After a long hiatus, we are back in Nashville. Deacon is playing “Love Like Mine” for his new pup, who is not feeling so well. He calls the animal hospital to get the pup looked at. Meanwhile, it’s the “morning after” for Gunnar and Scarlett. Gunnar’s feeling sullen. Scarlett offers to reschedule their audition for Rayna (who is interested in signing them), but Gunnar tells her not. He’s going to take care of some things and meet her there. He brushes off Scarlett’s attempts to reach out to him, and she doesn’t seem like she’s the least bit concerned about those mysterious “things” he’s going to take care of. Meanwhile at Casa James, Manager Bucky walks in on Daphne and Rayna’s morning conversation, and Daphne runs off to get ready for school. He and Rayna banter about the lack of new talent available for her to sign to her new label. Rayna’s fussing about all the stuff she has to do, and Bucky gently suggests that she could do some classy PR control by interviewing with Katie Couric about everything. Rayna resists the idea but asks if she can find out the questions first. Maddie walks in, ignores Rayna and Bucky’s morning greetings, and walks out. Rayna follows her, and while understanding that today’s a rough day with a lot of change, chides her for her lack of manners. Maddie goes all sullen rebellious teenager on her, complete with foul language and jab about how it’s no wonder her father left Rayna. Meanwhile, Teddy introduces new deputy mayer Coleman Carlile at a press conference.
On Music Row, Juliette walks into a meeting with Marshall Evans, accompanied by her PA Emily. Marshall teases her about not having a new manager yet, but Juliette says it’s time she sat at the “big kids table.” They discuss plans for her new album rollout next month. Lindsay in marketing talks about TV appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America, and a series of intimate fan shows like the ones Juliette has this afternoon. Juliette says this is a traditional rollout that works for somebody like Rayna but not for somebody of her generation. Marshall reminds her that this rollout did work for her last album (which Marshall couldn’t have overseen seeing as he’s new, but OK!). Juliette is interested in more aggressive internet marketing because this is a new kind of album for her. Marshall tells Juliette to stick to what she knows how to do. As they walk out of the meeting, Juliette uses social media to invite the world to her fan club party, and promises a free single to the first 200 to show.
Meanwhile in Atlanta, Avery walks in to meet more of Domino’s label team, and is surprised to discover Domino has already played rough mixes for them. Domino plays part of a new track and promises Avery this is his “East Nashville meets dubstep” sound is going to be huge. Marilyn thinks this will go over very well in Europe. Avery’s not sure about the electronic approach, but Domino is.
At the animal hospital, Deacon banters with the cute vet, who is a newbie to Nashville and hates country music. The pup, who still doesn’t have a name, is going to be fine. Deacon offers to take the cute vet out to lunch. Meanwhile, Gunnar chases down a detective who had been on Jason’s case to ask if there’s any progress in identifying who murdered his brother. The detective characterizes the case as a textbook drug deal gone bad in a bad part of town, and says the case isn’t a top priority because Jason was a felon who had violated parole.
Rayna (who is at Casa James) and Teddy (who is at his office) are having what seems to be a friendly enough conversation by phone over their arrangement. They are trading off nights at the home, so that the girls can stay where they are. Rayna updates Teddy on Maddie’s attitude issue. Teddy promises he’ll be home at 6 as scheduled, though Rayna offers to cover for him if necessary. Rayna also asks again that he keep Peggy out of their home, which prompts Teddy to hang up on her. Rayna dolefully takes off her wedding ring and takes her luggage out of the home.
In Atlanta, Domino walks in on Avery telling Marilyn that he hates the new direction. Marilyn tells Avery that Domino has earned his reputation for a reason, and Domino tells Avery that he gets to call the shots.
Juliette and Jolene are having a therapy session, and arguing over a memory Jolene has of waiting for Juliette outside of a show and Juliette looking right at and then ignoring her. Juliette argues with Jolene that it never happened, and the counselor tries to talk both of them down. Juliette questions his credentials, and the counselor tells her he is qualified because he took falls much worse than Jolene’s and came out of them OK.
Meanwhile Deacon has slept with the cute vet, who, like the cute pup, doesn’t have a name. Deacon initially wants to take her to lunch, but then realizes he can’t because he has a gig with Juliette. Cute vet tells him to name the pup, and leaves.
Scarlett calls Gunnar, wondering where he is. She tells him to meet her at the studio for their audition for Rayna, and grabs her banjo on the way out the door.
Teddy and Coleman are together in the mayor’s office when Lamar storms in and asks whether their joint press conference was to send a message. Teddy says that this is a pragmatic appointment based on Coleman’s experience. Lamar points out that Coleman has no intention of supporting the new stadium. Teddy informs him that they will be building a stadium, but in a cheaper location with better access than Lamar’s land can offer. Subway has expressed interest in naming rights. Lamar wants to sit Teddy down and remind both Teddy & Coleman who got Teddy elected when Maddie calls Teddy. She is outside in line for Juliette’s party, but he doesn’t know that. Maddie asks for permission to go to a friend’s house for a group history project despite being grounded. Teddy absent-mindedly asks whether her friend’s parents will be there, and when Maddie says yes, he says it’s fine as long as she is home for dinner.
Scarlett calls Gunnar again, he is nowhere to be found and now late. Rayna’s nervous to showcase her new discovery for Marshall, and she and Marshall have some awkward banter as they wait for Bucky to check on whether their showcase act is ready.
Juliette’s fan club party is overflowing with people, which concerns Deacon and security. She is excited though, and starts singing. The crowd is really into it, until it gets too into it and the crush of the crowd results in things and people getting knocked over. The fan club party clears out fast. Deacon finds Maddie, who was hit by a falling shelf, and she begs him not to tell her mother.
