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In exciting news, I am writing this recaplet from the actual city of Nashville, in the glorious Hutton Hotel which was, in fact, used in last week's episode. So I took the elevator right where Will freaked out on Brent for the millionth time in a fit of internalized homophobia! [Faints.]
Anyway, things aren't going so well for Juliette. Still. Always. The protesters have grown even more vehement, and venues are starting to cancel her shows because not only is she a homewrecker, she's also a blasphemous homewrecker. The south, y'all. Juliette heads home, because there's really nothing else for her to do, and receives a visit from Jeff in which he lambastes her for all the damage she's done to Edgehill and calls her trailer trash AND an uneducated, mildly talented lie. He's uber-grody about it, in case you didn't get that from the context clues. Avery goes to see her and finds her passed out on her bed with an empty bottle of something, but she's not dead -- just pukey. He makes her toast and tells her that he broke up with Scarlett, and also that she's actually awesome and talented. She doesn't believe it, so he puts a wig on her and takes her to participate in some good old-fashioned street corner busking. She has fun, but doesn't succumb to all of his obvious desires to make out with her (that is apparently a theme of this episode). Instead she goes home to pray and think, then shows up to his place not to make out with him, but to ask him to write a song with her. So God, in defiance of all the protesters, has apparently helped her to cook up a plan.
Scarlett is also having a bad time. Well, first she's having a great time singing with the Zac Brown Band in some honest to goodness big festival concert footage. But then she's exhausted by her crazy schedule of appearances, and Bucky's 1) befuddlement over the Kelly Clarkson situation; 2) expectation that she'll go to Rayna and Luke's number one party. She eventually tries to tell him about the Gunnar situation and he literally is like, "Don't you have a friend you can call? And also you're going to the party."
Gunnar is having a better time of it, as the party is in his honor and he also gets a request to write with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. He blows off Zoey to do it, and though she understands she's also hurt and they have some Venus/Mars moments about it all in which he compares her unfavorably to Scarlett. As you may imagine, that doesn't go over so well. Eventually they make up (thanks to some sage advice from Jay DeMarcus himself) and it turns out that Gunnar might actually like Zoey BETTER than Scarlett, if such a thing can be believed.
Oh, and THEN. You guys. Sigh. Okay. So, Deacon is offered a solo contract with Belcourt Records, which is not particularly lucrative. He wants some time to see if he can get a better offer. To do so he needs to bring some heat to the table, and an invitation to co-write with Rayna may be helpful in this department. Rayna, of course, wants a hit single for her new album and also clearly to make out with Deacon (and vice-versa, although nobody is admitting it). The two of them write on Deacon's floor, which is where they wrote hits when they weren't writing hits in the bedroom between rounds of mind-blowing sexytimes. (At least, I think this is what they're implying.) Their new song is awesome, and they're so cute working together on the song, and Connie Britton's voice coach deserves yet another five Emmys and Deacon's hand appears to be less busted. And also: mad eye sex, though that goes without saying. They both acknowledge that it feels like old times and then Megan comes home and ruins everything. Rayna leaves and no one even made out a little! Horrors.
Deacon and Rayna also see each other at the number one party, where they giggle about their song in front of Scarlett and she is not pleased. She is also not pleased to see Gunnar, who wonders if they can get past the weirdness and be friends again. She says that they can't, and brings up the FEELING that happened between them when they performed for Kelly Clarkson. Gunnar is like, "…I was just singing the song," and then Scarlett gets really mad because that is a quality burn. And then because Scarlett is the worst, always, forever, she freaks out in the bathroom and when Rayna tries to be nice to her, she says that Rayna might have weird co-dependent relationships with her exes, but she doesn't. She extrapolates that when Rayna asks Deacon to jump he asks how high, which is exactly the type of cliché that makes for a terrible song. Rayna seems to take it to heart, though, and she and Deacon agree that while it was nice to write together, they probably shouldn't do it again anytime soon, because of the danger of falling into old patterns. But we like old patterns! Old patterns are the best! (Except when they involve Drunk Deacon, which is decidedly the worst) Gah. Horrors. So Deacon decides to sign the record contract and make out with Megan some more, while Rayna thinks it might be time to make things public with Luke Wheeler, who apparently IS still into her something fierce despite appearances at the Music City Music Festival. They can't decide if "Layna" or "Ruke" makes a better celebrity couple name. The answer is that they are both terrible, which is grounds for an instant parting of ways. Sigh.
