Nashville is a show that I’ve liked from the start, even if every episode hasn’t been a slam dunk. I think this week’s episode, “You Win Again”, was a great example of how the series has slowly developed the characters, built up their back stories and complicated their relationships.

The worlds of the characters have begun to blur. Deacon’s on tour with Rayna and Juliette, playing for Juliette and mad at Rayna. I like where his breakdown, related to a negative and untrue magazine article, has put him. He’s hurt and vulnerable, and it’s interesting to have that mixed in with the rivalry of Rayna and Juliette.

Juliette has been softened, thanks to the scenes with her mom this week. It feels like she’s growing up a little and I think the character needs that. I also like that some balance has been restored by making Rayna a bit of the bad guy for a while. She ignored Juliette on stage and was quick to accept all the praise for the hit song they wrote together. I think the show works better when it’s not such an obvious young brat vs. respected legend feud.

What Rayna’s character needs soon is a divorce. This season has peeled back their relationship a layer at a time to reveal why they should no longer be together. I think Rayna’s storyline will be more interesting if she’s going through a public divorce, rather than what’s happening now.

I like the idea of Scarlett and Gunnar joining Avery’s old band, but I’m only interested in Avery as a character in the context of him failing and having to watch his old girlfriend and friends succeed. Right now I’m not sure if the show means for us to pity him or not, but I certainly don’t.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Couchtime/~3/ym0VHl8Ocso/