#WelcomeBackRayna

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So, just for context, Deacon is still banging the nameless lady lawyer. She stays over his house and everything! Scarlett is happy for him and he even seems a little happy for himself, then maybe gets a job in a guitar store. Juliette stops by to see if he'll come back on tour with her, but of course his hand is busted and it's just too painful to be around music if he can't play. She asks if he's heard the rumors about Rayna's voice being gone, and he's shocked.

Juliette knows about these rumors herself because reporters ask her about them at a press conference for her new tour (sponsored by Neutrogena, in big letters). Juliette still hates Layla. She thinks a third, big cowboy-hat type artist should go on tour with them, and of course Will fits the bill just perfectly. He impresses her at a benefit held by hottest-country-star-in-the-US Luke Wheeler, which we'll get to in a minute.

And then there's Rayna. Rayna, Rayna, Rayna. She's working with a vocal coach, but still feels tight and weird of throat, and the coach suggests it might be stress. It very well might be, since Jeff Fordham is convinced that Rayna will never sing again and is demanding the masters for her new album. She pulls out "the Wyatt side of Rayna Jaymes," which really means that she asks Lamar if she can borrow $20 million to buy out her Edgehill contract. He's all, "…Sure!" because now they love each other and stuff.

And speaking of Lamar, he meets with Teddy because he wants to have contracts with the city again. Teddy refuses, given his "political ethics" (i.e., his hatred of Lamar). Meanwhile, Tandy makes a deal with the Feds to get immunity in the case against Lamar, but only if she keeps her mouth shut and doesn't tell anyone -- even Rayna. This makes it REALLY awkward when Rayna talks about that $20 million she's getting from Lamar for the Edgehill contract buyout.

And then there's the big Luke Wheeler benefit show, where a LOT of stuff happens. Scarlett has gone through Edgehill media training, where she is basically ordered not to be the bumbling bumpkin that she is at the benefit press line. She gets notecards to help her craft a "compelling story," and when she and Layla are getting their makeup done Layla takes them and tears them up. She tells Scarlett to be herself and people will love her, also mentioning along the way that she deferred Harvard to go on that TV talent show where she was runner-up. Is Layla scheming, we are left to wonder? Yes. Yes she is. We know this for sure because of her smirk at Scarlett's hopelessness on the press line. All of this does not go unnoticed by Will. Jeff yanks Scarlett away from any press and tells her to go home. Will is peeved at Layla (who is also riding his jock SO HARD) until she tweets something about #laylaandwill that gets him a lot of buzz. Jeff wants the two of them to pretend to be a couple, and Will agrees even though he totally secretly wants to give his heart to the wonderful Brent.

Just as Rayna is getting ready to go to the benefit, Deacon lets himself in her house. WTF? They have that kind of relationship now? What a creepy thing to do. Anyway, he confronts her about her lost voice and she asks him about his hand, and it's all tragedy and just a little inscrutable… but they do not kiss or anything redemptive like that. Back at his house, Deacon plays the piano and Scarlett comes home and they sing together, so music is not lost for either of them. Victory?

Back at the benefit, Rayna takes the stage to invite Juliette to join the Grand Ole Opry. Juliette is stunned and legit honored. And then Luke Wheeler asks Rayna if she'll sing for the crowd. She panics, but he pushes her into it and then the band starts playing. Jeff smirks in the crowd. Rayna starts off sounding fine, but then she sort of stops with a panicked look, and then Luke starts singing along, and then she's ok again, and then she panics again. And then the crowd starts singing along and she holds out the microphone to them. Bolstered by the love -- there are miracles! Rayna can totally sing again! And she sounds way better than last season, even. Good work, vocal coach! After the show, Luke (who is clearly a Rayna fan) tells Rayna that he asked her to sing in part to trump Juliette's Opry invite because he haaaaates her. Juliette overhears and her moment of triumph is squashed, per usual. Also, that was shitty of Rayna not to defend her, and Juliette knows it. Riding high on the confidence of being able to sing, Rayna confronts Jeff and tells him she's buying out her contract. OR IS SHE? As you guessed, Lamar has been arrested and his assets are frozen. He's convinced that Teddy -- who just happened to be in the same bar when Lamar was arrested -- is behind it all and vows to make him pay. Tandy wonders what she hath wrought.

