Nashville – Sometimes You Just Can’t Win

By starrymag | March 1, 2018

By: Nicole Dintelman

 

 

This week on “Nashville,” Avery (Jonathan Jackson) is headed home from Bolivia minus his wife. If you recall last week she told him she wasn’t coming home. We don’t know if that means ever or just for right now. Deacon (Charles Esten) and Jessie (Kaitlin Doubleday) are enjoying some cuddle time in bed when his alarm goes off. Jessie tells him to go take care of his business. Deacon asks her if she’s going to come to his gig at the Bluebird the following night. Deacon doesn’t want to leave with Jessie still in bed.

 

Scarlett (Clare Bowen) and Sean (Jake Etheridge) are unloading hay. Scarlet invites him to come to Deacon’s gig but Sean declines. He tells her that it’s not his sort of scene. Scarlett says that she thought he would like it since he was playing music in the barn. Sean asks her if she was watching him. She tells him that she heard him so she went to see. Scarlett asks Sean what is so hard about playing music for him. Sean tells her he has other things to do and leaves her to finish the hay alone.

 

Avery finally gets home. Cadence is with Emily (Kourtney Hansen) waiting for him. Emily tells him that she’s sure Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) will be back. Avery asks her to stay for a few days. He’s not sure he can be alone. Will (Chris Carmack) is doing pull-ups on a bar in the closet. Gunnar (Sam Palladio) asks him why he’s doing them. Will wants to stay in shape, well that and the steroids make him crazy. Gunnar tells Will that no matter what he’s got going on with Alannah he’s on his side about the band stuff.

 

Will asks what is going on with Alannah (Rainee Blake). Gunnar says something, nothing, he doesn’t really know. Will tells him that the other night on stage when the crowd was going wild for Alannah he felt small. It’s not a familiar feeling for him. Gunnar tells him it’s about what’s in his heart. That’s what makes the difference. Will laughs at him because he put his hand over his heart on his chest. This bromance is amazing.

 

Daphne (Maisy Stella) is on the computer working on one of her songs. Deacon comes in and asks her what she’s working on. She tells him she’s working on a song. He says it’s gorgeous. Daphne tells him it’s for her EP. She says she wants to make an EP. Deacon tells her that they can discuss it later. He says she’s not doing an EP right now. Daphne wants to know why. Deacon says it’s because of her age. Not a great excuse since Maddie (Lennon Stella) wasn’t much older when she started. Deacon wants her to figure out who she is as an artist before releasing anything.

 

The guys are playing pool and Avery is filling them in on Juliette’s whereabouts. Bucky (David Alford) comes in with Alannah to let them know that The Last Highways has been invited to perform on The Chew. The catch is they want them to sing Alannah’s songs. This pisses Will off and he storms off. Alannah goes outside with Bucky and tells him that he needs to tell the show she’s not doing both songs. It’s the guy’s band, not hers. Bucky tells her that the guys are professionals and they understand. Alannah is adamant that she’s not going to sing both songs.

 

Scarlet gets called to the office at the equine farm. Sean’s aunt is surprised that Scarlett is still there. Scarlett tells her that she’s just trying to be helpful. Gail reminds her that if she wants to be helpful with Sean she needs to come to her first. She asks Scarlett what she’s trying to prove by taking him out. Scarlet says he’s not going. Gail says that PTSD is a constant struggle and Sean as agoraphobia. Just leaving the house is difficult for him. Gail sees the invite as anxiety that Sean doesn’t need. Scarlet asks how he’s supposed to get over his anxiety if he can’t face what he’s scared of. Gail asks Scarlet if she’s Sean’s therapist now.

 

Deacon is rehearsing with the band for his gig when Jessie and Jake (Myles Moore) arrive. Deacon tells Jake that Daphne is over on the stage if he wants to say hi. Jake declines. Deacon tells Jessie about Daphne wanting to record an EP. Jessie thinks it’s an awesome idea. Deacon says he’s not ready for Daphne to go through all of the rejection yet. Deacon starts his set with a song that he says is to show people that good things come to those who wait. That introduction earns an eye roll from Daphne.

