Voices Carry

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It's a busy week in Nashville, as per usual. Juliette starts off by being a bitch to Layla, whom she basically calls a karaoke singer, and telling Jeff that she can't go to his schmancy stockholders' showcase. She has a private event for the Wentworths -- a pair of media moguls celebrating their fifth anniversary in Maryland -- and takes Avery and the band with her. The husband of the couple owns one of Hank Williams' old guitars and wants to sit in with the band for a number. Juliette is fine with him doing what he wants, given that he's paying her $1 million. But things are not fine when Avery overhears her telling Mr. Wentworth that Avery is not her boyfriend -- just on the payroll. And here he thought they were friends! Avery gives her grief for being mean and more generally having an inability to form human connections. She tells him to shut up or she'll fire him, and his point is proven. And then she totally bangs Mr. Wentworth, who knows one chord on the guitar and is obviously the husband of the year.

And then there's Rayna. She and Teddy sign their divorce papers relatively amicably (except for the part where Teddy is still TOTALLY in love with her) and strategizes how to get out of her Edgehill contract. She has an album to deliver, and so gives Liam a call. He's still pissed about the St. Lucia thing and tells her he's booked solid and unable to work with her, but then shows up at her place with… hard drives. "Hard drives." Hard "drives." Their flirting is so relentless that Bucky has to excuse himself, and after Rayna apologizes for not going to St. Lucia (and really, if she HAD gone she wouldn't have ever been in a coma, probably) Liam agrees to finish her… album. And then they bone! Woohooo! But not before Rayna confesses to Liam that her vocal cords haven't been the same since the accident, and she's not sure if they'll recover.

This is also a problem since Jeff has asked that Rayna perform at the stockholders' showcase, which becomes a convenient point of convergence for a lot of our main characters. Will and Scarlett get stylists for the big day, and wind up sharing a limo with their respective dates, Gunnar and Zoey. Will sings one of Gunnar's songs and gives him a major shout-out, but Gunnar is clearly conflicted about not being up on the big stage himself. While Will and Scarlett have photo ops, he and Zoey take off together. And though Rayna is supposed to sing one of her own songs, she brings up Scarlett to do a number instead. Jeff is furious and asks who this woman thinks she is. He's suspicious of Rayna's motivation for the stunt, and seems determined to get to the bottom of it. Why doesn't she just tell him that she's not up to singing yet? I mean she DID just almost die, I think even the new hotshot label head might cut her some slack.

Meanwhile, Deacon is still not in physical therapy and keeps rolling over on his hand in his sleep. Ouch! He is going to AA meetings though, where Coleman shows up to A) tell Deacon that he's moving out of town; and B) tell Deacon that the only way he can deal with being a father is by dealing with what his alcoholic bastard of a father did to him. Deacon has a meeting with Teddy to reassure him that he's not trying to horn in on Maddie as a parent, and Teddy is basically a super-judgey jerk and guilt trips him about the fact that Maddie will be watching him. Eventually Deacon opens up at an AA meeting about how abusive his father was and Cole is proud. Deacon also may or may not have gotten pain meds from his doctor. In other news, Peggy and her phantom beret re-seduce Teddy with the lure of raising his fetus that no longer exists. Ten bucks says she's going to try to steal a baby Lifetime movie-style.

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Previously: Liam was about to whisk Rayna off to a super-hot, sex-filled bone fest in St. Lucia, but the rekindling of her long-tortured love with Deacon ruined everything. New Edgehill head Jeff Fordham successfully poached Will from Rayna's fledgling label, and pissed off Juliette by professing his love of bubblegum and glitter and signing reality show runner-up Layla Grant. Bucky suggested that Rayna protect her voice but she seemed more preoccupied with her label, and Deacon continued his status quo of being a tortured soul.

We enter the episode with a sweaty Deacon waking up with a scream. Scarlett rushes in and he says he's fine, he just rolled over on his busted hand. Scarlett offers him ice, Aspirin, and warm milk, and he yells that he's fine. He does ask for his Gibson, and Scarlett wonders if this is his idea of physical therapy. As he struggles to finger a chord, she reminds him that the kind of pain he has isn't right. In other words, GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR, YOU IDIOT. Deacon says that one of two things will happen: the pain will go away, or he'll get used to it. Either way, I'm sure he intends to continue being miserable.