And then there's Teddy. It turns out that Megan has been hired by the family of Peggy's shooter to investigate his suspicious so-called "suicide." She mentions to Teddy that the shooter worked for Hollander enterprises, which of course is affiliated with Lamar, which of course means that Lamar was trying to kill Teddy, which we knew all along. Teddy meets up with Smithers, who basically tells him that he has PTSD-inflicted paranoia. And if I were a jury member, I would totally consider voting to acquit Lamar if his inevitable murder of Megan clears the path for a Deacon-Rayna reunion.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Previously on Nashville: Peggy was D-E-A-D dead. Rayna needed a single for her new album, and was reminded of the songwriting magic she and Deacon shared. Kelly Clarkson wanted a piece of Gunnar and Scarlett's songwriting magic, but then Scarlett freaked out and ruined the whole thing. She also broke up with Avery, which is just as well given his obvious feelings for Juliette. Speaking of Juliette, she told a "No Respect 4 Juliette" protestor that, "There is no God… that would listen to a crackpot like you." The post-ellipses part of that statement was deleted by the time it got to the press, and now people are burning her CDs and shizz. All of this, of course, means that MethMom died in vain.
We begin with Juliette in her plane, anxious to get out of Pittsburgh (Woo! Uh, I mean… sorry) and asking Glen if he can ensure that protesters can't get within 500 feet of the venue at her show. Emily reports that she's shut down Juliette's Twitter account, which had over a quarter of a million unique tweets in the last 24 hours, with hashtags including #godlessbitch and #juliettesucks. She's also working on switching Juliette's email and phone number, while Glen arranges for extra security. Juliette resents the fact that she has to turn her life upside down because some kook has manufactured a controversy. The one upside to the situation is that some members of the bloodthirsty horde may have had to buy her album just to burn it. Anything for sales!
Meanwhile, Deacon is having dinner with his A&R friend, who welcomes him to Belcourt Records and hands over a standard contract. Deacon takes a quick look, says it's been a long time since he's been a solo artist, and notes that there are a lot fewer zeroes on the contract than there used to be. Belcourt Buddy (seriously, I don't know what his name is) says that's true for everyone, and the only money to be made is in T-shirt sales and tour dates since the record company won't get a cut of that. And I would totally spend $25 on a "Freakin' Deacon" girlie tee. Deacon wonders why, if there's no money to be made, they want to sign him at all. Belcourt Buddy says that it's because he wants to make albums and they still put them out. I guess that's as compelling a reason as any? Deacon wants some time to think about it and see if he can get a better offer. FROM RAYNA PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
Speaking of record deals falling into your lap Scarlett joins the Zac Brown Band on stage at some big, actually real music festival. She gives an enthusiastic, cross-eyed greeting to the crowd, and gets to solo on the second verse. Bucky is in the audience and holds his phone up so Rayna can hear. They agree that Zac is good people, and Rayna adds that he's doing her a solid. This moment, while Bucky is in the midst of a huge crowd, also appears to be the perfect time to ask Rayna if she's listened to any of the demos he's sent over, presumably for the single. She did, but feels that the song has to come from her. In fact, she's just about to meet up with somebody for a possible co-write. At this very moment, Deacon pulls up with a big shit-eating grin on his face. Sigh. SO MANY SIGHS in this episode.
Back at the festival, Bucky congratulates Scarlett on her performance. She excitedly says that the Zac Brown Band is amazing, and then MORE excitedly yells that she gets to sleep in her own bed tonight. This should give a sense of what her priorities and passions actually are. Bucky is all, "HOLD ON, SISTER." Luke's tour may be on break, but Scarlett has a performance in Knoxville, six press engagements, two radio shows and as many meet-and-greets as possible. She wonders if she'll at least get a couple of days off, which seems the perfect segue for Bucky to note that Kelly Clarkson's people were disappointed that Scarlett and Gunnar won't be writing any new material for her. Scarlett says it won't work out, given her crazy hectic schedule, then rushes on the bus. Bucky in turn wonders if Rayna shouldn't be thanking HIM for doing her a solid.
Meanwhile, at the Bluebird, Avery tries to leave Juliette another message but finds that her phone is full. Zoey thinks he's calling Scarlett, and so Avery is forced to tell her that they broke up. Zoey then wonders if Scarlett is OK, which probably REALLY means she's wondering if Scarlett is coming for Gunnar. Avery changes the subject by noting that Zoey has been in a good mood lately. That's what Avery has to look forward to now that Scarlett is out of his life for good!
