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Rayna starts off the episode being interviewed by Robin Roberts, saying that she's doing great despite Lamar's arrest and giving a giggle-laden "no comment" when asked about her romantic life. She also tries to give Scarlett a confidence boost and has booked her a showcase at the Bluebird to be attended by some media bigwigs. There's been no luck trying to attach Scarlett to a big tour, and Rayna thinks maybe Juliette will take her on, because her tour doesn't have enough acts already.
And then everyone goes to a big old polo match! It's not usually Juliette's scene, but she's gotten a mystery invitation and so thinks she's finally got an in with the upper crust. It's not usually Rayna's scene, but she's trying to find investors for Highway 65. It's not usually Deacon's scene, but hot lady lawyer's firm is sponsoring the match. And it's not usually Luke Wheeler's scene, but he's totally trying to bone Rayna. It IS usually Charlie Wentworth's scene, and of course he's the one who invited Juliette. She's co-opted by his wife, Olivia, but Charlie manages to find a way to get her back into the stable where…she sings a song with his good-time stable jug band? I don't know, it's weird. Anyway, this (plus the sight of seeing wife Olivia slap him) is enough to make Juliette agree to bone Charlie for a six-week period under the guise of working on Teddy's new music festival. This all happens despite Rayna's unsolicited advice that country music is driven by female fans who don't like husband-stealing hussies. Juliette and Charlie retire to his penthouse and as they are boning wife Olivia walks in on them, and they're so enamored of each other that they don't even notice her. But let me assure you: she is PISSED.
The polo match is rife with other encounters, including that of Tandy with one of Lamar's former business associates who makes some dastardly implications. And then there's Rayna and Deacon. Hot lady lawyer will not even let those two have half a decent conversation, and afterwards is like, "I'm not threatened! Aren't I so awesome?" If you're so cool with it let them talk for three seconds without interruption! God. If only Liam were there to wave his scarf around and make everything better.
Elsewhere, Scarlett goes to talk to Avery about being intimidated by all the wild success in her life, and then they bone. I think it was his talk of golden handcuffs that did it, and/or their heated video game competition. And Zoey tells Gunnar in no uncertain terms that they can't bang each other anymore, because it makes her feel like a super slutty bad friend. WHICH SHE IS. Gunnar thinks this is bunk, and after Zoey learns that Scarlett and Avery might have a chance of reconciling she recants her earlier statement and kisses Gunnar right while Scarlett is onstage singing. Super slutty bad friend redux!
Meanwhile, Rayna is pleased that Luke Wheeler (who, we learned at the polo match, is divorced) has come to check out Scarlett at the Bluebird. (Scarlett kills it, by the way, which I'm sure comes as a huge surprise to everyone.) Luke and Rayna hang out in the parking lot for a minute and she asks if he'd take Scarlett on as an opening act. Luke kisses Rayna, which is unexpected and totally awkward. But he agrees to take Scarlett on the road, perhaps with the contingency that Rayna shows up every now and again. Because not enough people on this show are boning!
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously on Nashville: Rayna got all sassy with Jeff Fordham about her buyout deal, and then realized that Lamar had been arrested and his assets frozen. Whoops! Gunnar's penis fell into Zoey's lady parts. Whoops! Deacon remained tortured about his busted hand and started plunking around on the piano. Not so much whoops there. Scarlett maybe had a twinge or two of feeling for Avery. Whoops-ish. Luke Wheeler joined Edgehill and strutted around confidently in his cowboy hat. Zero whoops. And Juliette boned married gazillionaire Charlie Wentworth after playing a fifth anniversary show for him and his wife. Quasi-whoops, in accordance with the giant whoops that is Juliette's entire life.
We open with two newspapers on a coffee table. One has as its headline news of Lamar's indictment by the feds, while the other proclaims, "Rayna is back!" Speaking of Rayna, she's being interviewed by Robin Roberts, who asks how it felt to learn of Lamar's arrest on the very night of her own triumphant return to the stage (and on the heels of her widely noted near-death experience). Rayna was of course shocked and upset, and Robin asks if any of the allegations reconcile with the man who raised her. Um, yes. But Rayna says that she likes to believe that her father is an ethical man, noting that he always kept his business dealings separate. Plus, innocent until proven guilty and all that. Robin then asks the question that Rayna's fans want to know: How is she holding up? Rayna talks about the perspective that near-death experiences can bring, and says she's focusing on the things that are important -- her girls, her music, her label. She then points out Scarlett, who is observing the interview. And THEN Robin asks if Rayna has any time for romance. Rayna says "no comment," the cackles like a lady who has felt the magic that happens when Liam takes off his scarf, if you know what I mean. Speaking of, WHERE IS LIAM? Ugh.