Meanwhile, improbable as it sounds, Avery and Gunnar are playing music together. They have a song that could use a female voice, and Avery suggests Zoey. And thus, Zunvery is born. They sound great together even if she really isn't even singing all that much. And then Gunnar and Zoey totally bang each other. Zoey feels a little shitty about it afterwards, as she should. Avery, meanwhile, declines to come back to Juliette's tour, saying he wants to work on his own stuff. Juliette, who now understands the value of friendship, gives him the keys to her state-of-the-art studio to use while she's gone.

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Previously: Will performed Gunnar's song without his permission, and Gunnar was pissed. Also, Gunnar and Zoey were getting along suspiciously well. Rayna had some lasting throat problems from her coma intubation and cancelled the remainder of the Red Lips White Lies tour, leaving Juliette to invite Layla Grant to open for her. Juliette also insulted Avery when he overheard her saying that he wasn't a boy/friend -- just on the payroll. Deacon got frisky with the hot lady lawyer who got him out of jail, and Tandy gave a heap of evidence against Lamar to the feds when she realized that he probably killed her mom. You know… as you do.

We enter with Scarlett hearing footsteps and saying to Deacon that there's coffee in the kitchen. Except it isn't Deacon who emerged from Deacon's bedroom -- it's hot lady lawyer, wearing one of his shirts. Her name actually is Megan, which I had to Google to remember. But is that something we REALLY have to hold in our brains for any length of time? I'm going to guess no and recap accordingly. Deacon rushes out (gratuitously shirtless -- thanks, show!), noting that Scarlett was supposed to stay at Zoey's place. She just laughs at him and heads out to media training (because she needs it), telling him that she's happy to see he's moved on. Deacon apologizes to hot lady lawyer, I guess because he thinks the sight of a bumpkin niece with her scraggly weave might make her sophisticated ass uncomfortable. But she's fine, and the two of them are in… something. Hot lady lawyer has to go since she has a busy day at the office, and Deacon notes that everyone has stuff to do except for him, and he'll likely spend his time reading the instruction book for his new deep fryer. How is it that he makes having a deep fryer sound so sexy? Like, what would you give to spend a Thursday night deep frying some shit with this guy? Anyway, hot lady lawyer seems a little uncomfortable, but at least doesn't suggest that he sue the city again.

Meanwhile, Rayna is working with her vocal therapist. She sings a thing and then says that her voice is still "catching" and feels tight. The vocal therapist says that this can happen with scar tissue, adding that healing is halted by anxiety, which could be why Rayna is feeling tense and tight. They then do some exercises so that Rayna can feel "resonance in her mask." IS THAT A METAPHOR? In any case, her throat might be busted but her manicure looks on point, per usual.

Then we're at a press event for Juliette's new Inside the Dream tour, prominently sponsored by Neutrogena. She says that this will be her most exciting tour yet, as photos snap. One reporter congratulates her on her CMA, asking how she can follow that. She talks about living in the moment, though she says there are a few more gems she wouldn't mind adding to her crown. Another reporter asks if one of those gems might be someone special. Ideally one who doesn't steal all her money and try to blackmail her with a sex tape. Juliette is a pro, saying that she has millions of someone specials in her fans. And THEN a reporter in big glasses (that's how you know he's a troublemaker) asks if the Red Lips White Lies tour was cancelled because the accident damaged Rayna's voice. Juliette tells the dude to stop spreading false rumors, adding that Rayna dropped the tour to spend time with her girls. She's in support of that, and not just because she gets to headline on her own again.

In contrast to media expert Juliette, there is Scarlett. Her team of media handlers give her some gorgeous photos from last episode's shoot, and a very sharp looking lady tells her that she's going to knock 'em dead at Luke Wheeler's benefit show. All of the Edgehill up and coming artists will walk the press line, and so they're giving Scarlett some practice questions. The first is, "When did you first know you wanted to be a singer?" And then Scarlett starts rambling on about how she never actually knew she wanted to be a singer and wrote poems and stuff, and the sharp looking lady stops her and is basically like, "You're kidding, right?" She tells her to be more poised and confident and less "bumbling hillbilly." Brent also tells her not to say that she never wanted this, because then people will resent her success. And they won't even KNOW how publishing deals and recording contracts basically fall out of the sky and hit her in the head all the time. Scarlett doesn't want to lie to people, and the media specialist lady tells her that she won't have to -- they're going to use true facts from her life to craft a compelling story. Meanwhile, how is it that this crack team of handlers hasn't de-scraggled her weave yet?

