Nashville Review: ‘Til the Pain Outwears the Shame (Season 4 Episode 2)

I’m so mad right now. Nashville Season 4 Episode 2, “‘Til the Pain Outwears the Shame,” almost goes somewhere I really want it to. But no.

Spoilers ahead.

I’m getting pretty tired of the same old stories on repeat, but I love Maddie and Daphne. There is a brief moment during their talent show performance (which is amazing, of course) where Rayna, who desperately needs a big act to save her label, seems to have an ‘ah-ha’ moment.

It seems like for sure she is finally realizing how big they could be as an act. But she’s thinking about the random person who writes the song.

Ugh. I really don’t want to watch her woo, sign, and then have some predictable problem with another ‘famous’ act. Plus, we are seeing way less of Maddie and Daphne now that the Teddy story has stalled (due to prison). Why, by the way, are we not getting more on that? It’s like he died.

If Rayna can’t see that Maddie and Daphne are the answer, then she at least needs to recognize that Layla could be big. Why is everyone ignoring her? Her story is getting boring too, but I feel like it can really take off if she becomes a bigger act. She’s got everything it takes! Come on, people!

Initially, I was also frustrated with the turn in Juliette and Avery’s relationship. I mean, one minute she’s partying on her private jet and the next she’s crying on a morning talk show and rushing back to tell them she loves them. I mean, so sudden! I’m glad that she up and leaves (on that same private jet) and changes her number. I am not ready for the Juliette breakdown to be over.

Another frustrating element of this week’s episode is how heavy-handed things get with the apologies and ‘I love you’ speeches. I mean, way to just tell us that Beverly is about to die (which is, I’m pretty sure, how this is turning out).

Rayna’s plane stunt is also way heavy-handed. How does she know what seat the rockstar guy is going to be in? Why do TV shows always make drinking on flights look fun (it’s not!)? Why does it all work out just way too perfectly? I do not buy it.

Speaking of, can we just stop with the Scarlett/Gunnar thing? The photoshoot drama, for one, is so weird. The picture isn’t that bad. I don’t get it.

I also don’t get what Hot Doc’s deal is. Does he actually work? And does he actually think talking crap about music is the way to Scarlett’s heart? I’m so confused about all of this. 

One thing I do appreciate is Will getting dropped from Luke’s label. I don’t like that, but I do like that the show is going there because stuff like that probably happens all the time. My heart is breaking for him.

I feel like Nashville has some potential to change things up this season, but I’m worried that instead we are just going to get more of the same.

What do 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.