03x21 - Is the Better Part Over

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Nashville". Aired: October 2012 to July 2018.*
Watch/Buy Amazon


"Nashville" begins with a fading country music star coming into conflict with a rising teen star, then follows the lives of country music musicians.
Post Reply

03x21 - Is the Better Part Over

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on "Nashville"...

I'm going to tweet this. Oh, sweetie.

No.

It's important to control your public image.

Where's my baby brother?!

Hi, Beverly.

I got liver cancer.

He needs a liver transplant.

The answer is no.

I'm hopin' that's gonna change your mind.

They're coming for you, Teddy.

The last thing I wanna do is see you lose everything.

I'm free?

I just need you to do somethin' for me.

[Amplified voice] This is Juliette Barnes, and I want y'all to know that I'm back.

What's the "Register" say?

"Juliette Barnes hasn't skipped a b*at.

expl*sive, energetic, back in a big way."

We hit another 10 cities like this, it's gonna start lookin' a hell of a lot like a tour.

We'll hit New York, we'll hit L.A.

You think maybe we can all get a little sleep before you conquer the world?

Yes.

Please?

Yes! I'm sorry.

It just feels so good gettin' my career back on track.

Mm-hmm.

Doin' it with my husband.

[Cadence coos]

And your baby?

Good little traveler that she is.

Mm-hmm.

You happy?

Yeah. It's starting to feel more like my old self.

You know what else I kinda feel like?

What?

Becomin' a member of a certain club.

Care to join?

Hey, Beverly.

I know it's been three days and I know you're... doin' some thinkin', but I was hopin' to maybe talk to you.

[Knocks]

I'm available if you wanna talk about anything.

All right, thanks. Bye. [Touch screen clicks]

They're here.

Uh, just give me a minute, okay?

Yeah. I'll be right there.

[Sighs]

The offer just came in from Big Machine.

So that's four? [Chuckles]

I'm pretty sure we'll get one from here, too.

I mean, Rayna's signed Scarlett once already.

I mean, she was originally interested in us as a duo.

Well, then, she gets what she's always wanted.

And she's practically family to you, right?

Yeah.

Is it just me or are you not making eye contact?

Hey, y'all.

Hey.

[Laughs] How are you?

So good to see you.

How you doin'?

Hangin' in there. How you doin'?

Okay.

Good.

Hey, Gunnar.

Miss Jaymes, always a pleasure.

Lovely to see you.

You, too.

Noel, great job with Sadie.

Terrific work so far with The Exes.

Yeah. The Exes.

What was it? Two years ago?

Since I first thought y'all were great.

And we got to work together for a while, and I think that the time you took off was really important, and I think the music is just better than ever.

And I know I'm not the only one.

How many offers you guys got?

Four.

Bucky: Wow.

Well deserved, but I believe that this is the right place for you two, and... and I've known that for a long time.

This is the place where you're gonna have the artistic freedom that you want, the integrity that you want, no 360 deal.

No 360 is unheard of for baby artists.

Well, it's the same deal Scarlett had.

I mean, Rayna doesn't need to take a bite out of touring and merch.

It's hard enough to make a living in music these days, right?

That's amazing. Thank you, guys.

I believe very strongly this is the place for you, for both of you.

Why don't we talk a little bit about where you guys see The Exes goin' and how we can help you get there?

Coercion, embezzlement, solicitation.

We are looking at 3 to 10 years, maybe more.

I can't go to jail, Dash.

If you're willin' to cooperate with us, then you won't have to.

How well do you know state senator Richard Stern?

Only in passing.

He's been on our radar for a while.

We were building a case against him for his dealings with Wyatt lndustries, but when Lamar d*ed, so did our hopes of prosecuting Stern.

I still don't see where I fit in.

We need an inside man wearing a wire.

You offer to pick up where his deals with Lamar left off.

You work with the senator, while you work for us.

A wire?

I'm offering you a way out, Teddy.

No sentence, no scandal.

Now, from where I sit, that's gettin' off easy.

I barely know him.

How am I supposed to get into business with him?

I'd imagine the same way you managed to embezzle half a million dollars from the city of Nashville.

Luke's got me doing 10 different events the next couple of days, but it'll be good for my album when the time comes.

Did you hear that?

It was the sound of vacation dying.