And THEN we are with Rayna and Deacon, at Deacon's place. She gives him a copy of the album she made with Liam, saying she's very proud of it, but it needs a single. She wants one that's worthy of the rest of the album and says that for better or for worse the two of them have written a lot of hits together. How is there a "for worse" in writing hit songs with your one true love? Deacon asks what Rayna is asking, because maybe the accident caused some comprehension problems. Or maybe he just wants to hear her say, "I'm asking if you might consider writing a song with me." Deacon looks at her like he is SO IN LOVE and exhales with a little smile.
Gunnar is then at Edgehill, finalizing details for "his" number one party happening that night. He happens to run into Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, who is also going to Gunnar's party and is a big fan of "Ball and Chain." He's interested in writing with Gunnar, and suggests that very afternoon at 2 p.m. Country music stars have the emptiest schedules! Except for Scarlett, I guess.
Juliette, Glen and Emily then arrive at the site of her concert. There are no protesters outside, but something else looks off. For one thing, roadies are loading her stuff onto trucks and not off of them. A dude comes out to apologize for not getting in touch with them sooner and say that the show has been cancelled. Apparently the venue received a threat. Though the place was searched thoroughly and nothing turned up, the owner doesn't want to take any chances. Glen starts talking about rescheduling, but the owner would rather not, on account of Juliette being a godless heathen whore. Glen brings up their contract, but the guy says that it allows for cancellation due to public safety issues. The blasphemy-eschewing owner probably called in the bomb threat himself! Juliette tells him that he's going to have a lot of pissed off ticket holders on his hands, but the guy says that even before they show was called off they received over 6,000 refund requests. And what kind of idiot blasphemy-protesting fans does Juliette have that think you can get a refund for a concert ticket before the show is even cancelled? In any case, Juliette is chagrined.
Meanwhile, Rayna listens to some mysteriously unexplained song and fields a call from Luke. And I, for one, totally thought that he blew her off, so this whole turn of events was a shocker for me and not necessarily in a pleasant way. If he's up to some sort of Jeff Fordham-instigated trickery, I will not be able to deal. Rayna seems happy enough to hear from him, and says she's looking forward to seeing him when he's back in town that night. Luke mentions that they haven't seen each other since the Music City Music Festival, and he had to do press without her for "Ball and Chain." She IS, however, going to go to the "Ball and Chain" number one party, and Luke wonders if she'd like to go together. Like a DATE. Gross. Rayna says that she's excited to see Luke, but doesn't know if she's ready to be seen by all the press people and whatnot. Luke is okay with that, and then they both say that they've missed each other. And I just do not understand why, if Rayna has to be with someone other than Deacon, it can't be Liam. Perhaps it's all in the name of character development around Rayna's bad judgment?
Speaking of horrors, Megan comes out of Deacon's bedroom, eager for coffee and having to be at the office in 20 minutes even though she only got home at 3 a.m. She's working on a big BIG case, the nature of which she can't reveal due to client confidentiality and some other awkward reasons that will be revealed in due time. She is, however, excited about Deacon's impending contract with Belcourt. He tells her not to be too excited since it's a crap contract, which is apparently standard now. To get a good deal, says Deacon, you have to be a big deal OR bring some kind of heat to the table. Megan thinks it's enough that Deacon brings heat IN THE SACK. And speaking of heat in the sack, Deacon mentions that Rayna asked if he'd write with her. Megan just says, "Okay…" with her mouth agape, and asks how this helps with his solo career. Not that she's threatened or anything! Deacon points out that Rayna has a current number one single and a new album coming out. If their co-written hit is on it, that's a big deal. Plus, isn't it a big deal just because they're Rayna and Deacon reuniting to write a song period, much less after they both almost died together in a car and stuff? And also isn't that self-evident? Megan is chipper as she notes that it sounds like SOMEBODY has already made up his mind! Not that she's threatened or anything! Or is going to interrupt magic moments later on!
And then we're back with Juliette, who receives more bad news. Venues in West Virginia, Raleigh and Charleston are cancelling her shows, too. Juliette, who is lying on the couch in her plane with sunglasses on, points out that the venues have contracts with her. Glen says that they'd rather take the financial hit than associate with her, which, ouch. Juliette wants to hear that there's something they can do. Glen has lawyers looking into insurance claims and legal action, while Edgehill is sending Will and Layla out to do some promo stuff and "staunch the bleeding." All that Juliette can do at the moment, however, is go home. She is NOT pleased.