We then cut to Deacon, who is playing a new song on the piano. The refrain goes, "You're the kind of trouble I could get into," and on cue hot lady lawyer walks out of his bedroom. She says, "You have a really nice voice," which is about the stupidest thing a human could say in this moment. You've been boning him for weeks. Try picking up one of his records, you dolt! She confirms with him that playing piano is easier with his busted hand, and then talk turns to the Belle Meade Invitational polo match, which her firm is sponsoring. Deacon quickly plans to schedule a root canal, and hot lady lawyer tells him not to be a reverse snob. Is that like reverse racism? Anyway, she HAS to go since her firm is sponsoring it, and Deacon tells her that he's happy to be in the position where he does not have to go. She then says fine, she'll ask somebody else. He asks if there IS anybody else, and then she asks if he CARES if there's somebody else. He says no, and she says she doesn't care either. Legitimate question here: are we supposed to like these two together?
Back at Rayna's, Scarlett notes that she could take a few media lessons from the queen herself, and Rayna tells her that she'll be just fine and shouldn't let Jeff get to her. They've booked Scarlett as a featured performer at the Bluebird the night, and are hoping to get people talking about her and get her reviewed. Thus, critics will be in attendance, and hopefully generate some buzz before Scarlett even gets into the studio. They're also trying to get her booked as an opener for a big tour, even though I personally am not sure how she'd fare in an arena. No one ever consults me on these matters! Bucky gets a text from Jeff, and Scarlett takes her leave. It turns out that Jeff wants to know when he'll get Rayna's buyout offer. This of course has been complicated with the freezing of Lamar's assets, and Rayna instructs Bucky to tell Jeff that he'll get it when he gets it. Bucky has further bad news in that no one is biting on Scarlett as an opener OR pre-opener, since she's an unknown quantity. Also they've probably seen pictures of her hair. Rayna has the self-proclaimed worst idea in the world: Juliette Barnes. She thinks Scarlett would learn a lot, and it is, after all, a sold-out tour. Plus, there aren't enough acts on that tour already or anything.
We then cut to Juliette, who is trying on the most heinous dress known to man. Glen is there to tell her that they've added another night to her Houston engagement, and also that she's been delivered an invitation to the Belle Meade Invitational polo match. She's puzzled, since she's not really in with the high society crowd, but the invite was hand written and definitely meant for her. Juliette feels like perhaps she's arrived, and will accept the rubbing of old-money elbows. And the rubbing of old-money other things, too, when it comes to that.
Teddy, meanwhile, is giving a press conference about his new Music City Music Festival. Nashville has a LOT of events, you guys. He opens things up for questions, and the first is about Lamar and whether Teddy had knowledge of any of his alleged wrongdoings. Teddy has no comment other than to say that the fundraising for his campaign was by the book, that Lamar is his EX (emphasis on the ex) father-in-law, and that his first order of business as mayor was cutting ties with Lamar and Wyatt Industries. Another reporter then asks for comment on Teddy's impending nuptials with Peggy Kenter, pointing out that just a few months ago Teddy was denying any relationship with her. Teddy acknowledges that he and Peggy are indeed going to be married week, saying that they became involved well after his divorce. Um, "well after his divorce" actually hasn't happened yet. Teddy tries to bring it back around to questions about the festival, even though I'm sure someone wants to ask about Rayna's big comeback .