 

Avery makes a bold move and takes off his wedding ring. Will takes his temperature and realizes he’s running a fever. To be honest, he looks like death warmed over. Jessie and Jake get home from the Bluebird and Jessie asks him if he wants to talk. Jake tells her no but she’s not taking that for an answer. Jake asks her why she had to marry his dad anyway. Jessie says that she got something great out of the relationship. She got him. Jake is on the verge of tears. He tells his mom that Brad (Jeffrey Nordling)  is sending him to boarding school.

 

Jessie is filling Deacon in about Brad’s boarding school plan. Jessie knows she has to say something to Brad but she’s dreading it. Deacon asks Jessie to let him do something. She tells him there’s nothing he can do. Deacon wonders if this is because of their relationship. Jessie says it’s way worse. He doesn’t want her to have any happiness of any kind. We know Brad has primary custody but you would think what the other parent has to say would matter.

 

Gunnar tells Avery that he’s worried about him. He wants him to know whatever is going on with Juliette, he’s there for him. Will arrives for rehearsal and wants to know what Gunnar said to Bucky about the setlist for the show. Gunnar has no clue what he’s talking about. Alannah speaks up and tells Will it was her. Will is obviously mad but says he’s not and storms out. Daphne is at home printing out an application for Nashville’s next. She forges Deacon’s signature and tells Maddie she’s going to the library.

 

Sean visits Scarlett at home. He brings her blanket back that he used. He took it home and washed it. He says that military habits die hard. Scarlett tells him how sweet it was of him to do. Sean asks her if she’s still going to her uncle’s gig because he’d like to go. Scarlett apologizes and tells him it was the previous night. She says she knows of something going on that evening and they can go to that. It’s sold out but she can get them in. The sold-out part has Sean worried. She invites him to stay for coffee.

 

Daphne arrives for the audition for the competition. A girl in line asks her if she’s nervous. Daphne says not really. She does look pretty nervous though. Alannah asks Avery how much Will hates her. Avery says he doesn’t hate her, he’s just going through some stuff. Alannah says that she just wants everyone to be happy and make great music. She asks Avery about Juliette and tells him how great she thinks she is. Avery says it’s just what happens with Juliette. Alannah says that relationships are hard. She tells him that she’ll see him the following day.

 

It’s time for Daphne’s audition. She tells the judge that she’ll be singing an original song that she wrote. Brad hears her performance and asks someone if they know who she is. He says it’s Rayna James’ daughter. The judge stops Daphne and tells her it’s more than enough and it was great. Daphne looks a little confused but says thank you and walks off stage. Brad has an evil grin on his face. It’s clear that he’ll do whatever he can to cause issues for Deacon.

 

Brad is on the phone when Jessie storms in. She hangs up his phone and asks him why he’s doing this. She wants him to admit that it has nothing to do with Jake. Brad tells her they made a deal that he would do his homework and he’s not. Brad says Jake needs to be a man and face the consequences. Jessie reminds him that he’s only thirteen years old. Brad brings up Jake’s performance at the school. He feels it’s clear that Jake needs direction. Maybe that’s why he’s sending him away. His feelings are hurt. Who knew Brad had any. Jessie tells Brad that she despises him. He tells her that he thinks she looks lovely.

 

Deacon is telling the girls about Jake over dinner. Maddie says that she can’t believe that Jessie can’t do anything to stop it. Deacon asks Daphne if Jake has been acting weird at school. Daphne tells him that he’s always weird. Daphne tells her family that she auditioned for Nashville’s Next. Both Maddie and Deacon are flabbergasted. Daphne tells Deacon that Brad’s parenting has nothing to do with the show. Deacon says that Brad has everything to do with the show.

 

Maddie tells Daphne that she doesn’t need a show to make music. Daphne tells her that some people don’t think she’s ready to make music on her own. Deacon says that it’s not what he said. What he said was the world isn’t ready for her. Deacon says that the show will try to change her sound. Maddie tells her sister that their dad has a point. Daphne automatically thinks that Maddie is on Deacon’s side. Deacon says that there are no sides. Daphne storms off and Deacon tries to follow but Maddie stops him.

