Ben Patton
Content Editor

One of ABC’s hottest shows is back! The country music drama, Nashville, stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere as dueling country divas; one out to revive her fading career and the other fighting to gain the spotlight and top spot in the industry. All while mixing things up with love triangles, backstabbing and family troubles of their own.

In case you forgot, last season ended with Rayna driving a drunken Deacon home when they crashed, leaving the vehicle upside down and leaving all of us in suspense as to their condition. Deacon had recently been told by Rayna’s eldest daughter that he could potentially be her father, and this news is what sent him into a tailspin that Rayna was trying to control before they were in the accident.

Fast forward to last night’s season premiere “I Fall To Pieces,” and we pick up right where we left off; an overturned vehicle with an unconscious Rayna and a bloodied up Deacon who manages to get them both out of the vehicle. The gruesome scene then pans into the past to show the duo, who have a history of romance and longtime love for each other (which was also renewed towards the end of last season), in happier times and viewing their dream home.

Next we learn Rayna has been in a coma for 2 weeks, and is being closely watched by doctors and her two adorable daughters, and controversial (but loyal) sister; even her estranged father takes an emotional turn by her bedside. Deacon is in court for a hearing regarding him operating a vehicle while under the influence (though Rayna was actually the one driving, so time will tell on this one) and Teddy (Rayna’s ex) pulled some strings as mayor of Nashville to set his rival’s bond at $1 million; just to make sure he stays away from “their” daughter I presume. (Teddy’s mistress Peggy also finds out she miscarried the baby they almost had together).

Next up, we see Juliet for the first time standing in her living room watching the news, which is of course plastered with images of Rayna and leads us to believe her accident and condition has consequently placed her back at the top of the charts and high on the radar of country music fans. Juliet is not at all pleased to have to continue a fight with a “saint in a coma” as the release of her new album is on the horizon.

We then take a visit to the Bluebird where Clare and her ex (Avery) seem to be staying friendly after their season 1 makeup, and Avery is still playing guitar for Juliet. Clare’s record deal is in limbo due to Rayna’s coma, she’s moving out of her other exe’s (Gunner) home, and he seems to be moving along as best he can with his new roommate, Will (the maybe gay cowboy from season 1) who is trying to set Gunner up with a new gal and he may have his eyes on someone too…well, it seemed that way til he punched the guy (yes, guy) in the face when he tried to kiss him. He needs to make up his mind already!

Juliet makes a surprising move at her album release concert with a special tribute to Rayna – her tour mate and industry rival. Knowing Juliet, this is probably one of her many stunts to get ahead in some way, but it was still nice.

One of the most touching scenes was when Juliet pulled a publicity stunt and went to the hospital to “visit” Rayna. She ends up running into Rayna’s daughter Maddie, and the two share a heart-to-heart before Maddie takes Juliet to see Rayna…which is absolutely the last thing she had intended when she made her promotional visit. You could almost see the hate melt away from her face as she saw her rival laying helplessly in bed with her daughter just waiting for her to be able to talk to her mom again. If there’s anything Juliet understands, it’s needing to have her mom around and wishing she had had those opportunities. Season 1 focused on her and her mother’s struggling relationship which ultimately ended with her mother committing suicide to save Juliet’s career.  

Clare makes an effort to raise bail money for her uncle who she said had been like a father to her, though he repays her by blowing up and making adamant declarations that he “is not her father” and in fact he’s nobody’s father. Deacon also learns from his attorney that she knows he wasn’t driving the vehicle when it crashed and that though his actions may have contributed, he was in no way responsible for a crime.

Clare also celebrates her pending record deal and last day at the Bluebird with a going away party and mini concert where she sings a heartbreaking song with Gunner. It was so sad mainly because it flashed to Will clearly contemplating his decisions to remain in the closet, or face his feelings; Juliet holding a photo of her mother and tearfully calling her friend; Peggy almost telling Teddy she lost the baby, but then choosing not to. Tears came to my eyes anyway.

Suddenly the alarms on Rayna’s machines go crazy and her blood pressure and brain activity spike in all the wrong ways; though she’s okay. The doctor tells Tandy that they feel safe to bring her out of the medically-induced coma, but warned her that Rayna may not remember them. Luckily, she comes out of it like a trooper and does remember them. It was a tearful reunion; for them and me!

Deacon finds out Rayna is awake and due to her testimony, Deacon is released.

Tandy gets a visit from an attorney who makes accusations that could mean her father (Lamar) was responsible for her (and Rayna’s) mother’s death.

Lamar ends up paying a visit to Rayna during her recovery, and suggests she “leave the past behind.” Though, it sounds like his past may be creeping up on him.

All in all, it was a great start to the new season. What did you think?

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