Bucky, meanwhile, is with Scarlett at a radio appearance, after which they'll have a meet and greet, after which they get to go back to Nashville… for the "Ball and Chain" party. Scarlett says she feels so tired and sick that she can't go to any party, much less THAT party. Bucky points out that Scarlett is on Rayna's label, and on Luke's tour, and since this is a party for both of them she has to go. And then Scarlett can't remember if she's in Knoxville or Chattanooga, and gives the radio DJ (and his listeners) the excuse that she hasn't slept in about six days. It's charming, but not as honest as if she'd just said, "I'm basically an idiot."
While Scarlett is en route to her mental breakdown, Gunnar is writing with Jay DeMarcus. He gets a reminder on his phone that he's supposed to meet with Zoey in an hour, but tells Jay that he can get out of it. Jay tells Gunnar that they can pick this up again later, but Gunnar says that Zoey will be fine and knows that music is a priority. He then calls her to ask to reschedule meeting her friends, since he and Jay are caught up in writing. Zoey says that it's fine and they'll just reschedule. He asks if she's all right. She says she's fine, but rolls her eyes as they hang up and then complains to Avery that this is the third time that Gunnar's cancelled on her. Avery confirms that this is Zoey's thing with her church friends, and also that Zoey is annoyed even though she just said that she was fine. Zoey says that Gunnar SHOULD know that she is in fact not fine, and Avery notes that ladies are confusing, given how they always say one thing and mean another. Were this eight years earlier, I'm sure someone would make a Mars/Venus reference here. In 2014, it's just implied. If Zoey wants Gunnar not to blow her off, Avery says, she should just say so. Zoey notes that she doesn't want to appear unsupportive of Gunnar's career or to be THAT girlfriend who is needy and all up in his business. Avery reiterates that she should just tell Gunnar what she's thinking. And really, if music doesn't work out for him I think that Avery would make an excellent therapist! Isn't it also amazing how he's gone from the worst character to the best?
Juliette, meanwhile, watches Extra. This is not just mindless viewing to take her mind off of her troubles, though -- rather, she's watching a story about how half a dozen venues in two states have canceled her show, all in some way resulting from her comments about God or lack thereof. Yes, Mario Lopez is a harbinger of doom. Emily turns off the TV while Juliette asks if there's any news on the east coast dates. At that moment, Jeff Fordham walks in. (Can't he knock? And the security guy is standing right there!) He wants to speak with Juliette alone. He tells her that she's done more damage to Edgehill Records than if she'd burned down the building with everyone in it. Now THAT'S a little dramatic. Juliette says that she was taken out of context. Jeff, meanwhile, has been taken to task by a CFO since Edgehill's stocks have taken a huge hit. Worse than that, says Jeff, ten influential radio programmers have called him to say that they won't play Juliette's music anymore.
Juliette thinks that it will blow over. She tells Jeff to get out of her house, and then he really gets in her face. He asks if she thinks that she's talented, or that she deserves the house that she's in. Because he thinks she's just visiting -- that she's trailer trash hiding under a pile of sequins. Now wait a minute. There's no need to bring sequins into this. Jeff says that Juliette should be thanking God for her good fortune, not denying that He exists. (You can just feel the capital "H" on "He" when it comes out of Jeff's mouth.) He continues that Juliette is going to beg the country and capital-H-Him for forgiveness. And is that REALLY the best way to go about this? Layla already had the press conference in which she confirmed what Juliette said, after all. Juliette, who may be trailer trash but who is WAY smarter than Jeff, says she isn't going to lie. In turn, Jeff says that she IS a lie -- an uneducated, mildly talented lie -- and she knows it. And she will own this sin, he says, whether it's true or not. And then he asks, "Am I making myself clear?" in a really scary way that likely results in his spittle getting all over Juliette's poor face. That guy is the WORST. He made Juliette shed one sad tear! How many episodes until she's signed to Highway 65, do you think? Will we get a shot of lonely Jeff gnashing his teeth?
In much happier news, Deacon and Rayna are sitting on the floor in front of his couch and eating pizza. There are notebooks (including, I believe, the one that Megan gave him) scattered around, and Rayna is wearing striped socks. Rayna laughs as she wonders how Deacon is going to play guitar with greasy pizza fingers. I wonder how he can play guitar at all with his busted hand. I guess it's getting better? Deacon notes that if he can play a guitar solo while eating a triple-decker cheeseburger, pizza is nothing. Rayna laughs at the infamous triple-decker cheeseburger, which inspired "Here I Go Again," which they wrote on this very floor, like so many other hits. Deacon starts listing their floor-generated co-writes, including, "I Shouldn't Love You." Rayna says that they did not in fact write, "I Shouldn't Love You" on this floor, and Deacon in turn asks where they wrote it and she gives him a look that I guess means they wrote it while they were boning? How is that logistically possible? She throws a pen at him and then they get back to talking about riffs and lyrics SIGH. When he isn't drunk and scary and they're not collectively tortured, they really are so easy and sweet and perfect with each other.
