‘Nashville’ Recap: Why Don’t You Love Me

Juliette slowly crumbles after Dante’s disappearance, and Rayna and Deacon come together despite everyone’s protests. Are they headed for a hard fall?

Tonight’s episode was the perfect slow burn of the fallout of the twists and turns viewers were met with last week, yet still managed to build further drama for our couples in the future. Juliette was forced to face the harsh reality of what she allowed Dante to do to her. Rayna and Deacon had to leave their post-bliss afterglow and face the real world. And Gunnar struggled with the boundary Will crossed when he kissed him.

The show opened with Rayna and Juliette learning they were nominated for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, one of the highest honors to women in country music. This makes Rayna’s ninth nomination and marks Juliette’s first. Since Rayna already has four, it’s safe to say that Juliette is going to gun for the winning spot, which is precisely where she put all her focus.

In what may be one of the most awkward mornings after an unexpected advance from Will, Scarlett invited him in for coffee and caught Gunnar off guard. Scarlett could use a sweet, gay BFF that supports her and pushes her out of her comfort zone and helps her see how special she really is, so I support their newfound friendship. I vote Will stays. Especially since he stepped up to be her date to the CMA nomination dinner when Gunnar had to record his demo. Speaking of Gunnar, does he dare protest too much? Just saying. Not to mention how much heartbreak – and inspiration – it’d be Scarlett if Gunnar left her for a guy. Anything is possible in Nashville, right?

Meanwhile, Gunnar was off recording his brother’s songs as his own. He’s finally getting noticed, but for work that isn’t his. What will it cost Gunnar in the long rung? Country music accepts a lot of things, but inauthenticity is not one of them. And Scarlett wasn’t exactly happy to learn he’d taken his brother’s songs, so his secret is already coming out.

With Dante on the loose with her money, Juliette drank her way through Nashville as she prepared for the CMA nomination dinner. (Take note: mimosas are perfectly fine to drink all day because people only drink vodka when they’re upset.) Except after learning Dante purchased a $17,000 ring with her credit card, Juliette turned to vodka and she didn’t stop drinking. Thankfully, it didn’t get in the way of her performance at the party. Although Rayna and Deacon’s little argument (more on that later) left her without a guitar player, she found a hero in Avery and performed a heartbreaking number about being used. Even when Juliette drives me completely insane, I can’t help but understand where she’s coming from. After their number, she gave Avery a peck, snuck away with him and a bottle of vodka, and tried to get him into bed. Always the noble man, he refused.

Fortunately, she had a body guard to carry her home where her mother tended to her. Juliette broke down in tears, always the broken girl, and just when things couldn’t get any worse, they do. Dante gave Juliette a phone call to inform her there is a sex tape of the two of them. Ouch.

Juliette’s counterpart, Rayna, wasn’t having an easy day either. After finally giving into their feelings after all this time, Rayna and Deacon were forced to face the reality of those around them not being too happy about their rekindled relationship. When you’re one another’s kryptonite, things get a little dangerous. Deacon broke things off with his girlfriend for good. She took his dog when she left him, so that’s basically a country song writing itself. Deacon is giving up everything for Rayna, specifically his chance to start over with a new woman. However, their past will always triumph over everything in the present and he wasn’t afraid to tell Rayna how much he loved her and that he’s basically willing to be her daughters’ stepdaddy and grow old with her and all those cute things. Super sweet, right? Except one of Rayna’s daughters is actually his. That sound you hear is drama building sky high.

In an effort to be honest, Rayna told Teddy about her rekindled relationship with Deacon. His reaction was far from happy. As he so wisely pointed out, Rayna cannot be with Deacon without the truth about their daughter coming out. And Ted may be a complete jerk in a lot of ways, but the man loves his daughters.

After her conversation with Teddy, Rayna met up with Deacon at the CMA nomination dinner and in a single look, he knew she was hiding something. Frustrated, he stormed out on her only to return later because none of it matter. She could tell him. She could not tell him. He’s willing to overlook it. Famous last words, Deacon. Famous last words. Especially later on when he reminded her that had things worked out all those years ago, they’d already have a family of their own together.

And this, my lovely Nashville fans, is what you call an amazingly done buildup for a couple to come together only to inevitably fall apart. It’s what soapy television is all about and Nashville is nailing it.

Any guesses on how long it will take before Deacon learns the truth? Will Juliette’s tape be released? What did you think about tonight’s episode? Leave your comments below and I’ll see you here next week.