[Both chuckle]

I had a really great time being away with you.

Yeah, so did I.

But... we're back now in the real world.

And in public, I know.

We'll make up for it in private. Later.

[Chuckles]

[Trunk closes]

And the hottest ticket in Europe right now has got to be Jade St. John's tour.

Tracey: That's right.

Meghan Trainor has joined as her opener since reality show starlet Layla Grant was abruptly dropped from the bill.

Charissa: Yeah, no word as to why, but rumor has it...


[TV turns off]

[Remote control clatters]

I can't believe I was so drunk, I don't even remember tweeting that picture.

I'm such an idiot.

No argument here.

Hey, you're supposed to make me feel better in a time of crisis.

And whose fault is that, huh?

Mine. Okay? It's my fault.

I was the one who wanted to work with Jade, you said she'd fire me, and then she did.

Are you happy now?

Happy?

Happy? You're my only client, Layla, so no, I'm not.

[Sighs] But...

I may be able to get you out of this hole that you've dug for yourself.

You'll call Jade and apologize for me?

Always the wrong instinct. No.

By calling her out.

You're gonna be the Taylor Swift to her Katy Perry.

Meaning what?

Meaning Twitter got you into this mess... and now it's gonna get you out of it.

[Cadence cooing]

Baby's changed.

Thanks. I'm sorry.

Yeah.

Glenn: We're on final approach.

Good, as soon as we land, we gotta start plannin' this next show.

Rayna wants to see you.

She wants to discuss this rogue concert strategy of yours.

Asked if she could get a couple minutes of your time.

Bitch gets five minutes, tops.

[Music playing in headphones]

Is it me, or is her fuse a little shorter than usual?

She's just tired.



That was the best meeting so far.

Hands down.

Rayna's offering great numbers, full creative control.

Let's... let's make it official before she changes her mind.

I don't think we should stop lookin' yet.

Uh, did you miss the part where Rayna said we didn't have to sign a 360 deal?

No one else is gonna offer that, Scarlett.

But why you didn't tell us before that that was your old deal?

We don't know if we're not gonna get the non-360 deal with anybody else if we don't meet with them. No.

How many of your bands just starting out have a "no 360" deal?

Actually, that...

It's not about other bands.

It's about The Exes, of which I'm half.

My vote counts.

Yeah, I'm the other half and so does mine.

I say we choose Highway 65.

Okay, maybe we should just...

Okay, if we can't agree, we keep lookin'.

[Sighs]

Okay, well, if we can't keep lookin', we just stop.

Oh, fine, yeah, 'cause who needs an awesome record deal these days?

Oh, wait, we do!

♪ Girl, you thought I was gone when you left me ♪
♪ but it's gonna be hard to forget me ♪
♪ keep tellin' yourself that it's over ♪
♪ the only over I'll be is over your shoulder ♪
♪ I ain't gonna fade away with the tail lights ♪
♪ down with the moon, baby, up with the sunrise ♪
♪ any song, any scene, any old side street ♪
♪ when you think you're rid of me then I'll be ♪
♪ on any sunny summer white sand beach ♪
♪ any bed when you just can't fall asleep ♪
♪ anywhere the road you're on might lead ♪
♪ baby, I'm on it ♪

[Cheers and applause]

How y'all doin'? Thank you, thank you.

Luke: Whoo!

[Amplified voice] Y'all, listen, if I'm not careful, I'm gonna end up being his openin' act.

Y'all give it up again for the very talented Mr. Will Lexington.

Thank you, Luke, and thank you.

Great job, Will.

Good job, guys.

Thank y'all for joining us today.

Uh, Wheelin' Dealin' Records has been a dream of mine since... well, uh, since my old label went belly up.

But, uh, seriously...

Dad.

Hello, son.

Hey, sweet girl. Got your message.

I'm real sorry you and Daphne can't be at the show tonight, too, but I am glad you're having fun in California.

Give your aunt Tandy a big hug from me.

I love you.

[Beep]

Man: ... A musician's musician, as they say.

A real legend here in our town.

Woman: Yeah, that man didn't just write country songs, he lived 'em.

Apparently, a liver transplant fell through, and the word is, without one, his cancer is terminal.

But he's still feeling well enough to play tonight at the Bluebird Cafe, though it could well be one of the last appearances he ever makes.