Speaking of getting used to the pain, Teddy and Rayna are in a room with lawyers and finally signing their divorce papers. She looks rather matter of fact about the whole thing, while Teddy signs with a wince. He asks the lawyers to leave the room, and they discuss the girls for a minute before both agreeing that they never thought it would end like this. But they love their daughters, and Rayna tells Teddy that he's a good father and a good man. She wants him to be happy. He says, "You too," and exits the room. And now she can bone Liam without any remaining twinge of guilt…HOORAY! I do have to say, though, that I've warmed to Teddy in recent episodes even though he's going to fly his idiot flag again before this one is through.

We then cut to Layla Grant bursting, full of energy and compliments, into the lobby at Edgehill where Juliette sits and skulks. Layla still can't believe that they're on the same label, and neither can Juliette. Still full of youthful, shit-eating exuberance, Layla says that it was an honor to sing Juliette's song at Jeff's party, even though it was a bit nerve-wracking to have Juliette right there in the audience. Juliette hisses that it must take some of the pressure off to sing someone else's hits -- kind of like karaoke. Layla smiles it off and leaves, and when Glen gives her grief Juliette can't believe that he's buying the "fresh off the farm" act. Well, at one time he bought the "fresh off the trailer park" act.

When Jeff is finally ready to see Juliette, he apologizes about the two of them getting off on the wrong foot. He tells her that she's a very important part of the Edgehill family, which she already knows. In that case, he hopes that she'll reconsider singing at the Edgehill stockholders' showcase. While Glen mumbles that they're looking into it, Juliette simultaneously gives a definitive, "No can do." Jeff says that the showcase is crucial to the reboot of the label, and he wants stockholders to be excited about the fresh, new direction that Juliette has in fact inspired. But Juliette's conflict is a private concert for the very rich-sounding Charles and Olivia Wentworth at their estate in Maryland. It's their five-year anniversary, and Juliette is Olivia's favorite singer. Apparently they're media moguls, owning radio stations, magazines, newspapers, and TV stations. Jeff tells her to have fun in Maryland, and she promises to send him some crabs. That's a more sanitary delivery system than she usually uses.

We cut to Rayna meeting with Bucky and trying to figure out how she can get out of her Edgehill contract. It won't be easy, since she still owes them a record and would have to buy herself out. Bucky wonders if she's heard from Liam. He sent flowers when she was in the hospital, but since she's come back from death's door he won't return her calls. Bucky asks if Liam is still mad about the St. Lucia thing, and Rayna rhetorically wonders how many times a guy like Liam is stood up at the airport. The non-rhetorical answer is, "Once."

But she's going to keep trying him, because she has to deliver the record. And she will even be nice to Jeff if it gets her out of the Edgehill contract. Bucky says that regardless, it will be good to get her back in the studio and singing again. Rayna sort of gives a faraway look and then goes to hug Scarlett, who's just entered. She serves Scarlett sweet tea and tells her about the stockholders' showcase, at which she and Scarlett may very well be bought and sold and also can build up some excitement around Highway 65. And then she says that the label is getting Scarlett a stylist! YES! Hopefully the hair people will bring a can of Scraggly-Weave-Be-Gone. Scarlett is a little intimidated, but reckons it will be fine to be de-Little-House-on-the-Prairie-fied.

Meanwhile, Gunnar is practicing a new song at home and roommate Will tells him to stop messing with it because it's already great. Plus, Will has heard the song so many times he knows every chord and lyric. Hmm, handy. Gunnar calls it a work ethic, Will calls it OCD. Will then fields a call about the stockholders' showcase, and brags to Gunnar that he's getting a new style. Unsigned Gunnar meanwhile will have to hold steady with his scraggly vagina beard.

And then a big old-timey fancy limo pulls up to the Wentworth Estate in Maryland. Inside are new besties Avery and Juliette, who tells him she's glad he's there since his bad manners will pull focus from hers. The Wentworths are both young, the husband is British, and the wife is Juliette's biggest fan. Wife Olivia says that Charles is the best husband ever, and this is the best fifth-year anniversary present ever. So, this foreshadows that he's a sleazeball, am I right?

