Nashville “My Heart Would Know” 

And just like that Juliette’s change of tune turns pitchy. When we first met Jay Hernandez‘s Dante in “Dear Brother,” he seemed like he was going to be good for Juliette. Much like Deacon, he wouldn’t let Juliette play her normal games, or get away with anything. There was a palpable sexual tension that made things very interesting between them as well. But I thought Dante took his job as a sober companion more seriously. He was doing such great work with Jolene, and later Juliette. But in “My Heart Would Know,” he completely abandons Jolene. I guess once you’re pulled into Juliette’s orbit you show your true intentions – whether they be for good for ill. Now that Dante’s her manager, he should really stop sleeping with Juliette. Well, he shouldn’t have started sleeping with her. And because he’s such a good yes man (and a great businessman), he might be sticking around for a while. I really hope it doesn’t take Juliette that long to open her eyes and see his true colors. 

Lamar’s Up To No Good

He wants a piece of the action on that piece of land and he’s not above blackmail (or really anything else) to get what he wants. So when he discovers that it was Kimberly Williams-Paisley‘s Peggy Kenter who leaked information to the tabloids about Rayna and Teddy’s divorce, he’s got the perfect piece of leverage. I’m not a big fan of Teddy’s relationship with Peggy, but it never occurred to me that Peggy would do something like this. Yes, she attempted suicide earlier this season so I guess I should’ve known she was capable of anything. But didn’t she realize that the tabloid story would not only hurt Teddy and Rayna, but that it would also hurt his kids? I’m curious to see how Teddy will handle this knowledge.

Deacon Gives Stacey a Key

That key represents so much. I wasn’t sure I liked it when Deacon handed it over so quickly and without any pomp and circumstance, but it is kind of nice to see him move on (or at least try to move on) from Rayna. Yes things are moving fast, but Deacon had been waiting around a long time (just like Teddy did) for Rayna to make up her mind. Now he seems to be serious about seizing the moment. And even though I’m sure living on the road is hard on any musician, I can’t imagine Deacon giving up touring to settle down and make a living in Nashville. Even though he told Susan Misner‘s Stacey that’s what he wants, I don’t think it (this relationship or his willingness to stay local) will last for long.

Rayna’s More Like Her Mother Than She Ever Knew

When Lamar has a heart attack, Rayna leaves the tour and takes her girls home to be closer to her father. Even with him lying in that hospital bed, their relationship still remains as tense and difficult as it ever was. But during the course of her vigil at the hospital, Rayna learns a few hard truths about her parents. It was JD Souther‘s Watty who was the other man interfering in her parents marriage. I got that the second Lamar saw him in the hall and flipped out, but I’m glad Watty finally came clean to Rayna about it. Of course Tandy knew this whole time and chose not to tell Rayna, but with good reason. Rayna’s mama just wanted to break free the night she crashed her car. Her bags were packed. She was definitely leaving. Maybe this knowledge can help Rayna forge a relationship with Lamar. They were at odds when she was growing up and Rayna feels like they missed their life together.

Gunnar Urges Scarlett To Sign That Contract

I knew Gunnar wasn’t jealous of Scarlett’s success and, as he has to remind her, he’s not Avery. The reason he’s so upset is because Scarlett chose to keep such an important piece of news from him for so long. Things seem to be going so well between them, so this secret is a big deal. And in addition to that, Gunnar has no interest in writing or performing since his brother’s death. Chris Carmack‘s Will steps in as Scarlett’s duet partner on stage at Scarlett’s celebration party, but he’s starting to rub me the wrong way. He seems too eager to latch onto any part of Scarlett’s success or Gunnar’s talent, but I’ll reserve my judgement for now. Will’s very dangerous joyride with Gunnar is also a strike against him. In any case, it was nice to see Gunnar with a guitar in his hand and a song to sing at the end of the episode.

Jolene Will Do Almost Anything to Get Her Daughter’s Attention

Sylvia Jefferies‘ Jolene shouldn’t have to fight so hard for some of Juliette’s time and she isn’t above acting out to get it. I know I wasn’t the only one at least a little creeped out by Jolene’s pass at Dante. She suspected something was going on between him and her daughter and had it almost immediately confirmed. But at the same time, I don’t think Jolene should have to share Dante. He was brought on tour to help Jolene maintain her sobriety, but he’s too busy helping Juliette with her brand to waste his time on what he was actually hired to do. So I think it’s a great idea for Jolene to leave the tour, get her own place in Nashville, and find another sober companion (female this time). Hopefully this little episode doesn’t set Juliette’s relationship with her mom back too far.

Avery the Roadie

Why is it so satisfying to see Avery treated so poorly? Maybe because he’s getting his just desserts? After being such a bad boyfriend to Scarlett and such a crap friend and front man to his former band mates, it’s kind of poetic  to see Avery brought so low. He can’t get a gig in Nashville to save his life because he’s been blacklisted all over town. So he takes a job because he needs the money, even if it’s as a roadie for Juliette Barnes. And when he sees something he shouldn’t and gets fired for it, Deacon comes to his rescue. If Deacon is fighting this hard for him, I’d like to believe there’s something deep down inside Avery that’s worth redeeming. Of course, Deacon might be fighting this fight just to push Dante’s buttons. I’m okay with that too.

Favorite (and most heartbreaking) line of the episode:

Deacon: “Well, I just heard something, you know, in your voice in that message. You just… sounded like you needed…me.”

If you aren’t at least a little bit in love with Deacon, something’s wrong with you.

Nashville airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.