Lies" theme and also because she is the devil. "Love Like Mine" is to run through, but Juliette doesn't want to do it. She lays down the law that her set won't include "Love Like Mine" tonight or any night. Oh, because it's such a meaningful, tender song. Riiiiiiight. Despite the fact that it appears to be one of her biggest hits, she prefers to act like the song never existed, and that she never sang a sweet acoustic version of it with Sean on a plane and felt an actual feeling.

At the Jaymes/Conrad manse, Maddie and Daphne continue to be the most glorious children ever as they tell Teddy that they're certain he's going to be Nashville's mayor. They all cheers with milk, and Maddie gets a text. Daphne complains that she's been on her cell phone all night, leaving Maddie to say that with a dad who's going to be the mayor, she's friggin' popular now. A country music superstar mom isn't enough these days? Maddie leaves, and Daphne says that she hopes Rayna can come to Teddy's victory party. He gives a wistful, "We'll see."

Back in San Diego, Rayna walks in the arena to hear Juliette soundchecking "Telescope," and Bucky tells her that they're holding a ticket for her to go back to Nashville for the election returns, and have to confirm or cancel by midnight. She tells him to cancel, and doesn't want to talk about it further. But there's a bigger issue. Rayna was supposed to start her soundcheck fifteen minutes ago, and Juliette was still on stage. And, I am team Rayna as always, but doesn't this mean that she's coming to her own soundcheck fifteen minutes late? Bucky heads off to find Glen, but Liam tells him not to bother. He runs up on stage and yells at Juliette to see if she's about done. She tells him to get off her stage, and he in turn tells her that it became Rayna and her band's stage fifteen minutes ago. He adds, "The song is not going to get better with practice," which, burn. They battle over who is going to get off the stage, and finally Liam lays down and tells her to go around him if she must continue. Juliette stomps over him and off the stage, telling Glen in route to get her jet ready because she needs to get out of there. For someone who must wear a size six shoe, her carbon footprint is pretty substantial. Meanwhile, Rayna asks Liam if he will please stay for the whole tour. This incident has been evidence #256 about why Liam is so much more enjoyable than Deacon, who when faced with the same situation would just go on and on about how great "Undermine" is.

Meanwhile, Gunnar and Jason check into a motel. It's pretty modest, but Jason is just happy to be able to get a shower alone. He tells Gunnar that he looks good, and before Gunnar can answer adds that he's pretty sure he looks like hell. Jason also tells Gunnar not to ask what's new, since he spent the last eight years in the same 6' x 8' cell without a single visitor. Ouch. Gunnar says that he was out of town for three of those, which is a really terrible excuse. As Jason picks up Gunnar's guitar, Gunnar tells him that he got him set up with a halfway house, and if he can stick it out for six months, Jason could potentially come back to Nashville with him. Gunnar also talked to Jason's parole officer, who noted that there are agencies set up that can help Jason find a job for now. But Jason is more interested in the guitar, and starts playing "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive". That's pretty on the nose, eh? After a little cajoling, Gunnar joins in and there's some magical sibling harmony happening. These two should go on the road! Minus Scarlett, PLEASE.

Back in San Diego, Rayna is having her hair done by a fugitive Osmond wearing a Western shirt. What's HIS story? This show needs more compelling minor characters, and I think this guy might be the solution! Liam enters, wearing his regular old shoes. When Rayna asks where the boots are, he says they didn't work. They weren't too small, they were broken. After all, he put them on, clicked his heels three times, and still didn't turn into Deacon. Rayna is all, "WHAT?" and Liam says that he doesn't play like Deacon, sing like Deacon, or wear cowboy boots like Deacon. Also he doesn't pout like Deacon, bang Juliette like Deacon, throw away magazines with himself on the cover like Deacon, or have mysterious past histories with dead guys named Vince like Deacon. These are all good things! Trying to turn Liam or anyone else into Deacon is not going to solve Rayna's problem, which is fear of being on the stage and having it feel different than it has for the past twenty years. Rayna shakes her Osmond-generated curls and says that she's not scared. Liam's reply? "You're scared." And then he walks out, like the sage truth-teller that we now know him to be. Maybe he also has a master's degree in psychology?