Then we're in Avery's apartment, where Avery and Gunnar listen to a track together, which they have apparently recorded in Juliette's studio. They talk about the hilarity of them making beautiful music together, and then Avery notes that Gunnar and Zoey seem to be "working" "well" "together" too. He's thinking of bringing her in on this song. Gunnar isn't sure if that's a good idea, for obvious reasons that he tries to disguise from Avery. Scarlett shows up and Gunnar leaves, awkwardly. Every descriptive sentence about Gunnar should follow the formula of, "Gunnar XXXs, awkwardly." Scarlett says that was weird and unexpected (apparently not knowing that they're working together), and Avery says not to worry since they only talked about her a little bit. Avery's complete transformation from douchey dick to likeable fellow has really been remarkable. In any case, Scarlett has come to talk about her rattled nerves, given the Bluebird show and potential tour. She doesn't want to blow it, and figured that Avery would be the perfect person to talk to about this, given that he HAS blown it. He should just kick her out of the house for that. Avery gets a weird look on his face, but says he's glad to be of service.
Tandy and Rayna, meanwhile, are watching news about the charges against Lamar, which is their new/only favorite activity. Lamar has pleaded not guilty, and the bail hearing hasn't been set as of yet. Rayna says she'd like to believe that he's innocent, but the charges don't surprise her. Still, she's not crazy about the idea of him being in jail. Tandy changes the subject a bit, asking if Rayna's glad that she managed not to take one dime from him (despite her attempt to take millions of dimes from him). She would be gladder, it turns out, if she hadn't prematurely told Jeff Fordham to kiss her ass. But Rayna is determined to leave Edgehill, and Tandy suggests that she has to talk to the "right" people. And where would those right people be? Why the Belle Meade polo match, of course! Tandy wasn't planning on going to the match, which is today. And Rayna wasn't planning on going to the polo match EVER. But this is business, and Tandy suggests that the people there would be good investors. Plus, she says, "You know you love big hat events." And it's not like she'll awkwardly see any of her musical peers/frenemies/past life loves there or anything!
We cut to the polo match where Rayna, in a big hat, says that she hates big hat events. But it's too late to go home, and then two ladies named Myrna and Patty co-opt Rayna for a photo and another young lad asks for an autograph. Tandy notes that Lamar's arrest hasn't affected Rayna's star appeal, and Rayna says that most people know that they've been estranged for a while. It's a good thing, since all of Lamar's friends and enemies (including horses, whose cousins have been sent to the Wyatt Industries glue factory in Chattanooga) are all there. Rayna hopes some of them are interested in investing in the music business, otherwise she put on that big hat for nothing. At least there's free champagne!
And there is also Juliette. Rayna wonders what the hell she's doing there, but some young lady named Sunny Winston is glad that Juliette made it. So is Charlie Wentworth, who approaches (in a polo uniform) much to Juliette's surprise. Sunny Winston notes that People magazine named "Charlivia" the world's most interesting couple. And they don't know the half of it! Charlie pulls Juliette aside, and she realizes that he's the one who sent the invite. She asks what the hell is wrong with him, and then Olivia bumbles up and gives Juliette a big hug. Juliette notes that she didn't expect to see either one of them there, and Olivia says she's the supportive wife there to cheer her husband on. Furthermore, she doesn't know anyone there, so is excited to have Juliette to hang out with. As Olivia pulls her away, Juliette gives a death glare over her shoulder (and under her feathered hat) to a smug Charlie. He DOES look fine in that polo gear, though.
As the polo players warm up, who should arrive at the match but Deacon, in a quasi-suit and everything. Hot lady lawyer sees him and gets a big smile, and they're all canoodly. She notes that he'll have to go to dinner with the firm's partners afterwards, and Deacon agrees as long as there are no snails or sushi. Oy, that guy. Deacon then spots Rayna, and hot lady lawyer spots Deacon spotting Rayna. He says that he's just surprised to see her, since she usually hates this kind of thing. Hot lady lawyer goes, "Did I say anything?" No, but you kind of gave a look. Nevertheless, Deacon is impressed with her faux nonchalance. And whatever, she's FINE, but she still hasn't really done anything to distinguish herself as something other than "Not Rayna."
Rayna, meanwhile, is talking up Highway 65 to a big-hatted lady who could not be less interested. And then Luke Wheeler approaches Rayna, saying that he's been trying to catch her eye for some time. And doesn't it blow your mind that this guy also was Debra Messing marriage wrecker Michael Swift on Smash? Or maybe it's just my feeble mind that was blown? The hat is a really effective disguise. Anyway! Rayna is surprised to see Luke there, like all of our characters are surprised to see all of our characters there. Luke apparently has a few horses who are playing today, though he admits he's new at the sport. He says it must be old hat for Rayna, which, pun alert! He knows that she's fourth generation Belle Meade, which is a fact found from his viewing of a CMA special on Rayna, and also the fact that maybe he's a creepy stalker. She says that this is where she's from, but it's not exactly her world. Then she spies Deacon with hot lady lawyer, and she and Luke are both faux-cool about it.