Then we're back with Juliette, who's planning out some details of her show. Layla Grant runs up to note that Edgehill's publicity department is doing a behind the scenes video about her getting ready for her first big tour (which, Juliette corrects her, is actually her little spot on Juliette's big tour) and is hoping to get some interviews with her. Juliette suggests that she schedule something with Glen, and Layla goes skipping off. Glen then walks up to Juliette and notes that she has some time later in the week. But what Juliette really wants is to get rid of Layla altogether, which is impossible at this point. And so her devious brain sets itself to figuring out a way to limit Layla's time onstage. Maybe Jolene could come back from the dead and have a heavy light fall right on Layla's head during rehearsal?

At the Jaymes Manse, Bucky reports grim news about Scarlett's media training. Rayna offers to step in, but he doesn't think that's necessary yet. Note: IT IS NECESSARY. And then Bucky offers some good news and bad news. The good news is that Steve Buchanan and Pete Fisher (who are the Grand Ole Opry guys) would like Rayna to invite Juliette to be a member of the Opry at the Luke Wheeler benefit concert. Dress code is "denim and diamonds." This does not seem to be much incentive for Rayna, who asks for the comparatively bad news. It is as such: Jeff Fordham is convinced that Rayna's never going to sing again. He's demanding the masters for the new album. Rayna says that Liam's in Europe and so this is impossible. Unless Rayna can walk away from Edgehill and take the album with her, says Bucky, Edgehill owns it. And Jeff said that before the goodwill from the accident is gone, he wants to release Rayna Jaymes' final album. And, hmmm. Maybe Rayna and Jeff aren't going to bone after all. She gets a real pissed-southern-lady look about her and says, "I really think it's time that Jeff Fordham met the Wyatt side of Rayna Jaymes." By which she means the side that can spend millions of dollars buying out her contract.

And then we get to meet Luke Wheeler, country music superstar who has just joined Edgehill's ranks. He walks with Jeff at the Edgehill offices and says they're going to do big things together. Will is in the lobby looking on, and Layla approaches him to say it's just a matter of time before he's a bigger star than Luke. But he's more impressed with the fact that Juliette invited Layla over to her house to ask her to go on tour. Layla then flirts up the wrong tree, saying that if you'd have asked her a few weeks ago which Edgehill artist would be the first to invite her over she would have guessed Will Lexington. He kind of hates her obvious ass already, you can tell. Scarlett shows up and Will asks how the prettiest singer in all of Tennessee is doing before giving her a big bear hug. In other words: suck it, Layla Grant. He runs off to talk to Jeff, and Layla says she didn't realize Scarlett and Will were so close. Scarlett says that they're just friends. Meanwhile, Will is apologizing to Jeff about the mix-up with Gunnar's song. Jeff, who is apparently no longer Will's biggest fan, says, "The thing about mistakes, Will, is the more you make… the longer you stay a rookie." Brent is standing nearby and tells Will not to worry -- he'll smooth things over. Will snaps back "I don't need YOUR help," which, actually, he really does. Being in the closet deprives you of all sense!

We cut to Tandy in the office of the Feds, where they're formalizing her deal in exchange for the dirty stuff she handed over on Lamar. They'll give her full immunity on the condition that she not speak about the investigation OR Lamar's involvement in Virginia's death to anyone -- even Rayna. Tandy doesn't think she can keep this from Rayna, but the Feds say that she has to -- they can't risk Lamar getting wind of the investigation and fleeing. If she refuses to agree to the gag order, she'll be charged as a conspirator. Silence is the best protection for her and her family. Her lawyer looks over and just says, "Take the deal." She signs the papers, even though I would have recommended consulting Deacon's hot lady lawyer friend first. Her advice probably would have been to sue the city, and then she would have talked about her dead ex-husband a bunch and bored the Feds into letting Tandy do what she wants.