Then we're at a lovely restaurant where Liam, resplendent in his fedora, meets Rayna. They smile, he tells her she looks well, and she says she feels good. And I don't think I've mentioned, but her hair is back to its full glory, which is our best barometer for her general health. Liam is glad that Rayna pulled through, as is she. With those life-and-death pleasantries over, Liam can now needle Rayna about how beautiful St. Lucia is. He tells her that she should have come, and she says that in retrospect she wishes she had. And, I mean, she could have avoided, like, being in a coma and Deacon's entire relapse and stuff.

In any case, Rayna tells Liam that she wants to finish their record…together. She goes on to say that what they had in the studio was really great, and that he inspired her and inspired the album. She doesn't want to finish it without him, and hopes that they can let go of whatever happened and just make it about the music. Liam, who was clearly expecting sorrowful apologies for offending his unshaven pride AND acknowledgement that obviously she still wants to bone him because who wouldn't, gives her a funny look and says that he's booked…pretty solidly. And then he exits without even ordering a salad, leaving Rayna confused about how anyone can deny the power of her better-than-ever hair.

Rayna confirms to Bucky that Liam is indeed still mad about the St. Lucia thing. But surprise! Bucky has just run into Liam at the door to Rayna's house. Still in his fedora (does he ever take that thing off?) Liam has brought over the hard drive of her album tracks. He's listened to them again, and realized (not for the first time, I'm guessing) that he's an excellent producer. And THEN Rayna gets full-on flirty voice as she says that he is an excellent producer and asks if he's going to finish what he started. He says it depends, and as Rayna notes how much he's enjoying this Bucky excuses himself, since he didn't come over to watch these two bone on the kitchen counter. Rayna asks what she has to do, and Liam points out that she didn't really apologize for blowing off their hot tropical bone fest. She says she's sorry, but he wants to hear it again. She then says that she's very sorry she didn't go with him to St. Lucia, with eyes that indicate, "I'm sorry we didn't spend a long weekend boning, but perhaps we can rectify that mistake this afternoon." Liam tells her she's lucky that he's such a pushover.

Just when we were getting excited about these imminent and much-delayed sexy times, we cut to Teddy paying a visit to Peggy "I'mma boil your bunny" Kenter. She says she has doctor's statements, but he doesn't care to see them. He gives her a check, and she says she's feeling a little nauseated but not bad. Meanwhile, it is I who am nauseated at her Lifetime movie storyline! Peggy goes on about how she loves being preggy, and promises to raise their baby right. She has a feeling that it's going to be a boy, and is thinking about naming him "Theodore" after the father who wants nothing to do with her or his son. How touching. Teddy says he'll see her in a month. If only the same could be said for we, the viewing audience.

Then we join Will, in the middle of getting his Edgehill makeover with Brent accompanying him. Basically, they gave him a black cowboy hat. How edgy! Brent tells Will that he's getting one of the performance slots at the stockholders showcase, and just needs to get the song he wants to sing to the band. As Brent takes a call, Scarlett and Zoey show up. Will asks how they like his new look, and Scarlett asks where the bachelorette party is. A terrified Scarlett heads away with the stylist, leaving Zoey a chance to flirt with Will. Wrong tree, honey.

Juliette and Avery take a tour around the Wentworth manse and joke about its extreme opulence when Charles approaches them, guitar in hand. He wants to sit in during the concert. Though he's not very good, he thinks Olivia would love it. Juliette says that of course he can -- it's his party, and besides it's quite a sweet gesture. Avery remarks on the beauty of the guitar that Charles is holding, and it turns out it's one of Hank Williams' old guitars. He wanted Hank's D-28, but Neil Young won't give it up. Oh man, this guy. He asks Avery to tune the guitar, and when she sees the look on Avery's face Juliette asks if he's going to tune it or breast feed it. These two are so adorable together, and also so size-appropriate!

Back at the stylist's, Scarlett worries that none of the chosen outfits are "her." The stylist points out that that's a good thing, and the world co-signs. She holds up a little sequined number and says that Rayna would love it on her. Scarlett is aghast that the dress costs more than she makes in a month, and the stylist notes that if she does things right that won't be the case for much longer. JUST PUT ON THE DAMN DRESS.