Back in Atlanta, Avery hunts down Dominic, who's just about to get into his vintage Mustang, to talk about the contract. Marilyn is conspicuously absent. Dominic correctly guesses that Marilyn said the contract was a bad deal, then tells Avery that she's small-town and deals primarily with local talent. She struck gold with Avery, and the more money he makes, the more money she'll make. She's just trying to eat, says Dominic. And be eaten, I'd say. Whereas Dominic is investing time, money and talent into branding Avery as a big star. And he doesn't want Avery to become a big star then turn around and leave him, which I guess is where the contract stipulations come in. He suggests taking a ride in the Mustang to discuss it further, and actually hands the keys to Avery. This is a real "taking candy from strangers" moment, isn't it?

After The Revel Kings' show, Scarlett gushes to Deacon backstage. Cy sees them and sends Deacon over to sign a guitar for a "wheelchair kid." A real humanitarian, that guy is. He then grabs Scarlett's hand so he can take her to the room where the "real party" is happening. She thinks she should wait for Deacon, but Cy tells her that he'll catch up. Scarlett is particularly impressed by some artwork on the wall, which, no lie, features a fairy princess talking to a crown-wearing frog as deer watch. "That reminds me of back home in the tree trunk!" she must be thinking. And then Cy looks at her just like the Big Bad Wolf.

It turns out that Juliette's private jet has landed in Oakland, California, where Sean apparently has a game. She approaches him outside of the stadium, and he wonders if she's gone from ignoring him to stalking him. He knows that she has a big show, and she says that Rayna's opening and she can get back in an hour. I don't think Rayna would like the term "opening," but happily she's not there to object. Juliette reminds Sean that it's quicker to get a divorce than an annulment, but he's in no hurry to give her what she wants. Juliette, in turn, is in no hurry to stand in front of a judge and admit that she committed fraud. But Sean DOES think that she committed fraud, given that she knew what marriage meant to him. In addition to devirginizing him under false pretenses, she also embarrassed his parents and broke his little sister's heart, and hasn't bothered to apologize for any of it. Juliette wonders if he saw the CMT interview because she hasn't yet really grown to understand what "human emotions" are. Sean wants Juliette to take responsibility for what she did and figure out how the born-again virgin process works, and she wants him to sign the divorce papers. But Sean only plans on getting married once... to the right woman. And that woman is not Juliette. Thus, he wants an annulment. For serious.

Back in Austin, Cy clears out the rest of the "real party" room while Scarlett is distracted looking at fairy pictures. He starts stroking her hair and complimenting her looks, and Scarlett politely tells him that he might have the wrong impression. Actually, it was she who had the wrong impression, unless that impression was, "This creeper is totally going to try to rape me." Outside, Deacon finally realizes that Scarlett is missing just as Cy is pushing her against the wall. Deacon looks around, and one of the other band members motions to the "real party" room, which is being guarded by security. The security guard, whose name is Mike, says that he works for Cy and won't let Deacon in. But then Deacon gets Hulk-like strength and pushes the big guy out of the way. He rages into the room because no one thought that locking the door was a key component of a successful rape plan. Scarlett knees Cy in the balls, and then Deacon grabs him and throws him into a table and starts choking him. While security restrains Deacon, Cy yells that this is his band and Deacon is just visiting. Deacon quits just before Cy can fire him, and Scarlett has to pull him away to prevent him from taking one last shot at Rapey McSmalldong. Rock stars, man.

Juliette has arrived back in San Diego just in time to bump into Liam backstage. He apologizes, which leads her to note that he should also apologize for the soundcheck incident. But he doesn't apologize for calling people on being rude. Juliette of course doesn't think she was being rude, leaving Liam to say she's never wrong and never responsible for anything that happens around her. And that is Liam's sage-truth-telling moment for this segment of the show!