Speaking of Lamar, Rayna is visiting him at his house. I think she went there just to take advantage of the uber-soft lighting in his library. She tells him that she wants to leave Edgehill and take Highway 65 with her. In somewhat related news, Highway 65 doesn't even go through Tennessee. Maybe it's time to do a recheck on her post-accident cognitive skills? Anyway, Lamar is proud of Rayna's burgeoning entrepreneurship, and she says that taking everything with her has to be fast, and isn't going to be cheap. Lamar is surprised that she's asking for help. She's a little uncomfortable about it, but since the accident she's realized the value of family (and especially family money) more than ever. He asks how much she needs, and she estimates the cost at about $20 million. She clarifies that it won't be a gift -- Lamar will be an investor. He tells her that he'll have the paperwork drawn up. I guess when you can just write a check for $20 million you have ready access to the most flattering lights known to man, too.

Then we're at the empty Bluebird, where -- yes, believe it! -- Gunnar and Avery are playing a song together. They've got a sort of quasi-Everly Brothers sound about them, and though they sound great Avery stops. He says that the song would sound amazing with a female voice in the mix. Okay, first of all, Avery HAS a female voice. The dude can sing really high! This is shenanigans. Of course he thinks that they should ask Zoey -- he's heard her sing, and says she's incredible. Gunnar notes that it might be kind of awkward. More awkward than him forming a duo with Avery? He says that Scarlett has told Zoey stuff about him, and probably about Avery too. Avery draws on his innate coolness to say, "That's just how chicks are, man." He tells Gunnar that it will be fine, even though obviously it's all going to be the opposite of fine.

And then we're with Deacon at what appears to be a high-end guitar store. Apparently he's finally considering an offer (that's been made by the owners several times before) to buy in. He'll hand over some money and get his name on the door, and then can be as involved as he wants, possibly with a specialty in selecting vintage inventory. There's a customer who needs a recommendation, which Deacon gives with quite a bit of expertise. The guy then says, "Hey, you're that guitar player… Deacon Claybourne." Deacon says, "…Used to be." I would like this storyline better if he was just applying for a job at Guitar Center.

Jeff then meets with Juliette, who's come to him with an offer. She says that she's taking his contest runner-up on the road with her, and Jeff notes that it could be argued that Layla is helping Juliette more than the other way around. Still, Juliette's thinking that there's a little too much estrogen on her tour. She'd like to round it out with a big-hat male act to get her audience hot and bothered. Jeff acknowledges that it's a good idea, and Glen adds that they're looking at artists on other labels. However, if Jeff could see it in his heart to spend more money marketing Juliette's album, she'd be willing to push an Edgehill artist to the top of her list. And with her shows selling out, that big-hat guy would get a lot of exposure. When she and Glen have left the meeting, he suggests she stop "poking the bear" (if only he knew the half of it) and reminds her that she still needs a bandleader for the tour. He asks if she wants "that Avery kid" in the band, and she says no -- she doesn't need him. OR DOES SHE?

And then Lamar goes to see Teddy. He wants them to bury the hatchet -- e.g., he's interested in regaining some city contracts. Particularly, there's a new city-wide music and arts festival, and Wyatt Industries wants to be a corporate sponsor. What does Wyatt Industries even DO? Anyway, Lamar is still pissed that Teddy canceled all of his contracts, particularly after Lamar financed his entire mayoral campaign. But Teddy wants to keep his promise to clean up the city, and Wyatt Industries is as dirty as a mud-wrestling ring. Lamar tells Teddy that he'll regret this. Teddy just looks at him and says, "No. I don't think I will." Then there's a ringing "Mwah ha ha ha!" but it's unclear who it came from.

And then we're at the Luke Wheeler benefit pre-show. Will checks out the stage, and Jeff asks if he's going to prove that those rookie mistakes are behind him. It turns out that Jeff has asked Luke to give Will a slot in the show, which is also an unofficial audition to be an opener on Juliette's tour. AND it was Brent who talked Jeff into this. See? Be nicer to your closet boyfriend, people of the world!