 

Will grabs his gym bag to leave and almost passes out. Sean meets Scarlet at the writer’s round. He’s drunk. It’s clear that he’s not doing well. Scarlet asks if he’s okay. He says he’s fine but he jumps at every noise then storms out. Scarlet follows him out. Sean tells her that she has to leave him alone, he can’t be fixed. Scarlet says that she’s not trying to fix him. She says it’s okay for him to be scared. Sean asks her what she knows about being scared. She’s probably never been scared in her life.

 

Scarlet tells him that she’s sorry he went through but you don’t have to get shot at to feel like the worlds closing in on you. Sean says he wants to turn it off and be like everyone else. Scarlet says that she wants that too. Sean gets upset and tells Scarlet not to compare herself to him. Scarlet says that she understands that he looks at other people and thinks they’re fine but he doesn’t know what they have going on inside of them. There’s a person who got beaten, got raped, or lost a child. She tells him it’s hard to be a person even if you haven’t been shot at.

 

Deacon arrives at Avery’s to check on him. Avery tells him that Juliette’s not coming back. Deacon asks what he means. Avery says that Juliette says she needs to separate herself from everyone. They’re toxic. Avery tells Deacon that he realized on the way home that it’s already done. It doesn’t matter. Deacon again asks Avery what he means. Avery tells him that first, it was the drinking, then the rehab, then the suicide attempt, and now this. He can’t spend the rest of his life waiting for the next emergency. Deacon tells Avery that he’s sorry. Avery says that he doesn’t even care. He’s done. He doesn’t even know what it means but he won’t live his life like he has been anymore.

 

Gail is saddling horses and Scarlet has to once again apologize for going against what she wanted. Scarlett gets a text from Sean to meet him in the barn. He has a guitar. Sean tells her not to say anything until he’s finished. His aunt watches from the door and realizes that Scarlett is helping him, not hurting. When Sean is finished singing, Scarlett tells him it was beautiful. He needs to share it with the world.

 

The guys are on a bus to perform on The Chew. Alannah heads to the back of the bus to talk to Avery. She tells him about her ex and their relationship. They went back and forth for a long time. She still drops everything to see him because she doesn’t think she can live without him. Avery says that she doesn’t have to tell him all about it. Alannah says that she keeps it a secret because she’s ashamed. She tells him that she’s guessing that he knows something about that feeling. Why is it that it feels like she’s hitting on him while trying to be understanding?

 

Daphne is folding laundry when Deacon comes into apologizes. He tells her that he was thinking with his heart and not his head. Deacon tells Daphne that he’s afraid that Brad is going to exploit her because of who she is. Daphne asks who she is. Deacon says that she’s her moms little baby. Daphne tells him she wants to see what else she can be. When she went to the audition she felt happy for the first time since before her mom died. Daphne says that this is her way and Deacon gives his blessing.

 

There will only be three finalists selected for the show. Of course, Daphne is one of them. Deacon is there to cheer her on. Jessie is trying to get Jake ready to go to his dads. Jake tells her that he’s not going. He shuts his door. Deacon offers to leave to try to make it easier. Jessie tells him that she can stay. Brad arrives and Jessie heads out to tell him that he doesn’t want to go. Brad pushes his way in the house and laughs when he sees Deacon. Brad is such an ass!

 

Brad tells Jake it’s time to go. Jake tells his dad to shut up, he doesn’t have to talk to him. Jake goes back to his room and won’t open the door. Brad tells him that he’s going to come in there after him. Jake still doesn’t answer so he busts through the door. Jake tells his dad he’s not going. Brad grabs a hold of Jake and Deacon busts in and pushes him up against the wall. He tells him he needs to calm down. Brad asks Deacon if he just assaulted him. This looks like trouble. Brad leaves and tells Deacon he’ll be talking to him.

 

The Last Highways are getting ready for their performance on The Chew. Will looks like he’s about to pass out. The rest of the group can tell something is wrong with him. Will knocks the microphone down and starts his very own super guitar hero solo. Finally, everything comes to a head and Will collapses. The paramedics arrive to work on him, while the rest of the group is freaking out. All we hear is that Will doesn’t have a pulse. Now we get to wait until June to see the conclusions of our favorite “Nashville” residents!