It is just so sad, isn't it?

Deacon Claybourne, wherever you are out there, our prayers are with you, buddy.

Amen.


[Telephones ringing]

[Cell phone vibrating]

[Exhales deeply]

Hey, what's goin' on?

It seems like the phones are just ringin' off the hook.

News just broke about Deacon's cancer.

How?

I have no idea. Maybe somebody at the hospital leaked it.

Um, this just came to you from Natchez.

Thanks.

[Telephone rings in distance]

[Envelope rips]



[phones ringing in distance]

[Distorted voice] Juliette's here.

[Phones continue ringing]

[Ring]

The queen has summoned, and here I am.

How can I help you?

I wanted to talk to you about rooftop concerts.

Which I've been paying for myself.

Well, actually, Highway 65 has gotten fines and complaints from every city.

That is not true.

We have not gotten a fine from Chicago.

And everything else, I will cover.

Just tell me what I owe you, and I will write you a check.

Problem solved.

That's actually not... that wasn't the point that we were trying to make.

The point is that now the world knows I'm not one of those stars that's just gonna retire because I had a baby.

[Cell phone rings]

[Ringing stops]

Taking care of yourself isn't retiring.

The point is that I'm back, okay? In a big way.

[Cell phone ringing]

And I've been doing everything myself.

[Ringing stops]

And I don't feel like I've gotten any support from this label whatsoever.

[Cell phone ringing]

I can't...

You can't... What? You can't give me what you promised or...

[Phone continues ringing]

[Whispers] I can't do this right now.

Okay, professional.

She has a lot going on in her personal life right now.

You know what? So do I.

And I am still workin' my cute little ass off, okay?

I am drummin' up my own publicity that's great, Juliette.

But, you know, none of that means anything unless you have an album to put behind it.

Okay, fine.

You can tell Rayna that I will have a finished album to her in two days.

And you can also tell her royal highness that she better not walk out on me when I deliver it.

[Sighs]



What are you doin' here?

Well, I was in town on business.

Saw you were playin', thought I'd stop by.

Really? After all these years...

Who we got here?

Oh, yeah, this is, uh, this is my father.

Friends call me Bill. I'm a big fan of yours, Mr. Wheeler.

Oh, no, call me Luke.

Uh, your son tell you he's the first artist I signed to my label?

No, he did not.

Well, this one's goin' places, trust me.

I always knew he would.

Hey, I tell you what. I'm throwin' a party tonight for all the big radio programmers.

Why don't you join us if you can?

Well, I don't wanna impose.

No, you wouldn't be at all.

It was pleasure to meet you, Bill.

You bet.

I'll see you for sure tonight.



Well, he seems like a nice guy, doesn't he?

I think you should leave.

I mean, I... I don't know what you're doing here.

What you think...

Son, please, just hear me out.

I've come a long way.

[Door opens]

Oh, hey.

Heard the news. Been tryin' to call you.

I turned off my cell phone. Took the landline off the hook.

You wanna cancel the Bluebird tonight?

No.

Not the mood was hopin' to play to, but...

I gotta face the music sometime.

You still do a couple songs with me?

Yeah.

All right.

You wanna talk about it?

No. [Sighs]

I'd rather talk about you and your label search.

How'd that meeting with Highway 65 go?

It was good. Real good. Uh, Rayna's great. I just...

I don't wanna rush anything.

Everything all right with you and Gunnar?

It's hard bein' in a duo and you just cannot get along.

Yeah, well, you don't gotta marry him.

Just gotta sing with him.

He talked to me! Micah talked to me.

What? That... that's great. How'd it go?

Well, I mean, he was really mad at first, but we talked, and we cried and... I'm gonna go see him.

Really? Your folks said that's okay?

Yeah, I mean, they're still really angry, too, but at least they agreed to open the door when I get there.

That's amazing.

Yeah. [Laughs]

[Cell phone rings]

[Chuckles awkwardly]

[Ring]

Sorry.

Noel, hey.

We really need to talk.

Yeah, look, man, I... I am so sorry about what happened this morning.

I don't know what Scarlett's problem is.

I don't think it's her problem. It's a band problem.

This is the third incarnation of it in less than six months.

Well, yeah, that's... that's only because...

I don't care about the reasons why.