Then we're back at the Jaymes Manse, where Rayna is talking to Tandy about how she's inviting Juliette into the Opry at the benefit. Rayna thinks it's the right thing to do, and might score some brownie points with Maddie who is also doing quite a bit better. And then it's time for the real news. Rayna is buying herself out of Edgehill… using Lamar's money. Tandy seems shocked and agitated as Rayna goes on about how she's trying to establish more trust with Lamar. By borrowing $20 million? If she had more time, she says, this isn't the way she'd choose to do it. Tandy just takes a big bite of something crunchy and says, "…Yeah." Way to stick to the gag order in the face of a real shitshow, though!

Then we're with Scarlett and Layla, who are getting their makeup and hair done before the benefit. Scarlett is reviewing index cards with her talking points, which -- because she is so stupid -- involves talking out loud. Layla tells her it's always scary at first, and Scarlett notes that Layla doesn't seem scared. It turns out that Layla started singing in pageants at age six, and there was always a question-and-answer category. Scarlett asks if she always wanted to be a singer and Layla doesn't hesitate to say yes -- in fact, she deferred Harvard to compete on American Hitmaker. Channeling her talents into Ivy League a capella apparently wasn't enough for this bitch. Scarlett asks if Layla resents her for stumbling into a record deal when she didn't even want one. I mean, I do, and I am cognizant of the fact that she's a fictional character. Layla says that she's heard Scarlett sing, and she writes beautiful songs. She adds that the girl who won American Hitmaker tried out on a dare. Fans didn't care that she hadn't been singing her whole life -- they thought she was talented, and so they voted for her. She asks to see Scarlett's cards and tears them up, telling her not to worry so much about what the publicist says, and just be herself. This is no doubt the worst advice that could possibly be given. We are left to wonder if Layla is a kind friend or evil genius, but not for long.

We cut to Gunnar at his house with Zoey. They're waiting on Avery to show up, and Gunnar wonders if Scarlett knows that Zoey is there. She doesn't, because Zoey figured that Gunnar would be awkward enough to deal with without dragging Scarlett into things. Also, because Zoey is shady. Gunnar confirms his initial suspicion that this all is indeed awkward, but Zoey says that she's Switzerland, and they're cool. I would add that when it comes to your lifelong BFF and her ex-boyfriend who you met like a week ago, you shouldn't be Switzerland AT ALL. Then Avery shows up and says he likes what Gunnar's done with the place. Maturity!

Juliette stops by Deacon's house, noting that the place looks great and Scarlett has been taking good care of him. Deacon says that he's been going to a lot of physical therapy, and thanks her for the doctor recommendation. And on that note, Juliette wonders if Deacon will consider coming back out on the road with her. He tells her that her hand is still busted, then returns the beautiful guitar she gave him, saying it deserves to be played and he can't do that right now. She proposes coming up with a tour position where he doesn't have to play, but he says he can't. He's stepping away… from all of it. It hurts too much to be around music if he can't play. Juliette mutters that it's a shame that the accident ruined two great careers, and Deacon grabs her to ask what she's talking about. Apparently he hasn't heard the rumors about Rayna's voice. She reports that people are saying Rayna can't sing. Juliette doesn't know if they're true, but does know that Rayna's passed up every opportunity she's had. Deacon then manages to look even MORE tortured, though we didn't think that was possible.

We then see Will rehearsing for the benefit show as Juliette looks on approvingly. She approaches him to introduce herself and tell him that he killed it even in rehearsal. Luke Wheeler walks up and tells Will that he reminds him of himself when he was starting out. Juliette interrupts to introduce herself to Luke to thank him for including her in the show. He says, "Well, it is a benefit, and you are a big name." And then he gives a cheesy finger point at both of them and thanks them for helping out. Juliette tells Will that he was just christened the Luke Wheeler, and invites him to come on tour with her. Jeff watches and after Juliette leaves, he and Will high-five. And then Will gives a very manly high-five to a waiting Brent, finally acknowledging that he did need Brent's help. He grabs Brent's arm and thanks him, and Brent says he was happy to do it since he believes in Will. And then they lock eyes and smile at each other and as Brent walks away Will looks vaguely tortured. And really… don't you guys think Brent can do better? Find a nice out guy who doesn't wear the stupid cowboy hat all the time or bang girls, I say!