Then we're back with Avery and Scarlett, where he's about to regale her with tales of what happened with Dominic. She already knows that he burned his masters, as does everybody else in town. Avery acknowledges that it was a rookie move, and that he blew a lot of good things last year (cue pregnant gaze full of meaning). Scarlett says maybe those things weren't meant to be, and Avery counters that he might not have been mature enough to handle what he had. If he did get another chance, he says, he'd do it differently. There's a weird pause, and Scarlett asks why Avery is slinging beer at the Bluebird when Juliette's going back out on tour. He says that he and Juliette are still…friends…but he'd rather be a barback and make his own music (using her state of the art studio) than wear golden handcuffs. Meanwhile, how can Avery look at Scarlett with her bangs in their current state and still have any interest in getting back together with her? How can she still have a record deal with those bangs?
At the polo match, Charlie is talking with Teddy about how lovely Nashville is. He's never been here before, even though he owns several local radio stations. Teddy wonders if he can pique Charlie's interest in the new Music City Music Festival. Charlie's interest is definitely piqued by the prospect of Juliette -- who really just wants a glass of champagne -- being the face of the festival. Teddy likes the idea, and Juliette tells him to contact Glen to set up a meeting. He leaves, and Juliette and Charlie go back and forth about a) how sarcastically great it is for her to spend the day with Olivia, b) how much Charlie wanted to see Juliette, c) this is not the place to talk about all this. She then shouts, "Yes! I would love to see your horse!" by which she means "horse." It takes him a minute to catch on, but then he leads her away under strict orders not to touch her.
Then we're at Gunnar's place. Zoey is there, telling him that they can never do this again. Apparently she's been cancelling her shifts and not returning his calls to avoid him. He knows it's awkward, because he has some sort of Midas touch of awkwardness, but says that he didn't plan on sleeping with his ex's best friend. But, now that he has, he likes her. Zoey says the whole thing is too weird, PLUS she broke the stupid girl code in which it's a very bad idea to date or sleep with your friend's ex. She broke the code and now feels like a super slutty bad friend. That's because she IS a super slutty bad friend! Let Scarlett's sweat dry off of the engagement ring before going there, at least. Gunnar I guess is totally over Scarlett now, and/or is getting some sort of perverse satisfaction out of boning her friend, and would very much like to reengage with the swirl. But Zoey emphatically denies him, saying on her way out that Scarlett can never find out.
Back at the polo match, an older gentleman says he's been watching Rayna sing since she was a little girl and asks if she's going to miss it. Did he not see her big on-stage comeback? Rayna says that she'll always be performing, but is really excited about starting the new label. She starts talking up Scarlett, which makes him look uncomfortable, and then Tandy comes over and joins the conversation. This makes the guy, whose name is Bill, look even MORE uncomfortable. He's surprised to see Tandy there, given that Lamar's arrest has certain implications for some of the people in Nashville, including him I'm guessing. It's one thing for Rayna to show up, but as Lamar's CFO Tandy is another matter. She says that she left the company, and he notes it was interesting timing. If anyone knows Lamar's dirty little secrets it's Tandy, and Bill gives Rayna a glare as he says that they shouldn't count on any checkbooks opening today. As a crowd looks on, Tandy asks Bill to pardon them for not giving a damn about him or his checkbook, but looks awfully stressed when he walks away. Maybe that's because she's realizing that she gave Rayna terrible business advice?
Meanwhile, Juliette is reading Charlie the riot act by the stables. He's not one to take no for an answer, and sent the tickets anonymously because he wanted to see her. She offers to send him an autographed picture, noting that their lives couldn't be more different. After all, he's got the inherited wealth and the beautiful, wonderful wife, and she's got a dead MethMom and a sex tape in the garbage disposal. She wants Charlie to go have a servant feed him some grapes and leave her alone. But he doesn't like grapes. What he does seem to like is that Juliette sent the car back, which is a rarity in a world full of people who want something from him. Juliette suspects that he likes her most because she's not his wife, and that's true. But, he says, things aren't quite as they seem in regard to his marriage. She stomps off as a horn blows, saying, "According to Wikipedia, that means the game's about to start." Her scrappiness really is unparalleled.