All I care about is saving what I have because that's the band with offers on the table.

So either this band works, or I'm gonna have to move on.

People won't like me for that.

What are you talkin' about? They're gonna love you for it.

You're gonna have a million followers by the end of the day.

Don't you want that?

I feel bad. Okay?

I don't wanna bash Jade. She's my friend.

No.

She's not. She's a diva, who fired you for no cause.

Give it back.

Do you want me to save your career or not? Hmm?

Go ahead. Take a seat, Albert.

Keep having me over here like this, and I'll start thinkin' we're more than acquaintances.

I need you to facilitate an introduction for me with, uh, Senator Stern.

Isn't that something your secretary could arrange?

I'd like to keep it off the books, uh, given the subject matter.

And what subject might that be?

I understand the senator and Lamar had a business arrangement.

With your help, I'd like to pick up where they left off... for a piece of the pie, of course.

You and me might just be friends after all.

[Telephone rings]

[Cell phone vibrating]

[Ring]

Deacon?

[Ring]

[Cell phone clatters]

[Purse thuds]

You left me on the side of the road with nothin'.

I know that.

I was 17 years old.

I know that, too, and I felt awful about it since the day it happened.

[Train whistle blows, ducks quacking]

How's Mom?

She's fine.

Praying for you to find your way.

Seems her prayers have been answered.

You know, when I see you now, the C.M.A.s, that reality show, performing with Luke Wheeler, married to that nice girl, even if it didn't work out, you've done good. Real good.

I need to go get ready.

Okay.

Take care of yourself, son.

Hey, you should come tonight.

I mean, you did come all this way.



Rayna and Deacon: ♪ our love like the moon ♪
♪ risin' too fast ♪
♪ and fadin' too soon ♪


What's goin' on?

♪ This life will soon be gone ♪

[Crying] Why'd you get sick?!

♪ If we hold on ♪

[Sobbing]

♪ There are kingdoms to keep us apart ♪

[Music stops]

Baby, you said it yourself. We gotta stay positive.

We just gotta live in the...

I'm trying to stay positive, and I'm failing.

[Sighs]

I didn't go to New York the other day.

Where'd you go?

Natchez, Mississippi.

Oh, Ray...

I know, you and Scarlett have already tried talking to Beverly. I just... I don't know.

I don't know why I thought that she would listen to me.

[Scoffs]

You know I wrote out a check for a million dollars.

[Crying] She sent it back all torn up into pieces.

Come on, sit down. Come on.

[Crying]

I just keep tryin' to fix it and then I keep tryin' to fix all those years, you know?

It's just every time I've looked in my future, you've always been in it.

I don't know what I'm gonna do without you.

[Breathes unevenly]

[Both crying]

Hey, have you seen my headphones?

You heard about Deacon? He has terminal cancer.

It's not terminal.

I know it's bad, but he's managing it.

So you already knew?

How come you didn't say anything to me?

I did.

I said something to you in Chicago... Or somethin'.

I'm pretty sure I'd remember that one.

He's gonna be fine.

You know, he's playin' the Bluebird tonight.

I was thinkin' we should go and support him.

Oh, I can't. I have to work. Have you seen my headphones?

Babe, I have not seen your headphones.

I can't believe you're bein' so casual about this.

I'm sorry. I'm not being casual about it.

Rayna demanded that I have an album finished in two days.

Wait, what?

Who the hell does that?

She's awful, okay, I know.

I've got a few rough tracks I have to listen to and see if I even like 'em.

Why don't you go represent both of us at the Bluebird?

And I'll stay here and work and keep the baby.

You sure?

[Whispers] Yeah.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Okay.

Here you go.

Oh, baby. Say hi to Deacon for me.

[Cadence cooing]
I got this.

Hi, great to see you guys.

I saved you a table right up front.

Oh, hey, guys. You're here.

Kiley, this is Scarlett and her friend.

Hi. This is Dr. Caleb Rand.

How do you do?

I do fine, thanks. [Chuckles]

So nice to finally meet the famous Scarlett.

I've heard so much about you.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle.

Oh, it's okay. He's still alive.

Just on the transplant list.

He's taking care of himself, he's got this really strong support system.

I'm sorry, Scarlett, what were you saying before he cut you off?

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I cut you off?