Far away from this big-time fancy stage is Gunnar's living room, where the newly christened (by me) Zunvery are singing their debut song. And, okay. Avery made such a big deal about getting a lady voice in there, but Zoey sings exactly three words and an "ooh" in the chorus, and when you can actually hear her she's vaguely off-key. It's one step up (or maybe down?) from doing literally nothing. Oh wait -- she DOES twirl her hair occasionally. A closer inspection of this scene, however, reveals Avery giving a shifty-eyed look at the vibing that's happening between Gunnar and Zoey as they sing. This plus week's preview of post-coital Scarlett and Avery reminds us that when he's not being totally idiotic Avery too can be an evil genius of sorts.

And then we're on the press line with the Edgehill young guns. Layla is of course a pro, but when Jeff steers Scarlett toward a reporter who asks her if she grew up singing Rayna's songs, things go askew. Scarlett mentions that she was too shy to sing except in church, then mentions meeting Rayna through Deacon. Jeff looks concerned as the reporter asks if Scarlett knows why Deacon was drinking on the night of his accident. Scarlett is obviously not prepared to handle this other than to say it's a personal matter, and then starts to talk about how she had to be dragged up on stage at the Bluebird open mic. Jeff basically gets a giant dogcatcher's net and drags her away from reporters, telling her that when she goes off book and loses control of the conversation, she looks like a fool, and that makes him look like a fool. She offers to just watch the show and not talk to anyone, but that's apparently worse because she'll seem aloof. Jeff tells her to stay on script or go home, and Scarlett says that she really wants to be herself. Terrible instincts, that one. So Jeff tells Brent to get her out of there. Will watches all this with concern, then turns his gaze to Layla, who gives a satisfied little smirk. Apparently her proposed major at Harvard was "Subterfuge." I never thought I'd say this, but: poor Scarlett.

And then Rayna's getting ready to head to the benefit when the door to her house opens. It's freakin' Deacon, who's all, "I let myself in." Yeah, we saw that. First of all, if I were Rayna Jaymes I would lock my doors. And second: knock, fool! They haven't exaaactly been on the best of terms lately. Deacon confirms that the girls aren't there, and then asks Rayna why she didn't tell him that she couldn't sing. She asks who he heard that from, and he just asks if it's true. She says she's working with a vocal therapist, and it's taking some time. He asks repeatedly and very seriously if she can sing until she finally admits that she doesn't know. She adds that she's not quite sure what's going to come out of her mouth when she opens it, leaving us all to wonder if one of the things that might come out is, "OBVIOUSLY I STILL LOVE YOU DEACON." It doesn't, though. She says that everything's different now, and then asks Deacon how his hand is doing. He looks at it and says he's done, and isn't going to be anybody's guitarist anytime soon. She tells him that he doesn't need to be anybody's guitar player, and might need to take a minute and figure out who he is without a guitar in his hand. But, she tells him with tears in her eyes, "Don't you ever say you're done with music." He says, "You either, okay." And that's it! They don't hug or high five or plan to have coffee or discuss that they have a teenage daughter together or anything. He doesn't even compliment her tight sparkly pants. Sad face.

And then we're at the benefit proper, where Will is just finishing up his number to a standing ovation. He looks like Luke's double, except that Will is wearing a black button down shirt and black cowboy hat as a foil to Luke's white button down shirt and white cowboy hat. The diversity of contemporary country music on full display! When he's offstage, Juliette tells Will that he's even better in front of a crowd. Just as they're having a nice moment, Layla comes over and gives Will a big hug that he does not reciprocate. Juliette says it's nice that they're already friends, since Layla will have to cut fifteen minutes from her set to make room for Will. When Juliette's gone, Layla asks if Will thinks she enjoyed that a little too much, and he notes that it seemed to mirror Layla's reaction with Scarlett on the press line. Will may be a closet case, but he's no dummy. He says that Layla can play innocent all she wants, but he knows that she did something to mess with Scarlett.

Then we're back at Deacon's house, where he's plunking out a haunting melody on a little piano with his non-busted hand. Scarlett comes in, ranting. He notes that Cinderella doesn't seem to have had a very good time at the ball, and she asks him to continue playing the piano.