Meanwhile, Will wants Zoey to go with him as a date to the showcase. She can't, since Scarlett already asked her, and this leaves Will to default to Gunnar as his plus one. Still, he thinks it would be a great idea for the four of them to share a limo. (In what universe?) Zoey, who I think is not really all that great of a friend to Scarlett after all, says that it sounds tempting.

It's time for Rayna to have a sit-down with Jeff, who wants to move past the kerfuffle over Will and focus on what's most important -- her career. She's glad to hear him say that, since she's going back in the studio with Liam to finish her album. Jeff is all for it, and says if she hurries and finishes it they can capitalize on "recent events" and make this the biggest launch in Edgehill history. She's offended and flattered all at once. Jeff suggests that the stockholders' showcase is the perfect time to build momentum by having her perform, and she looks a little taken aback. Rayna argues that it might be wise to hold out on performing the new songs, so Jeff suggests that she sing something that everyone knows the words to. She doesn't look enthused, but when Jeff asks if there's a problem she says there is not. EXCEPT FOR THE VERY DRAMATIC FACT THAT SHE LOST HER VOICE! Spoiler, but we've also known this from the previews for weeks.

And then we're at an AA meeting with Deacon. Coleman takes the seat to him and notes that in AA you're supposed to call -- and not hide from -- your sponsor when you're in trouble. Deacon says he hasn't taken a drink or a pill since the accident, even though the pain from his busted hand is killing him. But the pain isn't the problem, says Cole -- it's how he's going to deal with "the Maddie thing." Deacon says emphatically that he does not need Coleman's help anymore, and Cole says that he's not going to get it. This is because Cole is being written off the show. I mean moving. He got a job offer out of town. But before he goes he'd like Deacon to know that the only way he can be a father is to deal with what his father did to him. Deacon then gets all rage-y and everyone else is a little taken aback at the chairs being thrown around in the back of the room. And then Deacon walks out of the room, telling Coleman, "ENOUGH." There are SO many therapies that Deacon needs to look into.

Will shines his brand new boots as he thinks about what song to perform at the showcase. And, surprise, he wants to try out Gunnar's brand new one. Gunnar balks, saying that he hasn't even played it out himself yet. Will notes that it's only one time, and plus the whole point of being a songwriter with a publishing deal is to get your songs out there for someone else to perform. Gunnar is a little testy about the whole thing, and says that Will wouldn't know since he's not a songwriter. What Will does know is a good song when he hears it, and when someone is getting in his own way.

Meanwhile, Scarlett tells Zoey to be careful with ladies' man Will, and Zoey admits that Will asked her to be his date to the showcase. Though she declined, she did of course respond favorably to his suggestion that the three of them and Gunnar share a limo, which Scarlett sarcastically notes won't be weird at all. Zoey offers to call and change plans, but Scarlett says she can handle it. Scarlett then gets a call from Rayna and all we hear is, "…Yeah, I can keep a secret." Sounds like stockholders' showcase sabotage to me!

Juliette goes through her Wentworth party set list with the band, and Avery says he didn't know she was such a romantic. She admits that yes, she is very much in love with the $1 million they're paying her. But Avery thinks her happiness is still disproportionate to the payday, and Juliette reveals her real source of happiness -- sticking it to Jeff by not playing at the showcase. Avery warns her to be careful, since defiance can make you do stupid things. You know, like burn your masters and walk away from a six-figure contract. This bit of information makes Juliette like Avery even more. Charles Wentworth then shows up to plan his surprise appearance onstage, and Juliette basically tells him to do whatever he wants. He says to Juliette that Avery -- whom he calls "your boyfriend" -- has a little crush on his guitar, and Juliette tells him that Avery is not her boyfriend, he's just on the payroll. Avery of course overhears and looks hurt.