No, you didn't. It's fine.

So this is the famous Bluebird. You and Gunnar met here, right?

Yeah, we did.

So, uh, how did you and Kiley meet?

Uh, we were, uh...

Well, we grew up together. [Chuckles nervously]

So these are programmers, huh?

Oh, yeah.

You gotta wine and dine the people that put you on the radio.

Oh, hell, I'm in the wrong business.

Hey, Bill, good to see you again.

Hope you brought your "A" game.

You gonna be talking to a lot of people tonight.

Oh, I'm ready.

Your son is the future of country music.

Hey.

Hey, Kev.

Hey. Uh, right, Kevin, hey.

Uh, this is my dad. Dad, this is Kevin Bicks.

He's, uh, he's a co-worker of mine.

Co-worker? You two wrote an entire album together.

Kevin is one of the best songwriters in the business.

Well, I just didn't know my dad was gonna be familiar with the music business lingo.

Hey, Luke, they're ready for you.

Excuse me.

I think "songwriter's" pretty self-explanatory.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Lexington.

You, too, Kevin.

♪ Open up a bottle ♪
♪ pour it in a glass ♪
♪ I can make it disappear if I drink real fast ♪

[Cell phone rings]

Hello?

Uh, did I misdial? I thought this was Layla's number.

Yeah, well, she's decided that all business goes through me, so anything you gotta say, say it.

♪ To hide all my... ♪

Okay, well, she's tweeting some pretty incendiary things about Jade St. John right now and Huffpo just picked it up.

They're calling it, "Twitter w*r, country style."

Oh, oh, no, that's that's no good.

Well, I'm glad you agree.

It's not the kind of publicity Highway 65 really goes for.

Layla: I need a few minutes.

Oh, totally. No, I get this.

Look, I'm gonna talk to Layla, tell her to back off. These young artists, they just don't know where to draw the line sometimes, huh?

[Door opens]

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Yeah.

Who was that?

Bucky was just calling to say how happy he is about all the attention you're getting from these tweets.

And you just made the front page of "The Huffington Post."

Really?

Mm-hmm.

Uh, he wasn't mad at all?

There's no such thing as bad publicity, remember?

[Sighs]

You wanna stop being weird toward Kiley, for, like, I don't know, five minutes?

You've been rude to Caleb since he sat down.

Me? He's the one who just... [sighs]

Look, we're bandmates, which means we should be a team, okay?

There's no reason for all this fighting, especially with five offers on the table.

Come on. That's great.

Five offers so far.

Scarlett, why do we wanna keep taking meetings when we've clearly got the best deal in town?

Stop.

So do you know what the story is between those two?

Oh, it's pretty obvious there is a story, huh?

Look, I wanna sign with Highway 65.

Noel wants us to sign with Highway 65.

Okay, when did Noel say that?

Did you have a meetin' without me or something?

No, he called 'cause he's concerned your weird feelings are causing problems.

My weird... you know, to clarify, I don't have any weird feelings.

If there's any weird feelings flying around, they would be yours.

Got some serious lapses in judgment lately.

I've had lapses in judgment?

You're the one who's suddenly all... all fancy, going around pretending to be something you're not.

[Cell phone rings]

[Groans]

[Ring]

Thank you.

Hello?

Hey, Scar, it's me.

Hi.

I don't think I'm gonna make it tonight.

Uh, what's goin' on?

Nothin', I promise.

It's just with, you know, the news breakin' and everybody... knowin', I just... don't wanna have to deal with all that.

You just said it was better to face the music and get it all out.

I know what I said. This is what I'm sayin' now. Okay?

Okay.

Thank you, 'cause I got a favor, too.

A lot of people are gonna be expectin' a show.

I was wonderin' if maybe you and Gunnar could fill in for me?

Hey, Scarlett.

Need to talk to you.

Uh, I think we have talked enough.

He's not coming.

Who's not?

[Whispers] Deacon.

So who's playin'?

The Exes.

[Sighs]

Hey, man, you, uh...

Hell, we had a 6-year lock as reigning champions in the father-son skeet sh**ting competition in our hometown.

Well, y'all both oughta come out to the ranch make sure you still got it.

Well, looks like everyone could use a refill.

Mm.

Yeah?

Same thing?

You bet.

What is all this?

He caught me off guard.

