Most primetime soap operas focus on drama, drama, drama. While Nashville certainly has a lot of it, the show also has a lot of heart. At the center of each whirlwind episode are relatable characters thrown into overly dramatic scenarios. If you get past all of the glitz and glam, you’ll make the connection to each and every one of them, and that’s what makes the show special.
“Move It on Over” contains a lot of dramatic moments, but it’s the small moments that really carry the show. In the midst of Juliette’s mother going on another binge, it isn’t the kicking and screaming that creates magic on the screen. Instead, it was Deacon coming to the young starlet’s side to talk to the addict and reveal a lot about himself. Deacon’s former addiction is no secret, but hearing him reveal what he went through was one of the sincerest moments in the show’s short run so far. Deacon was the centerpiece of the episode this week and if the show is smart, and I have a hunch that it is, it will continue to explore him as a character and not just as a second fiddle to both Juliette and Rayna.
Another tiny moment comes during a fight between Avery and Gunnar. Avery believes that Gunnar and Scarlett are more than songwriting partners after playing backup guitar on the duo’s love song they’re trying to sell. He jealously steals the show by throwing in a guitar solo, infuriating Gunnar. The rawness of their spat tied the developing plot together nicely, and seeing Scarlett’s face afterwards made you realize how stupid guys can be sometimes. She’s sick and tired of her boyfriend thinking she doesn’t love him anymore. But I’m a little sick of the show making Scarlett such a damsel in distress. Why does she need to prove she loves Avery? She seems so desperate to make things work instead of telling him he’s acting like a baby and needs to grow up. Scarlett is one of the best characters on the show, but the writers need to give her a backbone and allow her to stand up for herself.
I would have said the same thing about Rayna, but luckily she takes her destiny into her own hands this week. Sure, she films a cheesy beauty commercial, but it’s of her own accord. She hates that she’s doing it, but knows she needs to. And what does she do to ensure she never has to do something she doesn’t like again? She decides to start writing her own songs with Deacon so that she can release another album. Rayna’s the strong woman Scarlett needs to be, and I can’t wait for their paths to finally cross. It has to happen sooner or later, and I hope it’ll be in the next couple of weeks.
The one plot that I really don’t care for is Teddy’s run for mayor and his secret dark past. I think last week I was excited from some drama to blow up, but it just drags the other plots down. It feels like it is just being used to eventually create drama for the sake of causing drama. But does Nashville need to seek out new ways to make the already overly dramatic show more dramatic? I’d say no. Just focus on the country music aspect of the city and all will be well.