Meanwhile, an aide of Teddy's delivers the news that the family of the guy who shot Peggy (whose name is Stoffel) is claiming that he's innocent. They're clearly in denial, says the aide, but have hired a lawyer to pressure the police into investigating his death. The family also doesn't believe that Stoffel committed suicide. An unhappy Teddy wonders who the heck they hired. Whoever it is, I bet it's an unbelievable coincidence!
Avery then shows up at Juliette's place, noting the unusual amount of security outside. He says that Juliette wasn't expecting him, and the bodyguard goes to find Juliette. He knocks on the bedroom door and we flash to a scene of Juliette in her underwear, passed out on her be with an empty bottle of vodka beside her. Dramatic music plays as the bodyguard and Avery break down the door and shake her aggressively. She moans, then when she sees Avery, asks what he's doing there. She says, "Don't you have a GIRLFRIEND?" and he says that he doesn't anymore before asking if she's okay. And she's okay as in not dead, but not okay as in she's about to barf all over her beautiful home. She seems to do a half-Stevie Nicks twirl as she begins to hurl, which is an interesting choice. Avery looks… concerned. Or relieved? Maybe both, which is a complicated facial expression.
Scarlett then goes over some talking points before another radio station visit. She says that her brain's full, and when Bucky asks if she's okay, she explains that she just broke up with her ex-ex-boyfriend because of weirdness with her ex-boyfriend, who's now dating her ex-best friend. This is why she couldn't write songs for Kelly Clarkson, and also why she doesn't want to go to the stupid number one party. Bucky literally asks her if she has a friend she can call and talk to. And then Scarlett literally answers, "Not really, no." Bucky stops just short of yelling out, "Bitch, pull it together!" but does say that he'll tell the station that she's running a few minutes late. In other words… bitch, pull it together! Also, he still expects her to go to the party. She gives him a, "Yessir," and puts her head down on the table.
Then we're back at Juliette's, where she's, like, fine. She tells Avery he can leave, but he's not going anywhere. Then she confirms that he and Scarlett broke up, and he says it was really over a long time ago. He's more worried about her, and she says that she may have drowned her sorrows, but at least this time she didn't try to kiss him. Good thing, given the puke breath and all. Juliette asks if Avery thinks that people get what they deserve. He says that sometimes they do, elaborating that Juliette's deserved all of her success but not the Jesus-freak hater nonsense. He says, "I know you believe," which I guess means that he's sure she's not a blaspheming heathen. Juliette says it doesn't matter, since it's all going to go away. She's talking about her house and fortune and fame, and not the scandal itself. "So what if it does?" ask Avery. She says she's a whole lot of nothing, and Avery says he disagrees -- she's a beautiful person with a great voice. Juliette says that that plus a few bucks will get you a cup of coffee, but Avery thinks it will get her more than that. Like a deal with Highway 65?
Speaking of, Rayna and Deacon sing their new song together. In case you were wondering, it's totally perfect and includes the words "somebody" a bunch of time and a chorus involving the words "sweet side" and "slow ride" and "butterflies" and "come here look in your eyes" which they both have right now. And Connie Britton sounds great, hooray and huzzah. I almost didn't notice because I was so focused on the Rayna/Deacon eye sex. They both smile, then agree that this all felt like yesterday, then look like they are about to confess their love and/or bone one another on the spot on the floor where they've written so many hits. And THEN freaking Megan starts jangling her keys in the lock and ruining EVERYTHING. When she walks in Deacon stands up and Rayna sits up straight and both act happy to see her, which is lies and also a cover-up for all the eye sex they just had. Megan is there to "grab" "a" "file" "that" "she" "forgot." Rayna puts on her shoes in a hurry, saying that she has to get ready for the "Ball and Chain" party, which Deacon also will be going to since he got an invite from Gunnar. Then Rayna sort of slides by him and says it's a good song, and I think he maybe looks at her butt. She rushes out the door, Deacon looks conflicted, and then Megan comes back from getting her alleged "file" and says, "She just left?" Deacon says she did and that they're done. But not DONE done. Never DONE done.