I had to introduce you as somethin'.

This isn't about the co-worker thing.

It's about the fact that your father's here at all.

He just showed up at the event.

What was I supposed to do? Spit in his face?

Mm.

He said he was sorry.

Yeah, well, did he say he changed his mind?

Will, the man told you that he wished you'd never been born, that you're disgusting.

We wrote a song about how he threw you away like trash.

Well, I don't wanna talk about this here.



[Cheers and applause]

Thank you.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

We, uh, we know that you came out tonight to see my uncle Deacon Claybourne, but, uh, he had a few things that were last-minute he really had to take care of.

[Audience groans]

I know, I know.

I'm sorry, uh, but my partner and I are gonna do our very best to make him proud, if that's all right with you.

Man & woman: Yeah!


♪ spinning my wheels for too many miles ♪
♪ spending my love like it's going out of style ♪
♪ baby, if you want me ♪
♪ why don't you show me? ♪
♪ This ain't no way to live ♪
♪ something's gotta give ♪
♪ or something's gonna break ♪
♪ I don't know how much more I can take ♪
♪ something's gotta go ♪
♪ or nothing's gonna change ♪
♪ if it ain't me guess I'll be the one to blame ♪
♪ something's gotta give ♪
♪ mmm ♪

You'd never believe they wanted to k*ll each other this morning, huh?

Sounds about right.

Yeah, they're... they're a train wreck offstage, but, damn, they make good music when it counts.



[Door opens and closes]

Hey.

Hey.

Hey, don't you have a show to do?

No, I called it off.

Why?

You know, before this all got out, I was actually pretty excited.

You know, a night to think about something other than bein' sick, but... now that everybody knows...

They're talkin' about me like I'm already a ghost.

You're not a ghost.

Feel like one.

[Inhales deeply, exhales sharply]

Oh, baby.

I want so badly to believe there's gonna be some kind of hail mary pass here, you know?

But...

I don't.

I don't either.

But...

You're still here... with me.

Hey. Come on, we have a show.

"We"?

How long do you expect me to do this?

Till we get what we need.

This is first contact.

All we're tryin' to do is establish a relationship.

Now, you can ask questions if it feels right, but the goal here is not to spook him.

[Sighs] I prefer to just get him talking, get this over with.

Any advice?

That mic tape's not the strongest, so don't sweat.

♪ I... I... I ♪
♪ I'm know I'm free ♪


[Muffled shouting]

♪ but still my hands are tied ♪
♪ behind my back it's like a Mississippi flood ♪


Juliette! Juliette!

[Music stops, Cadence crying]

Hi.

What are you doing? The baby's screaming.

Yeah, I read somewhere that you're supposed to let 'em cry it out, and she'll fall asleep in a few minutes.

Thank you for comin'.

Oh, wait, you're leaving?

Yes, that's why I asked you to come.

I have to go to the studio.

[Cadence continues crying]

[Footsteps depart]

[Sighs]

[Cell phone rings]

Gunnar: ... Special night here at Bluebird...

Emily?

I just got here, and I don't think the baby's been fed or changed in hours.

And Juliette just left for the studio.

What? She said she was gonna stay with the baby.

Well, she didn't.

Avery, I think something's wrong with her.

We have to do something.

I'm coming.

Gunnar: Thank y'all so much. Thank you.

Man: Hey, Deacon!

[Cheers and applause]

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to welcome to the stage, Mr. Deacon Claybourne.

[Cheers and applause]

And Ms. Rayna Jaymes.

[Cheers and whistles]

Yeah!

One more time for The Exes!

[Cheering continues]

Well, I'm sure we missed somethin' pretty special with those two.

Hey, y'all.

Oh, thank you very much.

Well, I can't tell ya, uh, what it feels like to see so many, uh, familiar and carin' faces out there.

You're about the best extended family a guy could have at a time like this.

Music, I think it's safe to say, has been there, uh, for all of us, um, through hard times.

This is a song that, uh, well, we wrote this one a long time ago, huh?

Mm-hmm.

We thought it'd be a good one for tonight.