Then we cut to Gunnar's place. Avery has gone home, and the lights are conspicuously lower. Zoey compliments Gunnar on his song (which is apparently the one that Zunvery was playing, the chorus of which ended with, "Don't you wanna be my girl?") and asks when he wrote it. He gets a little shy and claims not to remember, and she is weirded out by his weirdness and gets ready to go. He grabs her arm and admits that he wrote it after the stockholders' showcase -- yes, he wrote it for Zoey. And then they start to kiss, and in a nanosecond both of their shirts are off. It's a good thing we established last week that she's kind of a slut, eh? Otherwise banging her best friend's ex without a word of hesitation or protest might seem a little out of character.

And then we go back to the Luke Wheeler benefit, where Juliette has just finished performing. Before she runs off, though, Luke says there's someone who wants to talk to her. Rayna walks on stage, much to Juliette's surprise. Rayna talks about all the time she's spent with Juliette over the past year, and how she's starting to feel like family. And, she says, there's another family out there who would love to embrace Juliette with open arms, if she'll have them. And then Rayna invites Juliette to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Luke fake smiles and congratulates her, and Juliette real-cries. She's legit honored and perhaps a smidge overwhelmed, which must be rare for her. Rayna hugs and congratulates her, and then the two women start to walk offstage.

But wait! Luke stops Rayna before she walks off the stage, then asks the crowd to let her know how happy they are that she didn't die and stuff. And then OF COURSE he wants her to sing, saying how much everyone has missed her voice and how it would make the folks at home be even more generous with their donations. Raya looks nervous, and then gets a big smile saying that she doesn't have anything rehearsed so no number tonight. Jeff looks on with interest as Luke asks her to do one of the old ones, saying that the band probably knows them by heart. Then he gets the band to start, basically leaving Rayna no choice but to stand there, vulnerable in her purple and black striped bedazzled jeans. Denim WITH diamonds, everybody.

The crowd has gone crazy and the band strikes up the number, and Rayna has absolutely no game face. She looks terrified, but starts the song. And then the first half of the first verse is totally good. I mean, she sounds better than on literally any of the songs from last season. Nice tone, the whole nine. And then her voice sort of gives out and she looks really panicked and stops singing, and Luke keeps the melody going for her. She joins back in, and then in the pre-chorus, when there's a line about not being proud of her mistakes, she kind of starts crying and stops singing. But hey! The audience knows every word of this song, and they pick it right up. The chorus talks about the best songs coming from broken hearts, busted dreams and beat-up guitars. NOT busted hands, though, sorry Deacon. Rayna holds the microphone out to the audience as Juliette watches from the side of the stage and looks vaguely pissed. And then Rayna, bolstered by the love of the crowd, picks it right up at the belty part and sounds totally great. Mad props, Connie Britton and behind-the-scenes vocal coach! She also plays the hell out of this scene if you ask me and I totally got a little misty. SHUT UP, I know. Anyway, #welcomebackrayna!

And then we cut to Lamar and Smithers (hi Smithers! It's been a while!) going to that weird bar that they like where there are all sorts of guys in business suits. Shudder. Teddy is there, watching Rayna sing on TV. Lamar wants to go somewhere else until Smithers points out Rayna performing. Lamar toasts to his daughter, saying he couldn't be prouder to be a part of the chapter of her career. This particular celebration is short-lived, though, as Lamar is arrested right there for racketeering, conspiracy, bribery and extortion. As he's hauled off in handcuffs, Lamar looks back at Teddy with what could only be described as a death glare. We cut back to Rayna ending her triumphant return to the stage and giving a hug to Luke, despite the fact that the best songs don't come from racketeering charges.

After the show, Brent and Jeff tell Will that he's trending on Twitter. Layla posted a photo of the two of them on the red carpet with the caption, "OMG check out this hottie I get to hang with on tour! #laylaandwill" This is an opportunity for Will to engage with the fans, says Jeff, and since they're already invested in #laylaandwill, why not give it to them? Brent gives a curious look as Will confirms that Jeff wants him to date Layla. Jeff of course doesn't care if they're an actual couple, but thinks they should take this chance to deflect some of her shine onto him. Despite the fact that a) he's TOTALLY GAY and b) he already hates Layla, Will is on board for the fauxmance. When things go bad and Layla starts tweeting, "#willisabighomo" he has no one to blame but himself.