Marshall is ready to leave for another meeting, unimpressed by the lateness of Rayna’s discovery. Bucky walks in with Scarlett, who apologizes for Gunnar’s absence. Rayna asks Scarlett to play a song. Scarlett plays “Lookin For A Place To Shine” and Rayna is inspired and impressed.
DOWNLOAD “Looking For A Place To Shine,” cowritten by Natalie Hemby and Angela Lauer and performed by Clare Bowen HERE.
BONUS: Check out video of cowriter Angela Lauer performing “Looking For A Place To Shine”:
But Rayna’s phone buzzes with news of Maddie’s adventure, so Rayna has to up and leave. Rayna and Teddy meet at the hospital, where Maddie is going to be fine but needs a CT scan to rule out a concussion. Rayna thanks Deacon for taking care of Maddie, and he says she’s like family (uh huh). Rayna complains to Deacon about Teddy not knowing where Maddie was, and Deacon reminds Rayna she probably snuck out a time or two when she was Maddie’s age.
Juliette’s team is at her home doing damage control, and she is furious at PA Emily for not having the security situation under control. Emily tells her she can’t handle everything and needs help. Meanwhile the counselor and Jolene walk in for another session.
Avery shows up early for his next studio session. He’s greeted by an engineer, who conveniently takes off to grab a bit to eat. Avery takes the opportunity to grab his masters, which he takes outside and burns.
Gunnar stumbles into the place he shares with Scarlett drunk. Scarlett tries to talk to him, and Gunnar lays into her while Scarlett weeps and tries to comfort him. Gunnar brushes her off again and tells her he doesn’t need her pity.
At the hospital, Rayna prepares to cancel her trip to New York so she can stay with the girls. Teddy puts his foot down and says they are going to stick to their agreement about her not being at the house this week, that Rayna missed her share of stitches and bruises in the past. Rayna and Maddie bid each other a teary farewell, and Maddie and Teddy head off together.
The news is covering Juliette’s failed fan club party in an unflattering light, and Juliette isn’t getting why. Rayna calls Juliette and lays into her for not taking responsibility for anything.
Avery walks into the studio where Domino and Marilyn are waiting. He tells them he burned his masters, pays Domino $75k back, and tells Marilyn to enjoy her next big thing because he’s not it. Domino tells Avery he’s dead in this business, and Avery snaps that he’s never felt more alive.
Back at Deacon’s, Deacon and Coleman are hanging out on his porch, bantering about the pup. Coleman figures out that Deacon slept with the cute vet, and teases him about being “Mr. One & Done,” sleeping with many woman but always keeping himself available for Rayna. Deacon says maybe it’s that family that has a bizarre hold on people, seeing as Coleman is now back working with a guy who tried destroying him.
Now we’re at Juliette’s, where Juliette eavesdrops on Jolene’s counselor sharing his history (or his version of it) with Jolene, talking about blowing through $50 million through sex, drugs, and booze and being addicted to power. Jolene tells him she thinks the root of her addiction is the feeling that she fails at everything she does. The counselor says that recognition is the start to getting better. As he goes to get a drink of water, he notices Juliette listening, and doesn’t say anything.
Rayna goes back to Casa James, and pleads with Teddy to let her speak to Maddie, not because Rayna doesn’t trust Teddy but because Maddie needs two parents. Teddy relents.
Scarlett runs to Deacon to beg him to do something about Gunnar, whom she is sure is about to do something stupid. They figure out the bar where Gunnar has gone on a fact-finding mission, and chase him down here. Deacon tells Gunnar his own story, of making his best friend Vince drive drunk, which led to an accident that killed Vince. Deacon tells Gunnar he hung to the feeling of guilt and responsibility for that for years and it made him go dark and lose the only woman he loved among many other things. Deacon says the difference here is Gunnar isn’t responsible, and tells Gunnar that if he has to hang onto something, hang onto Scarlett. Gunnar goes home with Scarlett. Gunnar apologizes, and Scarlett tells him that last night was a mistake. They head off to separate bedrooms.
Rayna tells Maddie that she understands how difficult these times are for Maddie, but to know that no matter what, Teddy and Rayna both love her. Rayna gives Maddie the first guitar that her mother gave her, as an outlet to channel all the stuff she’s going through. Maddie smiles through her tears, and thanks her.
Avery is introduced (with the wrong last name) to perform at the Bluebird, and performs “Let Me Be Lonely,” while Gunnar and Scarlett reconnect at their home.
DOWNLOAD “Let There Be Lonely,” cowritten by Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers, and Gordie Sampson and performed by Jonathan Jackson HERE.
At Casa James/Conrad, Teddy, Maddie, and Daphne watch Rayna interview with Katie Couric, as does Deacon. Meanwhile Juliette tells Jolene and her counselor that Jolene was right, Juliette did see Jolene wearing a green sweater that Juliette remembers from when she was 12, and admits that she was embarrassed at the time. In the same breath, she invites Jolene and her counselor to join her on the road, saying the counselor can be her shrink too. They accept, and Juliette heads out. She’s going to pay the medical bills of the kids who were hurt at her show.
Meanwhile Deacon shows up at the animal hospital and awkwardly asks cute vet out on a date. He tells her he’s name his pup Sue, and she doesn’t get the joke but agrees to the date.
As the episode ends, Scarlett takes a phone call. It’s from Manager Bucky Dawes, who tells Scarlett that Rayna is excited to sign Scarlett as a solo artist. Drama!
BONUS: Check out video of the cast of Nashville cohosting and performing on The View today!
Connie Britton & Hayden Panettiere Interview
Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio perform “If I Didn’t Know Better”
Jonathan Jackson performs “Twist Of Barbwire”
Charles Esten performs “Sideshow”
