Nashville Review: How Can I Help You Say Goodbye? (Season 4 Episode 3)
I have to be honest, I might be the one saying goodbye. I don’t know if I’m going to keep watching Nashville after this week’s episode “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye?”. Parts of it are engaging, but it’s so much of the same storyline again and again. Spoilers ahead.
Juliette is still a train wreck with a heart of gold – I don’t really have a problem with Juliette’s breakdown continuing but I am annoyed that she keeps having mini moments of hesitation. I feel like this story isn’t committing one way or the other and I need it to. When she left and changed her number last week I though she was going to commit to the wild path. But again this week she’s having mixed feelings, especially after Luke gives her some advice. Also, I don’t believe that Avery is going to divorce her. Not when the only thing that calms Cadence down is the lullaby they recorded together (I have to roll my eyes at this). I think what is bothering me is that she’s partying a lot and avoiding her family, but she has so many lucid moments where it doesn’t seem like she’s actually having a breakdown. It’s confusing.
Deacon hasn’t grown – Just as I suspected, last week was setting us up for Beverly’s death. I did not suspect, however, that the choice of keeping her on or taking her off life support would fall on Scarlett’s shoulders. I think she made the right choice to let go, but Deacon doesn’t. Despite how many times he’s apologized to his loved ones for exactly this kind of behavior, he still handles this crisis so, so poorly. I can’t believe that he’s mad at Scarlett or that he doesn’t come to say goodbye with her. Also, where was everyone else? Hot Doc? Rayna? Gunnar? Why does no one hold Scarlett’s hand while she does this horrible, emotionally draining thing? Not okay.
Gunnar is still in the shadows – Gunnar does show his face, however. And the will-they-won’t-they drama continues. I appreciate that he is trying to be supportive of Scarlett, but I need them to decide to be together. Hot Doc (whose name I am flatly refusing to learn) is clearly wrong for her and it’s taking way too long for that to be decided. I feel like he should have been a two-episode character.
Will is still conflicted – Will is also still unsure of how to feel about his life. A few country artists confront him for failing to use his platform to combat homophobia in the industry but all he does is get mad like he always does. I need to see some growth from him too.
The only character who did seem to grow this week was the last one I would have expected. After finally agreeing to see his girls, Teddy realizes that he needs to plead guilty. This was really the only part of this week’s episode that I appreciated.
I realized this week that it’s not the soap opera-y drama that is turning me off to this show. It’s that it’s stagnant. All of the main characters seem to be in a rut. Nothing is happening with Rayna. Juliette is teetering on (but not committing to) a breakdown. Gunnar and Scarlett can’t decide what to do. Will can’t decide what to do. Deacon can’t show some emotional intelligence. And all of this has been happening for several episodes now. Something needs to change.
What do you think of this week’s episode of Nashville? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
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