As the match begins, Luke "No Hands on the" Wheeler approaches "Freakin'" Deacon Claybourne from behind and gives him a big ole bear hug. They're very friendly with each other, and also maybe twins. They're both wondering what the other is doing there in a monkey suit. Luke says that this is apparently what rich people do, and Deacon says he ought to know. This gives Luke the opportunity to remind us that Deacon could have been a contender since he was the one with all the talent. Deacon says, "That's true," then asks how Luke's kids are. They're with his ex, which means that Luke is divorced, which means that he's free to pursue certain other redheaded country icons. Luke is glad that Deacon is still alive, and asks about his hand, which Deacon brushes off. And then Luke starts to say, "So…you and Rayna," but apparently his burgeoning question is answered when hot lady lawyer comes up and intimately interrupts everything. Luke takes a look back at Rayna, walking around looking fine in her big hat.
Rayna and Tandy, meanwhile, lament that they're at the lame stuffy polo match where everyone -- even Teddy, Rayna's ex-husband who is about to marry the woman he had an affair with and knocked up -- seems to be avoiding them. With all that's going on, Rayna is grateful for Tandy. And, she says, there's obviously no truth to Bill's implications, RIGHT? Tandy gets a smidge defensive about this, then goes on to say that she's really changed her life to be there for Rayna and the girls. Um, what life? Rayna wants Tandy to know how appreciative she is for that, and also REALLY wants to get the hell out of there.
Juliette watches quizzically as people stomp divots, wondering if they know how absurd they look. Charlie says that absurdity has never gotten in the way of tradition, which is why Luke "Spinning" Wheeler wears that stupid cowboy hat all the time. Juliette doesn't fit in, and is ready to go. But Charlie grabs her, saying that he did inherit his money but there's not been a day of his life when he hasn't worked. He and Olivia dated in college, and kept dating, and got married because it seemed like the right step. And he just happens to like horses. He says that these people aren't his any more than they're hers, and she sarcastically says that underneath his suit made of million dollar bills he's just plain, simple folk. He unironically says that he is, and intends to prove it to her. He leaves, and she stomps a divot like a champ.
Back at the tree trunk, Avery and Scarlett are playing video games. He used to beat her all the time in college, but she played with Zoey every Sunday after church and so has gotten quite a bit better. Another glimpse into Scarlett's scintillating life! Scarlett is still nervous about the Bluebird show, and Avery tells her she'll be great. THEN she says she shouldn't go on about career stuff like that, even though the precise reason she came over was to talk about career stuff. That time would have been better spent going to the salon, I say. Meanwhile, she has some little green bow holding two scraggly braids in place in the back of her head. I can't even. Anyway, Avery is fine hearing about Scarlett's successes now, and she says she's really proud of him. And he's proud of her, saying that she's come into her own and it's incredibly sexy. Yes, sexy. And then they look at each other for a while, and then she kisses him, and all the woodland creatures in the forest twitter with applause and joy.
And then Deacon is charming hot lady lawyer's colleagues with tales of drunken revelry on tour. It would be hilarious were he not right now supposed to be at an AA meeting. He conveniently leaves out the time he smashed all of his record albums, which would leave everyone much less than amused. Deacon excuses himself to get something to drink. And who should happen to be at the bar but Rayna, ordering champagne and a bourbon. Both for her, I'm assuming, given how well this day is going. Deacon approaches, ordering a sweet tea and club soda. The two exchange an only slightly awkward "Hey," and Rayna says that of all the surprising people at this event, he takes the cake. He says, "Right back atcha." And then just as Deacon starts to talk about how Rayna sang onstage, who should walk up to interrupt but nonchalant lady lawyer. NOT THAT SHE CARES THAT THEY'RE TALKING OR ANYTHING. They are formally introduced (it basically goes, "Rayna, meet Not Rayna") and hot lady lawyer says she was glad to hear that Maddie was okay. Then everyone looks awkwardly around for a while until Deacon and lady lawyer leave. SIGH. Meanwhile, when are Deacon and Rayna going to talk about the fact that they have a daughter?
