Relationship Recap(s): The Deacon Factor on Nashville 

Before I even touch upon the complicated and wildly interesting relationships Deacon has with Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, I need to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful (and oh so sexy) Charles Esten. Now, I had to do a little research on him because I couldn’t remember ever seeing him on my TV before. But it turns out he’s been around for years appearing in everything from Party of Five to ER to Big Love. While I don’t remember him from those shows he certainly makes a big impression on Nashville. He looks so comfortable with a guitar in his hand and a song on his lips. He has chemistry with every single woman he’s been paired with on the show. I think he has the most explosive (and complex) chemistry with Rayna, but I also like seeing him with Juliette. Hopefully the sexual part of that pairing is done – don’t get me started on how badly I want to see him with Rayna, and soon – but he has such a great effect on Juliette that I hope that relationship continues as well. Let’s take a closer look at his relationships with both of these women.

Deacon and Rayna

Current Status: Simmering hot to the point of boiling over. These two just have too much chemistry. That elevator scene in “I’ve Been Down That Road Before” was amazing. Well, all the elevator scenes were great, but when Deacon started kissing Rayna? I had to fan myself. Scorching! I love their history. I love their sexual tension. I just love them and really want to see them get together. Now that Teddy has dropped the D bomb, I hope Rayna is really considering all her options.

What the Future Holds: Only the writers know all the answers, but I know what I’d like to see. First, can Rayna’s marriage be saved? Or more importantly, does Rayna want to save her marriage? She wanted to take time apart from Teddy to discover what she wanted and he called her bluff by asking for a divorce. I finally feel like the Teddy storyline is going somewhere kind of interesting. I just don’t think Eric Close and Connie Britton have any chemistry so it was really hard for me to root for them. But the bigger (and much more important) question is this: If Rayna’s marriage is over what does that mean for her and Deacon? Is she ready to give it another try with him? It seems futile to fight fate, and I think she’s fated to be with him. And there will certainly be obstacles. The biggest hurdle I see in their future will come when Rayna has to be honest with Deacon about Maddie’s paternity. I just can’t see him taking that news well. But that’s jumping way ahead. For now I’d be content with them hitting the sheets. I really want these two together and I hope they give it another try. And I’d like to see them sing together as soon as possible.

Juliette and Deacon

Current Status: Recent friends-with-benefits, currently just friends. I’ve loved their relationship from the beginning. I thought I wouldn’t like it when they started sleeping together (maybe out of some loyalty to Rayna), but I think it’s what they both needed at the time. And Juliette needs someone like Deacon in her life. He’s a steadying force for her and I like that he believes in her talent and wants to see her grow into the artist she wants to be. He’s right, she doesn’t need all that flash and noise; it’s distracting. And this relationship is far from one-sided. Juliette was there for Deacon when he seemed to be spinning out of control.  And I think her invitation for Deacon to join her tour was mostly genuine. I’m sure part of her wanted to stick to to Rayna, but a bigger part of her wanted to help her friend.

What the Future Holds: I really want to see these two remain friends. I don’t know how realistic that will be if Deacon and Rayna resume their romantic relationship, but I like the effect they have on each other. Deacon is so good at pushing Juliette out of her comfort zone and making her think about what she wants for her career. If she wants to change or expand her brand, what’s so wrong with that? But most importantly, he does not put up with her sh*t. She’s so used to getting her way, but with Deacon she has to work for his approval and I think it makes her a better musician and a better person. And Juliette isn’t afraid to show Deacon her softer side. He really needed someone when he was close to relapsing and she was there for him. I hope they continue to collaborate musically. And I hope they continue to challenge each other. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Nashville airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.