Meanwhile, in Austin, Gunnar returns to the motel after picking up Chinese food, only to find Jason packing all of his clothes into a paper bag. Jason turns around and Gunnar sees a gun in the back of his pants. Wouldn't it be great if he shot his own buttocks right now? The gun is of course a violation of Jason's parole, and what's more, Jason has apparently hawked Gunnar's guitar to get it. Finally a realistic depiction of family dynamics! Gunnar yells that Jason will be back in prison by tomorrow, and Jason in turn says that Gunnar would be gone before he got there. He then yells that Gunnar left him "in that parking lot," to which Gunnar counters that he was sixteen years old, and watched Jason put a gun in a clerk's face. Not a day has gone by when Gunnar doesn't feel guilty about leaving Jason, but also he wasn't the one who robbed the store. Gunnar has never been able to get his mind around how the same guy who looked after him, protected him, made his lunches and taught him how to play guitar could end up like Jason. Jason says, "He screwed up," and prepares to leave. He turns before he exits, though, and says, "I'm just glad you didn't." He then hugs a super-sad Gunnar and walks out the door. Well, at the least I'd think this would generate some good songwriting material. Being a country singer means there's an automatic silver lining to every tragic situation.

Cut to San Diego, where Rayna is basking in her own copious amount of sequins and the audience's adulation. She asks them to give a warm welcome to her new co-conspirator, Liam McGuinness, and then the band launches into "Buried Under." It sounds great and the crowd loves it, and she and Liam do that thing where they lean against each other's backs and rock out. Backstage, Juliette looks at her wedding ring and has a sad.

And hey! It's Coleman! It's the night before the election, and his wife is picking out something to wear that will befit the new Mrs. Mayor. But whatever happens, she says, she loves him. Meanwhile, Teddy sits alone in his bedroom and turns off the TV when a story about Rayna's tour comes on. Wah waaaaaah.

Back in San Diego, Juliette has now taken the stage in a truly hideous and unflattering dress. There's a lingering shot on her drinking from water bottle, which at first I thought was maybe vodka and would lead to her getting really wasted and terribly awesome on stage. But, no luck. She looks down at the set list, which has "Love Like Mine" crossed out, as if they wouldn't just print a new set list that omitted it. And surprise, she sings it, and dedicates it to someone that she used to know, and who used to know her. Eloquent as always! But you know, she's crying those black mascara tears... on the inside. I'm sure Sean is actually hoping that he never finds another love like hers, too. Offstage, Bucky tells Rayna that Juliette is good... but Rayna is better. Just like a good manager would. Tonight is a big victory for Rayna, Bucky says, just like tomorrow might be a big victory for Teddy. And with that, Rayna is finally guilted into going home for the election results. So I guess Bucky is a good friend, too.

Back at the Austin Hilton, Deacon explains the concept of "housekeeping" to Scarlett, who is making the bed. She apologizes for getting Deacon fired from the band, and Deacon explains that the incident only gave him good reason to leave. Plus, it's him who should be apologizing for the fact that she almost got raped by his bandmate. Deacon used to think that Cy was a jerk because he was a drunk, but it turns out that he's just a jerk because he's a jerk. In any case, Deacon tells Scarlett that she handled herself pretty well, and she mumbles that she dropped his stupid ass. She wonders if Cy always had bad manners, and Deacon explains that some guys don't know how to be humble about their talent. Everyone starts treating them like a God, and soon they think that everyone is just there to serve them.

And speaking of "some guys," Avery pulls up in Dominic's Mustang. Marilyn, who is waiting on the sidewalk, notes that he never came home last night, and he says he was talking with Dominic about his contract. Dominic said that the deductions are standard, which he would of course say, according to Marilyn. She then tells Avery she hopes he didn't buy a car. How could he, he wonders, since he hasn't gotten a penny since hooking up with Marilyn? She tells him that things take time, and he tells her that he singed the contract, and the car was his bonus. Marilyn thinks that's very 1950s of Dominic, to give Avery a big toy instead of a six figure advance. She's actually pretty mad that Avery talked to Dominic without her, saying that her job is to represent him or protect his interests. Avery counters that her job is to work for him, and he wants to work with Dominic. So Marilyn can either get on board or get out of his way. Also probably this means that he's not going to bang her anymore.