♪ you haunt me when I fall asleep ♪
♪ you're in every breath I breathe ♪
♪ still hear your footsteps down the hall ♪
♪ and I keep tryin' to pretend ♪
♪ this ache for you is gonna end ♪
♪ but I know better than that now ♪

Both: ♪ so, baby, please ♪
♪ tell me, why don't we ♪
♪ take this time we've wasted ♪
♪ and don't hold back, let's face it ♪
♪ I need you ♪
♪ and, baby, you need me ♪

Oh, go away, Gunnar. I don't wanna fight with you no more.

Good, I don't wanna fight either, okay? I'm sorry.

You are half of the band and if... if you wanna keep taking meetings, I'm fine with that.

No, you're right about Highway 65.

We're not gonna get a better deal than that.

Does that mean you... you do wanna sign?

I don't know.

I already signed there once.

Rayna believe in me, she invested money in me, and I... blew it up.

I'm not gonna do that to her again. I won't.

She needs artists she can count on.

She can count on us.

Really?

Last three days, we've barely spoken to each other.

When we have, it's been to yell at each other.

We're a mess.

No, Scarlett, we're not a mess.

Okay, we're great together, at least, as far as the music's concerned.

The fact is, I don't like Caleb.

All right, you don't like Kiley.

So maybe the key to this is we just focus on what we're good at, which is the music.

Personal lives are off-limits.

I'm willing to give it a try if you are.



Business partners only?

♪ Let's face it, I need you ♪
♪ and baby, you need me ♪
♪ we're all we've been missin' ♪
♪ if we could just stop resistin' ♪
♪ and give in to what's supposed to be ♪
♪ I'll surrender to you ♪
♪ if you surrender to me ♪
♪ I'll surrender to you ♪
♪ if you surrender ♪
♪ to me ♪

♪ ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

[Song ends]

[Cheers and applause]

Can't tell you how much I've prayed for this reunion.

Me, too.

Tonight was better than anything I could've imagined.

I'm glad you were here for it.

I love you, son.



Woman: You doin' okay, hon?

Um, I'll have another one.

Sure thing.

[Jazz music playing]

Mayor Conrad.

Senator, thank you for meeting me.

Please.

Jade... "some people just don't know when to stop."

Layla... "think I'll pass on all the smoke, L.E.D.s, and auto-tune." Ouch.

Does Jade really use auto-tune?

No, but who cares?

Wow, I have to hand it to you.

This morning, I thought my career was over, and now I have a new song recorded, and almost a million Twitter followers, so... [chuckles]

Which... brings me to this.

What is this?

[Clears throat]

A contract.

I can't take the chance of getting cut from the team.

You mean, you need to make sure that I won't leave you like Jade did.

Look, Layla, this isn't all about me, okay?

If we're gonna do this, we both need protection.

"In perpetuity for the life of the career of the artist"?

Yeah, look, if I'm going to work my ass off building you into a superstar, I mean, it seems fair that we both win, right?

Even if I fire you?

Look, I built you up from nothing once, and I'm the one here doing it again.

No one's gonna take care of you the way that I have, the way that I will.

Or I can walk away right now, and you can go back to wallowing in this...

[Scoffs] this dingy-ass apartment, watching the news talk about someone else.

Hey.

[Scribbling]

You were amazing today.

[Papers rustle]

[Door opens and closes]

Juliette: Avery?

[Footsteps approach]

What's the emergency?

The hell is goin' on? Why is my doctor here?

We need to talk.

[Sighs] When I came in tonight, the baby clearly hadn't been fed or changed in I don't know how long.

And while your fiery personality is usually an asset, lately, you've just been rude and irrational.

You yelled at Bucky, promised him an album in two days.

Honey, that's just not possible.

I don't think I've ever heard you call our daughter by her name.

Is that it?

Is that why y'all called me here... to rattle off a list of complaints?

I think you might be suffering from postpartum depression.

If you are, you're not alone.

This happens to lots of women.

Are you kiddin' me?

Juliette, please, just... just listen.

No, that's enough! I've been out on the road absolutely killin' myself to relaunch my career!

A career, which I might point out, supports all of you.

And I've been getting absolutely no help with it.

Rayna isn't helping me and apparently, neither are any of you!

There are elements of postpartum that drive people to hyperfocus...

No, hyperfocus on this... get out of my house! Now!

He can help you, okay?

We're all here to help you.

Do you know what?

You can stay here and just have your little intervention.