Zoey then shows up at Gunnar's place, to go to the number one party. She wants to be honest about how it hurt her feelings that he cancelled on meeting her friends three times. Gunnar says he didn't mean to (at least today), but he was writing a song with Jay DeMarcus. Zoey tells him she wouldn't have asked him to do anything differently, but wanted to be honest about how she felt. Gunnar -- who let's be honest is not history's greatest boyfriend -- wonders why she's giving him a hard time about it. She says she's not… she's talking. He counters that she's criticizing. He does want to hear about her feelings, he says (but doesn't mean it) and THEN says that any songwriter he knows would understand the opportunity that he was presented with -- even Scarlett would get it. And dude… bad move. Zoey leaves to head back to the Bluebird and spend time with people who legitimately want to be with her, and tells Gunnar that he can take Scarlett to the number one party. And if anyone is going to make Zoey look rational here, it's definitely Scarlett.
With that, we're at the "Ball and Chain" party. Champagne is flowing, and there are giant pictures of Gunnar and Rayna and Luke all around. Scarlett runs into Deacon, who is surprised to see her there. She says she'd rather not be and enlists his help in avoiding Gunnar. Before he can try to avoid further conversation in this vein, Rayna comes up and gives him a big hug and an ironic "long time no see." She also hugs Scarlett, noting that Bucky has been lying that everything is going great for Scarlett out on the road. Deacon, now in the presence of Rayna and her wavy and mesmerizing hair of perfection, doesn't even want to hear about how well his niece is or is not doing. Rather he says, "Speaking of great, how about that new song we wrote, huh?" And then they start doing a back-and-forth Rayna and Deacon thing about whether there's room for a solo after the bridge. Scarlett is taken aback that they're writing together again, and Rayna says she thought her new album might need some Deacon magic. Deacon in turn says that Rayna brought some magic herself and Scarlett seems like she wants to die. Just when she thinks things couldn't get worse, Gunnar walks in to copious applause and Scarlett runs off.
With that, Avery and Juliette walk downtown. Juliette is in the most disguisey-disguise she can muster (it involves a dark wig, hippie hat, and glasses) and looks around as if someone might throw a flaming copy of "In the Dream" at her face. Unconvincingly, she says she's not scared as Avery opens the case of his guitar.
Back at the party, Luke enters and mumbles something about absence and the heart and fondness as he hugs Rayna. She says she's happy to see him, and then their moment is ruined by Jeff, who gives Rayna grief for doing nothing to promote the song. Apparently she didn't have to since it's number one anyway. Jeff really needs some lessons in competent evildoing and/or business-running. Rayna is happy to be there, since any public event is an opportunity to promote her new label. She excuses herself, and Luke chuckles. See, I DO like him a little sometimes and I find that very confusing.
Oh JEEZ, and then Teddy -- who is really losing it as evidenced by his marginally tousled hair -- storms into Megan's office and asks if she represents all lowlifes or just the ones that end up in the paper. First Claybourne, he says, now Stoffel. Teddy watched Stoffel kill his wife, and can't believe that Megan has the audacity to say that he's innocent. Megan remains calm in the face of Teddy's screaming, and says that Stoffel left a wife behind and she knows what it's like to be her. Teddy wonders if she REALLY knows what it's like, and Megan says that she DOES know what it's like to turn every morning to look for your spouse, and he's not there and never will be again. Hmmm, I think Teddy knows what that's like too. Megan wants to know who's behind Stoffel's death, and why he killed Peggy. She doesn't believe that he committed suicide, even though he was bitter about losing his job at Hollander Enterprises. Hollander who in the what now? asks Teddy with the crumpled face of a man who has put two and two together. And not to alarm anyone, but Teddy is NOT looking good, you guys.
But really, who cares about Teddy and Megan and Peggy's stupid beret-wearing corpse when there's a music party going on! Luke grabs Rayna away from some young folks, telling her that they haven't had a moment alone and pretending that they're just duet partners is exhausting and depressing. He tells her that he knows he didn't support her buying herself out of Edgehill, but it wasn't his place to say so. He's an opinionated bastard, which is a sentiment that Rayna agrees with. She likes that about him, though, and tells him that he doesn't have to apologize. The fact that Rayna wants him to be an unapologetic opinionated bastard makes Luke even crazier about her than he was in the first place, which I thought was not at all but apparently is quite a bit. Rayna kind of grossly says that she likes a man who's strong in what he believes in. This guy believes in a silhouette of himself tipping his cowboy hat! Run! (See, I am back to not liking him again.) Luke wants to kiss Rayna, but she says the minute that happens in public they're a celebrity couple with no privacy. She's not ready for that, but Luke is. He agrees that the situation is complicated, what with the celebrity factor and both of them having two kids, but he missed her so much he almost spilled the beans to his progeny. Before he did, though, he wanted to see where her head's at. And I guess clarify that he wasn't, in fact, blowing her off with his "see you around." Rayna says that she's waiting for her head to catch up with her heart. So… she's waiting to realize that she's actually still in love with Deacon? And that Liam is the best thing? Luke says he's willing to wait, and that he's taking a rain check on the kiss, which is perfectly played. She laughs as he walks away, then spies Deacon across the room and gazes longingly. GAH.