Meanwhile, Deacon has gone to see Teddy at his office. It's about Maddie, and though Teddy is clearly nervous that Deacon's going to make a bid for paternity, he's actually come to say that Teddy is Maddie's father, and a good one at that. Deacon says that he's not built to be a father, and wishes for Maddie that she never found out. He's sorry for any harm that he's caused to Maddie or Teddy. Teddy can't be nice to Deacon even one time, and asks if this is a 12-step making amends kind of deal. In response, Deacon just looks sad. Teddy says that it's not that easy, because unfortunately for everybody Maddie DOES know about Deacon, and now he has a responsibility to her. Maddie will never stop watching Deacon, and will make note of every choice he makes. Deacon walks out, saying that he appreciates Teddy seeing him. He also appreciates the choices that Teddy made back then, and adds that a lesser man might have done things differently. Teddy, who also can't take a compliment, says, "A lesser man did." Oy.

Back at imminent bone fest manor, Rayna and Liam are listening to "Stronger Than Me" and congratulating themselves on how good it is. Liam then says that the song "Worlds Collide" needs some vocal fixes, and he wants to rerecord. She tries to deflect, saying that there's an errant drum hit and the guitar solo on "You First" is busy. Liam played that guitar solo, and is not swayed. He says to trust him and that "Worlds Collide" needs a new vocal. He's ready to book a studio tomorrow, but she can't do it then. Nor can she do it the day after. Liam is frustrated, saying that she came to him on fire because she wanted to finish the album. Rayna just looks up at him, shrugs her shoulders and says, "I can't sing." This is news?

Liam asks how bad the situation is, and Rayna tells him that her vocal cords aren't the same since the accident. And this explains the gross scene in the first episode with the doctors yanking the breathing tube from her throat. He wonders if the cords will recover, and she says she's working with a vocal therapist. However, Jeff wants the album yesterday. Liam doesn't care what Jeff wants, and Rayna quite sadly says that if this is the last album she ever does, she doesn't want Jeff to own it. She wants to own it. She also might have to rethink her whole Edgehill exit strategy. Liam is willing to buy her some time by bolstering his reputation as a pain in the ass producer, and promises to delay the hell out of it. Rayna's voice is apparently fine for flirting, and she asks if he's doing it for her or just because he loves to stick it to the man. Liam gets serious for a moment and says he loves…the album that they made together. And Rayna loves that he loves the album that they made together. He wants to know if she's going to ask what he wants in return. DUH. Rayna sort of presses her shoulder against him and says she thought this was all about the music. NO SHE DIDN'T. And then they start making out. WOO! Only for a mere second or two, though, before they fall back on the couch and out of the frame.

It's time to go back to tortured Deacon. Yay? He visits Cole to say goodbye and thank him for reminding him that he can't run away from the fact that he's somebody's dad, as much as he wants to. Deacon can only promise a best effort, "for her." Cole asks what her Deacon is talking about, and the answer is Maddie.

And it's a good thing he's not talking about Rayna, since she's half-naked in bed with Liam, as their inaugural bone fest is complete. She asks if this is what happens when you mix business with pleasure. And here I thought you did that by playing mini-golf with your co-workers. In case you were wondering, Liam does NOT wear his fedora during sex. Rayna strokes his chest in a way that really shows off her manicure to full advantage, and asks what happens now. Liam says that they get back to work, and then they kiss some more. Since she can't sing, I guess this counts as work? Where do I apply for that job? And please tell me that Liam is going to be in many episodes this season.

Then it's time for the limo ride of awkwardness to the stockholders' showcase. Will first gets all "Will you be my beard" with Zoey, and then Gunnar's eyes pop out of his head when he sees Scarlett in four-inch heels with her boobs pushed up to her chin. He says, "I had no idea you could look that good." What he MEANS is, "You mean they didn't do ANYTHING to your scraggly weave?" SERIOUSLY. She thanks him for the compliment, after he confirms that it was indeed a compliment.

In Maryland, Juliette invites Mr. Charles "Hot Licks" Wentworth to the stage. I thought he was going to really stink it up or, like, open fire on the audience, but in fact he just stands there and plays the one chord he knows with some competence. We get a full Juliette song called "Trouble Is," which is quite enjoyable. Avery starts shredding on the guitar and when Juliette walks over to be stage-flirty with him he just glares in her direction.

