Nashville Review: The Storm Has Just Begun (Season 3 Episode 19) NASHVILLE - "The Storm Has Just Begun" - The brightest stars of Nashville have gathered in support of Teddy's music education initiative, "Note By Note," where Juliette plans her return to the spotlight - and Layla finds herself thrust into it - alongside Jade St. John. At the gala, Rayna, Deacon, Maddie and Daphne get ready to take the stage and perform, but before they can, Deacon receives the call he's been waiting for containing some life-changing news, on "Nashville," airing WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Mark Levine) CHRIS CARMACK, WILL CHASE, CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Nashville Review: The Storm Has Just Begun (Season 3 Episode 19)

Amanda Coyne Nashville, Reviews

The title of this week’s episode of Nashville says it all: “The Storm Has Just Begun.” If you were hoping Deacon’s liver transplant would be uneventful, you’re out of luck. Read on for the good and bad. Spoilers ahead!

Let’s start with the bad this time, since that’s how the episode opens:

The bad:

  • Product placement — the episode kicks off with Christina (fine, Jade. I still don’t like that name) and Luke touring the Country Music Hall of Fame. As much as I’d love to see the place, it rings like an advertisement. Awkward dialogue and all.
  • Stalker Gunnar — Gunnar is still not giving up. I know this is supposed to seem sweet, but he’s getting real annoying. He even inserts himself into important family moments. I think The Triple Exes (double exes?) need to break up already.
  • Teddy is a ticking time bomb — everyone is still into Teddy and his big fundraiser, Note by Note, brings out all the big stars. I guess the feds are waiting until after the event to strike? I can’t handle thinking about how bad this is going to be for the girls. I need Teddy to come clean.
  • Hot doctor — That pesky little conflict of interest is back. Scarlett and Hot Doc are getting more serious, but he is still Deacon’s doctor. Would a young physician really embrace that risk? I find this storyline hard to believe.

JONATHAN JACKSON, HAYDEN PANETTIERE

The good:

  • Juliette drama — Juliette gets back from LA to find her mother-in-law visiting. Juliette announces that she is going to Teddy’s event and basically ignores Avery when he says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Luckily, mom gives some great advice and Avery goes to the event after all. He is an amazing husband.
  • More Juliette drama — Jade and Layla are becoming besties and Juliette is not having it. She reverts right back to her old mean girl ways (complete with snarky comments in the ladies room). She seems to have underestimated Jade, though. In the auction that Juliette planned to use as her comeback (by winning a live performance) Jade outbids her and Layla gets to perform instead. I can’t wait to see what Juliette’s next move is. You know this diva drama is going to be epic.
  • Dream couple — When Juliette continues to behave badly at the event, Avery calls her out. Juliette admits that she is having a hard time with motherhood and Avery, of course, is understanding. I just love them as a couple.
  • Daphne — the whole family is slated to perform at the event, but when Deacon gets the call that they’ve found a liver, everyone but Daphne rushes to the hospital. In a rare moment of sweetness, Teddy asks Luke to step in. Daphne and Luke take the stage together and it is seriously adorable. More Daphne, please!
  • Scandal and romance — Luke and Jade really hit it off at the event, and end up going back to her hotel together. Will they be the new Nashville power couple? Is Christina going to be a permanent cast member? I hope so.

Of course, the biggest event this week is Deacon getting a liver. Except, he doesn’t. This is such a roller coaster ride! At first, it looks like he won’t be able to go into surgery, because he has a fever. But then things seem to be okay and he is prepped for the transplant.

At the last minute, however, the liver turns out to be bad, and Deacon leaves the hospital more hopeless than ever. Although it’s heart-wrenching, I like that this storyline isn’t over just yet.

The episode ends with Rayna praying for help being strong. We cut back and forth between Rayna crying in the hospital chapel and Juliette silently crying in bed. I feel like Nashville is getting back to its roots by focusing on our two leading ladies struggling to manage life and fame. With less side stories and distractions, this episode feels more like the Nashville I love.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nashville? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to add your rating!

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Nashville airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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