And then in probably the best scene of the episode, Avery and Juliette busk on the street. He plays guitar and she plays tambourine, and they sing a totally sweet song together. A crowd gathers and bops around, and Juliette gets a big smile because she loves music and also Avery. There's no way that no one in that crowd wouldn't recognize her voice, though.
Rayna and Luke then address the crowd at the "Ball and Chain" party, lauding Gunnar and telling the story of how they got the song. It of course involves Gunnar and Scarlett at the pool (though not Rayna and Luke in the same bed), which causes Gunnar to look at Scarlett in the crowd. He eventually approaches her, saying he hopes that they're past all the weirdness and can be friends again. Scarlett, in keeping with her general trend of not being able to have a normal or situational-appropriate conversation, does not think that's such a good idea… after what happened. He thinks she's talking about the whole situation with Zoey, but Scarlett means what happened when they were singing with Kelly Clarkson. OH, you mean sabotaging a really fantastic opportunity like a huge dolt? Nay. In fact, she is talking about "that thing" that always happens between them when they sing together. Gunnar isn't sure what she's talking about, and tells her that he was just playing a song and all he felt was the music. So first of all, that may be a lie, but I hope it's not because watching her freak out and run away vole-like through the crowd is pretty awesome.
We then cut to Scarlett in the bathroom, splashing water on her face and crying. Rayna finds her and asks what's going on. Scarlett, with water dripping from her face like a crazy person, says that she has no control over her life. She didn't want to come to this party, and spits out (in the rabid "did you sleep with that woman?" voice) that Rayna might have weird co-dependent relationships with her ex-boyfriends, but she doesn't. Oh yeah, Scarlett's just the crystalline picture of emotional health. Rayna then asks what she's talking about and Scarlett, showing off the original wordsmithery that makes her such a songwriting sensation, clichés that if Rayna asks Deacon to jump, he'll always ask how high. And Scarlett? Why don't you try minding your own freaking business? GOD.
Meanwhile, Gunnar bumps into Jeff and before he can say anything Jeff spits out, "You're welcome." Gracious as ever! Gunnar then sees Jay DeMarcus and his wife Allison. Jay wonders where Zoey is and tells Gunnar that he's got to make it right with his girl… because there's so much more to it than all this. Maybe that's why his schedule is so suspiciously clear?
Luke then approaches Deacon, and they trade congratulations. Yes, Luke has a buddy who works at Belcourt and heard about Deacon's solo deal. Deacon says that it's not Wheeler-size, but Luke tells him that any deal in this day and age is good, especially when you're starting out. Not that Deacon's exactly just starting out, but we all know what he means. Luke tells Deacon that he passed up a lot of opportunities when he was younger, and it's nice to see him putting himself back out there after so many years of being somebody else's support system. Deacon deserves to stand on his own, says Luke, in what I'm sure is a solely altruistic statement not at all designed to keep Deacon and Rayna the heck away from each other. Gah! Again!
Meanwhile, Avery and Juliette have made enough for burgers and beers, though she's not feeling up for festivities. Even though she had fun, she says, her life is still falling apart and everyone's turning on her. She wonders if Jeff is right and she should apologize for something she didn't say, before she has nothing left. And, hey… where is Juliette's hotshot publicist Makena in all this? Anyway, Avery tells Juliette that she'll never have nothing. Tonight proves that she loves music and people responded to her even without knowing that she's Juliette Barnes. Juliette wants to go home and think… solo. Much to Avery's chagrin.