And then it's time for the stockholders' showcase! It's no CMA Awards or Watty White tribute at the Ryman, but it does serve the function of getting most of our principal characters in one room and all dressed up. If there weren't so many industry parties, getting the gang together would be much more of a challenge. Jeff smiles with the country celebs, as Brent brings Will and Scarlett up for their photo op. Will is eating it up, though Scarlett looks a little uncomfortable still. Gunnar says to Zoey that this is the last they'll see of their dates tonight. Meanwhile, Rayna and Liam walk through the event with their tousled sex-hair, all aglow until they run into Jeff. He asks if they have an ETA on the album and Liam says it can't be rushed. Rayna claims to be at his mercy, and Jeff says he's just excited not only about the album, but to hear Rayna sing. He thanks her for making his night tonight. Okay, first of all, AS IF this guy likes country music. Second: best line ever: Liam says, "I thought you were going to make my night," and Rayna walks away while replying, "I already made your afternoon." MORE LIAM AND HIS SKINNY SCARVES! They make Rayna AND me so happy.

Compare this flirty bliss to Deacon, who got his doctor to come into the office at night after letting her know that he cut off his own cast. She's basically like WTF dude, and says that if he'd come to her sooner she would have given him something to manage the pain. Has he told her he's an addict? If yes, why is she still pushing drugs on him? Deacon says he thought he could push past the pain on his own, but that's not working. If she's still offering him help, he says, he'll take it. Like…pill help? Though I feel like an early 90s Steve Nicks-style Klonopin stupor might be just the ticket for this guy.

Back at the showcase, Layla Grant exits the stage as Jeff introduces Edgehill's huge superstar: Will Lexington. He's all cocky swagger and introduces his new, special song by the best songwriter in Nashville. That would be his good friend Gunnar Scott, who is sitting in the audience looking miserable. And I mean, I get it, but also you just got a HUGE shout-out! It's not like Will stole Gunnar's dead brother's songs. He's giving him full credit and the chance of a big hit. Will sounds great and is embracing his newfound fame through his crotch via the widest-legged stance I have ever seen. Note: doing the splits on stage is not going to boost your hetero cred.

Back in Maryland, Juliette goes to talk to Avery after the show and he kind of blows her off. The humidity in Maryland must be killer because both of them are having exceptionally bad hair moments. Juliette wonders if Avery is pissed that she let Charlie play with them, but of course Avery doesn't care about that. He came to Baltimore because he thought they were friends, so imagine his surprise when he discovered that he's just another guy on the payroll. And I mean…he IS on her payroll. She can't appreciate regular human affection, but he needs to calm down with the knowledge that she does sign his checks. I mean, Glen probably signs his checks, but it's HER signature. Juliette tells him that he's way too sensitive, and he turns it back, saying the problem COULDN'T be that she doesn't trust anyone enough to be her friend. She tells him that that's enough, and he retorts that it's the truth. He goes even further, saying the sad thing is that it's her choice -- she chooses to live unattached, unavailable, no commitment to anyone or anything beyond herself. Juliette tells him that if he doesn't stop talking he's fired, which he takes as proof that he was just the hired help. I mean, tough love, kind of, but give her a break. The girl's got issues.

Jeff then introduces Rayna and her gold lame jeans to the stage at the stockholders' convention. She's honored to be there, of course, and takes the opportunity to talk up her new label, Highway 65 Records. As a very special treat, she introduces…Scarlett. Liam smirks in the audience, while Jeff basically bites his own fist in rage. Scarlett looks like she might throw up as she approaches the stage. Jeff says to his Smithers-esque sidekick Brent, "Who does this woman think she is?" Brent answers, "Someone who clearly doesn't know who you are." Rayna looks back at Jeff, then out into the crowd, knowing that she will reap rewards for this transgression via a late-night boning with Liam. Scarlett sings her song, and it's a new and really sultry one. Not chipmunk-y at all! She rocks her sparkly heels and Rayna looks quite satisfied with the situation.