Meanwhile, Juliette and Glen celebrate her Opry induction. She does note that Rayna's timing in proving that she could sing totally killed her moment, but both of them know that Rayna didn't do it on purpose. Speaking of Rayna, Luke comes up and gives her a big hug, thanking her for performing. She asks if his kids like music, and he says it's their second favorite hobby after getting his goat. Man, I kind of hate this guy already. He adds that he wasn't thrilled when his night was hijacked to invite "some little flash in the pan" to join the Opry, but since it led to Rayna singing, he's gotten over it. Rayna doesn't defend Juliette, but just says, "See you soon." Of course, Juliette and Glen overhear all of this, and she looks quite hurt.

Rayna then goes to see Jeff, telling him to stop spreading rumors about her voice and to stop threatening her album. But Jeff still wants to get the album done and launch it as a comeback before the heat from her near-death experience is gone. She says that she's not doing a comeback album, and he tells her to handle the singing and he'll take care of the marketing. They're a team, he says, and are going to make this album multi-platinum. Rayna corrects him, saying that she'll do what the hell she wants with her album AND with her artist. She's not thrilled with how Scarlett was treated tonight. Jeff points out that he did her a favor with Scarlett, and also Rayna's album is actually Edgehill's. And Highway 65 is a vanity project, which allows Rayna to give a stamp of approval to artists she believes in so he can use her name to help them get exposure. Rayna tells Jeff that she's done with him and Edgehill, and he'll get her buyout paperwork week. She storms off, but her moment of righteous indignation is short lived as Bucky tells her that Lamar's been arrested on federal charges. Guess she shouldn't have mentioned that buyout to Jeff just quite yet, eh?

And then we're back at Deacon's place where Scarlett has picked up a banjo. Deacon's still at the piano, and they sing a hauntingly dark song together. We then cut to Gunnar and Zoey, asleep post-boning, on the floor. Zoey wakes up and looks a little guiltily at sleeping Gunnar, puts on her shirt and leaves. Then we cut to Rayna and Tandy watching a news report about Lamar's arrest, which mentions that his assets have been frozen. And then we cut to Juliette looking at all of her awards and being sad. And finally we're back with Deacon and Scarlett. She says that this is what she should be doing -- writing songs and playing them in Deacon's living room. She doesn't need a contract, she says. He's basically like, "Don't be an idiot." If she leaves, he says, she'll miss that magic and connection with an audience. Just like he misses it.

Then we're at the Bluebird, where Juliette has come to see Avery. She says she finally gets why he was pissed off at her for calling him the help. It sucks when you think someone's got your back and they don't. I assume she's talking about Rayna here, and I agree that it was kind of a dick move for Rayna not to say a nice word or two on her behalf. Juliette says that she got invited to join the Opry, and her first thought was that she couldn't wait to tell Avery. REALLY? Her first thought? Anyway, she apologizes and asks if he's ready to come back out on the road and play guitar, adding that she could use a friend. He says he can't, and she lets him know that she apologized once, but isn't going to do it twice. It's not the job for him, though, since he wants to focus on working on his own stuff. And now I'm sure Zunvery is going to take off, and fans will go wild over Zoey standing on stage and singing one note in each song. Pure, raw talent on display! Juliette then hands Avery the key to her studio, saying he can use it anytime he wants. Aw, those two!

And then an extra-agitated Tandy visits Lamar in jail. He starts off by saying he knows… and she looks nervous. But what he "knows" is that it was Teddy who ratted him out. He says that he put the Feds onto Teddy's embezzlement when he was threatening to sue for full custody of the girls, in an effort to protect Rayna. But as the Mayor, Teddy has access to all sorts of inside information about Lamar's contracts with the city. Tandy asks if Lamar thinks that Teddy cut a deal to save himself, and Lamar says he's certain of it -- just as certain as he is that Teddy's going to pay for this. And then Tandy REALLY feels like an asshole since the father of (at least one of) her nieces is now going to get killed. Unless of course Lamar finds out the truth, in which case SHE is going to get killed.

week: by the looks of it, someone will be singing the Ascot Gavotte.

Potes just released her own country-ish album, and also has never slept with a BFF's ex. You can listen/download/buy at traciepotochnik.bandcamp.com.

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