Gunnar picks up Scarlett at the hotel, and she notes that Deacon won't be joining them on the road trip back since he just wants to be alone. She finally sees fit to ask about Gunnar's family. Gunnar says that it was only ever him, Jason and their grandma who lives out in Fort Worth, and admits that Jason was serving time for armed robbery and just got out. She apologizes for never asking him any questions about himself, and offers an ear if he needs it. I guess this whole family thing may at least explain his vast stores of rage?

And then it's happy annulment times! Sean of course filed the annulment, saying that he entered into the marriage under fraudulent circumstances. When asked if she'd like to contest the annulment, Juliette says that she would not and admits to fraud, saying she made false representation to him about the nature of their marriage. She also withdraws the petition for divorce. Sean looks surprised, and the judge calls their two lawyers into her chambers. This gives Juliette a chance to apologize to Sean, saying that she was never going to be the wife that he deserved, and he knows that. She wants him to know that she knows it too, and that's why she left him at the altar. Sean is all, "Thanks for that huge, giant favor you did me." He reminds her that she once told him that he wouldn't like her very much if he got to know her, and tells her that he now fully agrees with that statement. And then he walks out the door! BURN.

And then it's happy election party times! Rayna enters, to the surprise of Teddy and the delight of the girls. They have a nice moment of mutual appreciation and support, and then the news calls the election. And Teddy wins! He's thrilled, and Rayna congratulates him. She doesn't actually seem to be in a congratulatory mood, though, probably because now it's going to be a whole rigmarole to divorce him. Coleman concedes, saying that he's going to continue to work on behalf of the hardworking men and women of Nashville, and against the special interests of its greediest citizens. Then he gives loving tribute to his wife, whose love and support is what really matters, and Teddy and Rayna are all like, "AWKWARD!" and don't look at each other for a while.

The victory celebration continues, and we learn that Teddy's campaign theme song is, "Taking Care of Business." Talk about a nod to the special interests of Nashville's greediest citizens! Lamar and Tandy watch from the balcony, and Lamar says that Rayna will come around since nothing is more attractive than a powerful man. I mean, it's worked so well for him for all these years. Tandy notes that Lamar bought this election for Teddy even after he asked them not to, but Lamar says that Teddy pulled this off on his own. Or did he? Everything that Lamar says is like a game of "Two Truths and a Lie," except that all of the options are lies. Also, the way that he and Tandy are standing so close together gives me the icks. Rayna stands on stage with her family and smiles as best she can under the circumstances.

Then it's a bit later, and Teddy is in his election-watching hotel room. His aide tells him that the reporters are gone and his family has headed home, and asks if he can call a car. But Teddy says he's going to be there a while longer, drinking the dregs of champagne from everyone else's glasses. There is a knock on the door, and Teddy opens it to find freaking Peggy! She knows she's not supposed to be there, but wanted to congratulate Teddy in person. BECAUSE SHE'S CRAZY. Send her away! Teddy asks how she's doing, and Peggy says that the pills were a mistake and she was never trying to commit suicide. Mostly, she's glad that she could see Teddy on his big night, and tells him that he's going to be a great mayor. And then they stand within inches of each other, and Peggy moves closer, in a kissing-like fashion. Teddy doesn't move away, but doesn't exaaactly respond in kind, and then Peggy turns and leaves. What these two need is for Liam to tell them some hard truths!

week: The catfighting between Rayna and Juliette heats up a notch, Deacon is engaging in some worrisome behavior, and everyone finally gets clued into the fact that Rayna might bang Liam.

Potes has the right song coming through her speakers. She can be tweeted @traciepotes, or emailed at potesypotes@gmail.com.