You can holds hands and sing "Kumbaya," and I'm gonna go to the studio and prove to y'all how wrong you are about me.

Great show tonight.

Appreciate it.

Excuse me, Rayna, you got a minute?

Yeah, of course.

Um, if your offer is still good, uh, we would like to officially accept.

[Gasps] For real?

Yes, ma'am.

Mm-hmm.

That's awesome!

Oh...

I am thrilled.

Did y'all just make this official?

Mm-hmm.

Yes. [Laughter]

Gunnar, way to go, man. - Good stuff.

Congratulations.

You're in the big leagues now.

I'm so proud of you.

Yeah, look, I might be partial here, in fact, I know that I am... this is a great decision you guys made.

It's important to have someone solid in your corner.

Well, look at 'em. They're off to a great start.

They got each other.

To The Exes.

To The Exes. Yeah.

[Clinking]

Cheers.

Cheers, y'all. Whoo.

Much like you did with Wyatt lndustries, we... we both know that handling certain matters without bureaucracy or red tape can be mutually beneficial.

Always wondered what Lamar saw in you when he tapped you for mayor, but I get it now.

You recognize opportunity. I like that.

Good.

Well, I look forward to working with you, like you worked with him.

[Clink] Of course I never really dealt with Lamar directly.

I really worked with his daughter.

Should I say your former sister-in-law?

Tandy? Really?

But I hear she started a whole new life in California now.

Yep.

So glad Deacon came.

Even with the news getting out and all, he was...

Somethin' botherin' you?

I was watching you and Gunnar all night.

So I just gotta ask, do you still have feelings for him?

If you were watching us all night, you might've noticed we were fightin' all night.

Well, that's kinda the point.

It just seems like there's a lot of passion still there.

And you clearly don't like Gunnar's girlfriend.

Okay, I do have some feelings for Gunnar.

But, uh, they would be frustration, disappointment, and sometimes, with the way he behaves, I even hate him a little bit.

You don't have anything to worry about.

You wanna celebrate with a drink?

I don't think I got any champagne, but maybe a beer.

What's the deal with you and Scarlett?

Um... well, we dated. We... broke up.

The usual.

[Bottle clatters]

The shade she was throwin' me tonight made it seem like it was more than just the usual.

She knows about how I grew up.

Hell, she even met Jason when he came to Nashville.

She was there for me when he was m*rder*d.

When you came to town, when you left town, Scarlett listened.

And now I am just causing you trouble by stayin'.

No, no, that's not true.

You didn't need to know all that stuff about Jason.

All it did was mess things up with you and Scarlett.

Ruin any good memory you had of your brother.

No, I'm glad you told me the truth.

Yeah, the Jason I thought I knew... he's gone.

But you gave me back our history.

You gave me us.

We weren't a lie.

What we had was real.

What we had was good.

Good night.

[Knock on door]

[Crickets chirping]

Last couple days away with you were great.

I don't want my dad showin' up to ruin all that.

I don't either.

I'm just worried.

Yeah, well, I... you gotta understand somethin'.

My father told me he loved me tonight.

Now, he never once said that when I was a kid.

I always knew he did until...

Well, he didn't.

But to hear him say it out loud...

It doesn't mean anything.

How... how could you say that?

He doesn't know the real you.

He just knows the Will Lexington who's a rising country star, the Will Lexington who's straight now.

Nah, you don't understand.

No, I do.

It's just... it's... it's really hard to watch you re-engage with someone who I know treated you terribly.

I think, um...

I'm gonna go home tonight.

Good to see y'all. Have a good night. I'll see you.

Woman: Night.

[Exhales] Oh.

What's up, Jimmy?

We got a big problem.

Where'd these come from?

Tabloid reporter I know.

They're runnin' the story next week.

Accordin' to them, Will Lexington is gay.

[Sighs]

Hey.

[Whispers] Hey.

Who are these babies?

[Scoffs] I have no idea.

God, the number of times you've saved me since then.

We saved each other, darlin'.

There's a song in there somewhere.

You rescue me, I'll rescue you.

No matter what life puts us through.

You better watch yourself.

I'm gonna make you write an album with me.

I can think of worst ways of spending my time than that.

Beverly.

What are you doin' here?

I wanna do it.

I wanna help you live.

[Exhales]

[Crying]
Post Reply