Nashville Recap: That’s the Way Love Goes (Season 3 Episode 15)

Immediate spoilers ahead.

Ah, finally! This week on Nashville, “That’s the Way Love Goes,” Deacon tells Rayna that he has cancer and has six months to live unless he can get a transplant. Who else is hoping that Rayna’s going to have the liver he needs?!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, a party.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her induction, The Grand Old Opry decides to throw a party in Rayna’s honor. What’s even more exciting is that Rayna decides she wants to use this as an opportunity for her girls to perform on the Opry stage. They are thrilled.

Well, Maddie is thrilled but also upset. She wants Deacon to be there. In fact, she wants him to play with them. She doesn’t understand why they can’t just get back together already. I’m sorta with her on that one. Rayna might be too, because she ends up calling him and asking him to join them. In true Cowboy Deacon form he gives some vague answer about considering it (the party, by the way, is tomorrow… so I guess the Opry doesn’t care about rehearsals?).

Sadie, on the other hand, definitely can’t be there because she’s got a GMA interview lined up. She’s excited about this until the producers call her and make it clear that they hope to discuss her divorce and lawsuit on the show.

At first, Sadie is against discussing this part of her life, but later she is inspired by a story about a murdered woman she sees on the evening news. At the interview Sadie not only addresses the lawsuit, but also shares on national television that her ex-husband abused her. We get a shot of him watching the interview, so you can bet he’s going to retaliate somehow.

I’m proud of Sadie, but also worried about what’s next.

Scarlett is also preoccupied because she’s got a date with the hot doctor. They go to a fancy restaurant, but all she can talk about is Deacon’s cancer. This obviously ruins the date. Scarlett is cracking under the pressure of being the only one who knows about Deacon’s secret and she lets him have it later that night.

In other Scarlett news, she, Avery, and Gunnar get a gig opening for Rascall Flatts. This is a big deal, but they don’t even have a band name!

Luckily, Scarlett apologizes to hot doc and they agree to go out again. She invites him to the gig and when he shows up he says (to Gunnar and Avery) “So you’re the exes?” (Side note: I kinda forgot that Scarlett dated both of them). And boom, they’ve got a band name. The Exes play a great show and get invited to play the next six shows with Rascall Flatts. They accept, but I’m a little worried that Juliette’s baby might get in the way of this plan.

Back at the party, Cowboy Deacon shows and plays a song with the girls. These girls could seriously be actual musicians. They are so good. He also surprises Rayna on stage and they do a duet. It’s super romantic and reminds us how good they are together. Just when I think they are finally going to get back together, Deacon runs off stage and leaves the Opry altogether.

Also present at the party is Teddy, but he misses his daughters performing, because he’s backstage getting told by the prostitute that her house is being watched. Looks like Teddy’s still in trouble.

Luke is also at the party. We actually get to see him get a bit emotional while watching Rayna, and his son comforts him. I hated Luke less this episode.

In the end, Rayna finds Deacon and confronts him about leaving her again. He breaks down and tells her about the cancer. First she slaps him, and then she cries in his arms.

For the first time in awhile, I’m pretty invested in watching next week’s episode of Nashville. I’m excited to see how Rayna and Deacon behave now that everyone knows what’s going on.

What did you think of “That’s the Way Love Goes”? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Nashville airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

Amanda Coyne

Amanda is an associate editor for Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer, teacher, and pop culture enthusiast with a love for 30 Rock and The Mindy Project. She is also the proud mother of two orange cats. Follow @amandarcoyne