We then see Gunnar poke his head in at the Bluebird, where Zoey is hanging out with her church friends. He apologizes for comparing her to Scarlett, saying that what they had was a whirlwind. His brother died in the middle of it, and suddenly they were "this thing." But that's nothing like what he has with Zoey. She's happy not to be a Scarlett replacement, but annoyed that she keeps inviting him into her world while he's too wrapped up in his own to care. And can we all just take a minute to acknowledge the fact that Zoey has been in town for, like, three weeks and has more friends than Scarlett has made in her entire time living in Nashville? Given that Scarlett has made zero friends that's not all that hard, but still. Gunnar talks about not wanting his dream career to stop. Zoey doesn't want that either, but she says that if it does she'll still be there. And then she invites him to meet her friends this very minute, not giving him much opportunity to decline.
And then it's time for sad and mournful Rayna and Deacon heartbreak. She asks if he had fun at the party, he says that "Ball and Chain" is a great song… though not as good as theirs. Deacon tells Rayna that it was real nice working with her again, and she agrees, though she thinks it's probably not something they should do again anytime soon. And… sigh. Deacon agrees with that. Rayna has her new label taking off, while Deacon has a shot at a solo career. She says that it feels that both of their lives are really moving forward, and it might be a little too easy to fall back into old patterns. He says, "…Yeah." And then, in a way that is only possible for these two, they manage to have quickie forearm sex. Like, with squeezes and everything. And do you guys remember that one episode last year when they were so happy? Misty watercolored memories, is what that episode is.
Teddy then stalks Lamar's number two, Smithers, at whatever weird hotel bar where they're always hanging out. Of course, he's there to interrogate Smithers about Stoffel. Hollander Enterprises, after all! It was an off-the-books subsidiary of Wyatt Industries, so obviously Lamar was trying to kill Teddy because he thinks that Teddy turned him into the feds. Smithers tells Teddy that paranoia is a component of post-traumatic stress. Burn! They trade barbs and Smithers walks off saying that Teddy seems to attract all sorts of bad lack. Well that part is true, at least.
And then Juliette goes to church. Is it the same one where she sung with the choir in front of Tim Tony Tebow Romo's parents, I wonder? In any case, she prays silently.
At Deacon's place, Megan says she's sorry for not being able to attend the "Ball and Chain" party and interrupt the forearm sex. He tells her that he decided to sign with Belcourt and focus on his solo career. She confirms that this means he won't write with Rayna. Why can't he do both? I mean, aside from the fact that then he and his true love will be together and blissfully happy and who wants THAT? Megan is pleased.
Meanwhile, Scarlett arrives at Rayna's and apologizes for being such a judgey twit who ruins everything. TOO LATE. Rayna is gracious about it, though, and says she wants to talk to Scarlett about career stuff. She's got talent, but it takes more than that. She has to want it so much that she's willing to be exhausted, and sleep on a bus, and show up at her ex-boyfriend's party and pretend she's having a great time -- because she wants it more than she hates all those other things. Sage advice, for real! Rayna says she won't apologize for asking a lot from Scarlett, because that goes with the territory. But if Scarlett wants to get out now, there's no shame in that. Dump Scarlett and sign Gunnar, is my vote! Scarlett says that she never wanted to be a singer, but the opportunity was just presented to her. She didn't know how hard it would be, but also didn't know how great it would be to be on stage in front of zillions of people. She says that she does want it and does love it, more than she hates the other things. Rayna tells her to let that drive her. Scarlett looks vacant in response. I'm sure this is going to work out great.
Teddy then pays another visit to Megan, but this time without all the screaming. Rather, he says sternly that he knows who ordered the hit -- it was Lamar Wyatt. Dun dunnnn!
And then Juliette shows up at Avery's place. She's made her decision… and needs him to write a song with her. Avery for sure is disappointed that this visit has nothing to do with a declaration of love.
Luke then visits Rayna at her house, with flowers in tow. She's been thinking about what might happen if they go public and get a celebrity name like "Ruke" or "Layna." Is this what celebrity couples do? If so, celebrity couples are grosser than we initially thought, and not even realizing that we'll totally call them "Puke" and "Lame-na." Anyway, they're both huge stars and Rayna thinks this is something worth investing in. Deacon is going to LOSE his MIND when this goes public. Sigh. Luke says they'll still be their own people, Ruke and Layna aside. Rayna notes that her girls are coming home soon, and it might be nice for Luke to meet them. And then they make out for a while, but their face suckage lacks the heat of certain forearm sex of yore.
week: Freaking NASCAR. Scarlett becomes a pillhead! Juliette gets defiant at the Opry and it seems that Edgehill drops her.
Potes didn't even realize that forearm sex was a thing. Perhaps she'll write a song about it, featured on http://www.traciepotochnik.com. Suggest lyrics by tweeting @traciepotes or emailing potesypotes@gmail.com.