Tell Me a Story – Writer’s Block

By: Ujjyani Banerjee

Ashley (Natalie Alyn Lind) wakes up to Damien’s (Phillip Rhys) text about her new single being a massive hit. While she’s indifferent to the news, Beau (Eka Darville) is pleasantly listening to that very song while getting to work. Suddenly, he gets pulled over by Officer Miller (Christian Robinson) for no apparent reason. Beau is made to show his gun license. Miller pokes at his new job at Ashley’s and makes fun of him being fired from the police force because of his high morality. As Beau drives away we see a “Missing cat” flier on a lamppost; the flier has Reba’s face on it.

Jackson (Matt Lauria) wakes up, finds Simone’s (Ashley Madekwe) bracelet and decides to return the jewelry to her. Maddie (Odette Annable) is at the law firm where her colleague, Brendan (Harry Shum Jr.), realizes that she’s in a mood and lends her an ear. It turns out that Maddie’s troubled with Tucker’s (Paul Wesley) change in behavior. She’s amazed at how Brendan and his wife are so content and committed. Meanwhile, Tucker is struggling to escape writer’s block. Susie (Kathryn Prescott), after offering to mend the smashed guitar, informs Ashley about the record label suggesting a “pity” press which could skyrocket her already-hit single. Ashley is furious. She confronts Rebecca (Carrie-Anne Moss) and refuses to do any press whatsoever. Just as she’s about to leave, Beau takes position to follow her and this irks Ashley. She screams at him. Susie drives out amidst paparazzi. Kyle (Casey Thomas Brown) follows her.

Having had enough, Beau asks his dad to relieve him of Ashley’s duties as the job is too demeaning for an ex-cop. Ken (Evan Parke) reminds him that he’s not a quitter, but this makes Beau feel worse. Ken needs time to find a replacement. Beau agrees to it. Simone is at her dad’s funeral. There she meets her stepmother, Veronica (Garcelle Beauvais), and her twin sons Derek (Christopher Meyer) and Ron (Caleb Castille). Veronica isn’t too thrilled to see Simone but invites her to the reception anyways. It seems that Simone hasn’t been in touch with her dad in a long time, but nonetheless is grateful to have been invited. Tucker follows Olivia (Danielle Campbell) into a coffee shop where she’s with her friend, Tanya (Geneva Maccarone). Olivia regrets having moved to Nashville as bad things have been gravitating towards her ever since she arrived, the newest jolt being Reba missing. Tucker notes down their conversation on his laptop. Suddenly, he remembers about the scheduled food-tasting appointment that he had with Maddie. He rushes to Pruitt’s. Ashley and Damien quibble about the quintessential “pity” press. Keeping her condition in mind the label is ready to make do with radio as opposed to TV, but Ashley isn’t interested in doing either. She storms away. Beau follows her. Both trespass off the property and enter a barn. While petting the horses, Ashley opens up about how the recent success is poking at her destroyed career and how the label pressures her to do cliched soulless songs as opposed to the ones written by her. Beau asks her to not lose faith and appreciates her new soulful single which, as it turns out, was written by her. Ashley’s lips break into a smile. She returns home and agrees to do a radio interview.

Simone goes to the funeral. Derek and Ron accompany Veronica while hosting the guests. After answering questions about his failed romantic relationship, Derek spots Simone and both have a drink. Simone is elated to meet her godmother, Cora (Julia Campbell), and learns from her that her dad tripped on the stairs one night and Veronica found him dead the next morning. Cora suggests a proper catch-up before Simone leaves town. Tucker is late to the food-tasting and Maddie is mad. Despite him blaming “writer’s block” and “insomnia” for his flakey behavior, Maddie asks him to go figure his stuff out soon or they’re done for good. Simone and Veronica come face-to-face at the reception. After exchanging fake pleasantries, Veronica accuses Simone of having interest in her late husband’s trust money and their distillery business, as opposed to harboring any real feelings. In retaliation, Simone blatantly blames her for dad’s fishy accident that ended up being fatal. The twins step in before the fight takes an uglier turn. As Simone’s about to leave the property Cora walks up to her and agrees with the “fishy” part. She is sure that Veronica’s got something to do with it, but Simone now wonders if it’s a stretch. Cora spots Ron staring at them. She cuts the conversation short, agrees with Simone and lets her go.

Kyle purposely bumps into Susie who was on her way back from the guitar repair shop. He apologizes and starts talking about the vintage guitar passionately. While doing so, neither does he take Ashley’s name nor does he show his obsessive-side. After a brief chat, Kyle asks her out for coffee. Susie, who’s running late, agrees for drinks later and asks him for his number. She’s pleasantly surprised when he suggests her favorite bar for the date. Tucker is at a rose garden with Reba. He clasps on to a thorny stem until he starts to bleed profusely. Later, he goes to Olivia’s and poses to be the person who found her pet. He has left Reba in the car and is himself donning a bandaged wrist. Olivia is thrilled to learn that Reba is safe and realizes that she bit Tucker. She walks up to the car, opens the door and peers into Reba’s eyes when Tucker drugs her into unconsciousness.

The radio interview begins. Ashley has a good start, but gets overwhelmed when asked about her future. Rebecca ends the call in time before her daughter breaks down and then follows her to her room. She apologizes and wants her to talk it all out. She even suggests the therapist. Ashley; however, isn’t interested in either of them. Simone gets home and finds Jackson waiting for her outside. He found her address after checking out some of the nearby hotels and has now come to return the bracelet. Simone lets him help her put on the jewelry. They make out and have sex. Beau takes back his resignation as he is not a quitter. Ken is happy to see the perkiness in him. Before heading home, Beau gives a panic button to Ashley for safety. It can be worn around the neck. Ashley loves how protective he is of her.

Maddie is working late at the office. She receives a call. Seeing that it’s Tucker, she lets it go to voicemail. Whilst laying out cat food for Reba, Tucker apologizes for his behavior and blames his insomnia for all of it. He wants to meet Maddie the next day and promises to turn things around. After disconnecting the call, Tucker walks into his hidden basement. There we see Olivia. She’s sleeping peacefully on a bed and is handcuffed to it, too. Tucker lies down next to her and gradually dozes off.