But why keep enjoying ourselves when we can move back to Deacon and his misery? He's back at the AA meeting, talking about his abusive alcoholic dick father. Once, when Deacon was ten, his mean drunk dad came home for a casserole dinner. He didn't like it, and so threw it in Deacon's mother's face. His mom screamed, and that made him angrier. So then he broke her nose. Deacon's older sister tried to fight him off, and he took off his belt and started to whip her. Deacon's sister was crying and his mom was screaming, "Is that what you want your son to see?" Deacon's dad looked over at him and said, "When you're a man you're going to be just like me." Deacon cries as he says he's a drunk, just like his dad, and he hurts people that he loves, just like his dad. But he's never hurt a child, and he'll be damned if he ever will. He wipes his face and heads to the back of the room where Coleman sits and puts his hand on Deacon's shoulder, saying he's proud. Oh, okay, FINE now I just want to give Deacon a big hug again. Sigh.

Back at the showcase, Will points at Gunnar in the crowd and again says he's the best songwriter in Nashville, but Gunnar just ignores him and makes a beeline to Scarlett. He tells her that she killed it onstage, and she admits she thought she was going to fall out of her top. Gunnar says she didn't, and he probably would have noticed. She in turn compliments him on his song, and Gunnar ruefully says that Will sure owned it. He's still glum about being in the audience and watching his friend and former love en route to fame and fortune. Scarlett doesn't have time to offer him solace, as Brent grabs her to talk to some bigwigs. We then do a quick cut to Maryland, where Juliette holds a glass of champagne and watches the Wentworths cuddle each other. Sadness abounds, which is the right thing since we are talking about country music.

Speaking of misery, Teddy is at Peggy's. Ugh. He tells her that though there's a lot that he's not sure about these days, he's not one to run away from his responsibilities. OH, so Deacon's little talk had a double meaning for Theodore senior, eh? What a jerk. He says that he always tried to be a good father, which is why he's struggling with this situation. He doesn't want the kid to grow up without a father, which Peggy totally knew would happen. Peggy asks where this leaves the two of them. He's not sure, but he knows that he and Peggy had something once. She says they still can, and then kisses him. He's so close to her fetus-free womb now you'd think he'd sense something. I'm going to start a change.org petition for a plot twist where these two get hit by a meteorite.

Back at the showcase, Zoey and Gunnar commiserate about their lousy dates. He asks if she wants to get out of there, and she says that's the best offer she's had all night. And THAT, my friends, is a girl-on-girl crime! You don't go off with your best friend's ex, and you most certainly don't give a seductive glance while you're at it.

Meanwhile, Liam and Rayna make a toast to talking up the label and keeping secrets safe. Just as they're enjoying their whiskey, Jeff asks for a moment alone with Rayna. He's pissed that she embarrassed him in front of stockholders. She says that she showed up and took the stage, and besides what's good for Highway 65 is good for Edgehill. She reminds Jeff that he said he was all about the future. But Jeff has a suspicious nature, and thinks there's more to it than that. Can she just not tell this dick that she's undergoing vocal therapy? She was in a coma for weeks! Deception and deceit, people. It is never the path of least resistance.

We're back in Maryland, where Juliette is wandering around the Wentworth mansion and trying to find her room. She maaaaaay be a little drunk. Okay, a lot drunk. Charles Wentworth runs into her and points out that her room is down on the right. He offers to escort her and she asks if it's a rough neighborhood. They link arms, and he thanks her for letting him play with the band. She tells him that he's not as bad as he thinks he is, and gives him a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 as a guitar player. As a husband, though, she gives him a 10 and tells him that Olivia is a very lucky lady. Apparently he sees this remark as foreplay and plants a kiss on her. To her credit, Juliette is shocked and asks what he's doing. She says he has a wife, and he says that she has a boyfriend. She reminds him that Avery is NOT her boyfriend, and maybe not even her friend now that he's called her unattached and unavailable. I love that the concept of having a friend is so foreign and confusing to Juliette. In any case, Charles points out that they have something in common since he's about as unavailable as you can get. And then they make out all the way into her room. Just ONE TIME can she make a good choice?

week: Rayna breaks the news to Juliette that she's cancelling the tour. Juliette tries to save her career, while Rayna tries to save her family. Apparently the latter isn't going so well, since Maddie ran away.

Potes just released her own country-ish album, and would be delighted if Will covered one of her songs at the stockholders' showcase. You can listen/download/buy at traciepotochnik.bandcamp.com.