So, apparently the match is over and it's time to deliver the champion's cup to the winning team, captained by Charles Wentworth. Charles Wentworth, however, is not on hand to pick up his trophy, and a disturbed Olivia looks around with an angry glint in her eye. Charlie, of course, is at the stable with Juliette and his horse-caretaker-guy, Santiago. They obviously have quite a casual relationship, and Santiago acknowledges that Charlie really likes to do all the horse caretaking himself. Charlie pulls out a guitar and gives it to Santiago, and he starts playing Juliette's song "Hypnotizing." And then it turns out that there's a whole stable jug band of some sort, and somebody else joins in on a harmonica and I'm certain that soon there will be a washtub involved. Juliette is obviously having fun, and must be warming to Charlie's "of the people" case now that she's seen him have a beer with his Hispanic employees.
And then we're with post-coital Avery and Scarlett. They're both glad the other is there, and Avery sweetly asks if Scarlett changed her perfume. Turns out it was her shampoo, but of course the point is that he really knows her. And, I guess, that Scarlett actually washes her hair. No mention of brushing it, though. Avery wants Scarlett to stay if she wants to, but of course she has to get ready for the Bluebird performance tonight. She says that she'll see him there.
Juliette and Charlie come walking back to the polo fray, and Rayna sees them being quite friendly with one another after a conspicuously long absence. Rayna approaches Juliette and goes, "…Charlie Wentworth?" Juliette says they're good friends, and Rayna says that's cool and walks away. But Juliette turns and stops her, asking what she's implying. I think she's implying exactly what's happening. Rayna tells Juliette that Charlie Wentworth is a powerful, prominent married man, and their industry is primarily driven by female fans. And a lot of times, "They don't take to that kind of thing too well." And I see how you could interpret this as either a bitch move or some actually sensible advice. I'm of the latter opinion, since I don't detect judgment for anything other than the fact that Juliette is being kind of obvious and an idiot. I mean, it IS Charlivia after all. In any case, Juliette does not take kindly to any of this and tells Rayna "hell no" to the prospect of Scarlett coming on tour with her.
Scarlett shows up at the Bluebird four hours before her performance, primarily so that she can tell Zoey that she slept with Avery and feels kind of stupid about it. Of course Zoey has no judgment since "the heart wants what the heart wants." However, Scarlett isn't entirely sure that her heart wants Avery, though it did feel like home. Zoey asks if it happened because Scarlett was overwhelmed, and she says maybe so, but maybe not. All of Zoey's questions are clearly designed to determine whether or not the statute of limitations on the girlfriend code has expired.
Then we're back at the polo match, where Olivia is giving Charlie hell for dragging her to Tennessee and then disappearing. I mean, given that he was off seducing his latest conquest by proving that he can hang with the common man, she has a point. She doesn't know why they even came to this stupid event, and he tells her that she needs to step out of her snotty worldview. She then slaps him! Charlivia on the skids! Olivia says she doesn't care about "these people," and furthermore she's taking the jet home so he'll have to find his own way back. Juliette of course watches this all unfold, and basically has all the permission she needs to keep banging this dude.
And then Avery is at the Bluebird, talking to Zoey about his rendezvous with Scarlett. He goes on about how if the two of them got back together it would be different, and he would be different. Zoey asks if this means he wants to give it another shot with Scarlett. I mean duh, the answer is obviously yes. He can't resist how her weave falls when it scraggles in the morning light.
Deacon and hot lady lawyer arrive back at his place. She thanks him for coming, he makes some amusingly disparaging remarks about polo. And then she says, "At least you got to see your old pal Luke Wheeler. And Rayna." Way to be casual about it! Hot lady lawyer notes that Deacon pulled her away from Rayna, like he was a little uncomfortable. Um, yes, EVERYBODY was uncomfortable. That's what you do as a human who can read social cues -- you leave. Hot lady lawyer says it's all okay, since she's not threatened by Rayna. Well, that's debatable, and also if she's not, she should be. Deacon confirms that it really doesn't bother her, and that makes him want to bone her. I mean, fine, maybe they're kind of cute.
