Nashville Review: Can’t Let Go (Season 4 Episode 1)
Whew. Okay, it took me awhile to remember everything that was going on last season on Nashville so I could follow along with the season premiere, “Can’t Let Go.” But I think I liked it. Spoiler alert!
Waiting for Deacon – I thought they’d make us wait a bit longer to know who died at the end of last season’s finale… but four minutes into the episode Deacon appears. And he’s alive. A month has passed and Beverly is in a coma. So… no one actually died. I feel kinda cheated by this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Deacon is alive. I just thought the suspense would have lasted a bit longer. We also, by the end of the episode, learn that Beverly is slowly waking up from her coma. I guess it was just time for that storyline to end.
Something is really, really wrong – A storyline that doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon is Juliette’s. Her movie is out to rave reviews and her new album is about to drop. From the outside she’s got it all. But on the inside? Her crazy meltdown is still going strong. She’s pretty much up to all of her old tricks: tequila shots, random bimbo friends, rude comments, and diva-level demands. Avery, on the other hand, is living the less glamorous life back at home with his parents… and the baby.
Deep down, though, Juliette knows she needs help. In a moment of weakness she calls Rayna (of all people – anyone else feel like this was a little forced?) crying, so Rayna, naturally, flies straight away to talk to her. But by the time she gets there Juliette’s all oops I butt dialed you. And I’m all That was a waste of a private jet fuel.
Scarlett is in love? – First of all, why are Scarlett and Hot Doc living together if they have yet to say I love you?! That makes zero sense to me. Of course, Scarlett is living a lie anyway. She wants to love Hot Doc, but she really loves Gunnar. Despite the fact that Gunnar seems like a totally reasonable person, Scarlett is all I’m out of control with you! Hot Doc makes me feel safe! when they accidentally make out… again. I need Scarlett to get it together. Instead of doing so, she marches back to Hot Doc and tells him she loves him. That should fix it for sure.
Will has facial hair drama – After coming out in a press conference Will is on media restriction. He takes that as an open invitation to not shower or shave for days on end. But Kevin has had enough and puts his foot down so Will shaves and then takes him to dinner. Of course, Will used to be such a ladies man, so some girl he slept with sees him and yells at him for being a liar. Kevin decides to take Will somewhere less judgmental, so they go to a gay bar. But, Will freaks out and runs off. Something about Will just bothers me. I want to like his character, but I just can’t. I think it’s because I want him to be nicer to Kevin.
Layla hasn’t changed – Speaking of people I’m having trouble liking, Layla is still a hot mess. She’s convinced that Jeff loves her, which is… really, really dumb. He’s clearly shady, so I’m sure she’s going to learn that again soon. I need something to change with Layla. Maybe it’s her turn to get famous?
Highway to nowhere? – After visiting Juliette, Rayna starts to question her record label. Juliette calls it a ‘vanity label’ so Rayna Googles it… and it turns out Juliette might be on to something. I’m hoping this means we get to see Rayna (and the girls! please the girls!) performing again soon.
Three men and a baby – Despite his wife being a complete lunatic, Avery decides he can’t give up on Nashville just yet and moves back. Despite his wife being a loaded rock star, Avery decides he should move back in with Gunnar and Will. I’m sure they were hoping to have a baby as a roommate.
Steven Tyler – One of the best moments of the episode was when Steven Tyler sang with Juliette. I’m crossing my fingers for lots of celeb cameos this season.
Soap Opera suggestions – All in all, I enjoyed Nashville’s season premiere. It was drenched in drama, but I kinda loved it. The show is really becoming a love to hate it kinda situation for me. The stories border on the absurd, but a part of me is hoping that they get even more outlandish. In fact, just in case one of the writers is reading this, I’d like to suggest some potential drama for the season. I think a natural disaster of some kind would be pretty epic. Maybe a tornado? Or maybe baby Cadence should open her own recording studio? Or a sequined dress shop? The possibilities really are endless.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Nashville? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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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