Then we're back at the Bluebird, where Scarlett is getting set up. Gunnar approaches her, saying it feels like a long time ago when the two of them first sang there. Zoey watches on, and Gunnar quickly excuses himself, only semi-awkwardly this time. Rayna then enters and greets Scarlett, giving her some cheerful words of encouragement and introducing her to reporters from USA Today and Country Weekly. Scarlett is her sweet self to them, and then Rayna spies Luke "Like a Circle in a Spiral, Like a Wheel Within a" Wheeler coming through the door. She gives him a warm hug and says that these are her people -- not the stuffy polo types. He makes eyes at her, and she says she can't wait for him to hear Scarlett sing. And then Zoey goes up to Gunnar, urgently needing to talk to him. He's working and stuff, just like she should be, but agrees to give her five minutes later on.
Juliette then joins Charlie Wentworth in a hotel lobby. He offers to buy her a drink, but she can buy her own drinks, thank you very much. He wonders why she's there, and Juliette says that she had fun with him and the grooms and the stableboys. Well, then, go and fuck Santiago. Oh but wait. She also saw Charlie and Olivia, which leads him to say that she's now got an understanding of what his life has been like for the past five years. Is divorce illegal in Maryland all of a sudden? Juliette is not all that impressed by his "poor little rich boy in a loveless marriage" tale, saying that she has a bucket of sad stories that can top that. But she's done sharing them. She's been thinking about the Music City Music Festival, and suggests that the two of them "work" "on" "it" together for the six weeks. And then they're done. He suggests that they start their first planning meeting right now in his penthouse suite, and leaves a key card on the table for her. She has a look on her face for about four seconds that shows she knows this is a bad idea. But she still takes the card.
At the Bluebird, Scarlett is singing a truly lovely song called "Every Time I Fall in Love," to a spellbound audience. And then it's time for the patented Nashville final five minutes montage! First we have Deacon and hot lady lawyer, boning on his couch. You guys, I think he's kind of into her. And then there's Juliette and Charlie Wentworth, boning in his "of the people" hotel penthouse. You guys, I think she's kind of into him. And then there's Zoey and Gunnar. She's changed her mind, and tells him everything that she said earlier (about how they shouldn't be boning) was wrong and she takes it all back. And then she tells him to kiss her and he does. All while Scarlett is singing! Avery of course is gazing at Scarlett as she sings, and when she finishes up there's lots of applause and Rayna looks totally happy. She hugs Scarlett and tells her she did an amazing job, then introduces her to Luke "Rock Me Mama Like a Wagon" Wheeler. He was impressed, as were the critics. Scarlett excuses herself for a moment to hug Avery. She tells him she's not sure exactly what happened between them. Hint: it was boning. But, she says, it's not like they have to figure it out just now. They've got some time. He watches her with a little smile as she goes back to talk to adoring fans.
And then Rayna heads out to the parking lot with Luke Wheeler "Of Fortune," who tells her how special Scarlett is. Rayna leans against her car and gets that southern belle flirty tone as she says she was kind of thinking…that she might ask him about…the possibility of…of…of…Scarlett being one of the opening acts on his tour. Wah wahhhhhh. Luke "Jesus Take the" Wheeler removes his cowboy hat, then moves in on Rayna, giving her a kiss. She underscores the surprised look on her face by saying, "I was not expecting that." Luke was, however. He says that he'll take Scarlett on tour with him, because she's crazy talented. If she wasn't up to snuff, he wouldn't do it. But he'd be lying if he didn't say he was looking forward to seeing Rayna out on the road. All this DESPITE the fact that she looks like she couldn't be less interested in kissing him. Rayna just sort of nods and says, "Okay, then," and we are left to debate whether Luke "Asleep at the" Wheeler is creepy, clueless, both or neither. And did Rayna just quasi-prostitute herself to get him to take Scarlett on tour?
Hoo boy and THEN we see a key card slide into the door of a penthouse suite. Yes, it's Mrs. Olivia Wentworth, who walks into the room and sees Juliette boning her husband. Neither Juliette nor Charlie sees her, though, and Olivia walks out of the room without a sound. But trust me when I say that she looks PISSED. And with that, we're out!
In two weeks: Sex sexity sex sex sex. Also guns! Also a creepy dude. Also scorned wives!
Potes just released her own country-ish album, with her stableboy band. You can listen/download/buy at traciepotochnik.bandcamp.com.