05x12 - Back in the Saddle Again

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Nashville"...

Why did Mom have to die?

It's hard to understand
why some things happen.

I think I can help Highway 65 flourish.

We thought our deal with Zach
didn't have a downside.

But if he decides to yank
his money out, we're dead.

I want my next album
to be a gospel album.

Our religion isn't a business.

And you think that making a gospel album
is good business for me?

Sorry to cause you such difficulty.

You're the one who brought up business.

- I'm pregnant.
- And I'm...?

Don't know.

It's almost midnight.

Our album's almost out.

- Thank you so much.
- Thanks.

I could've never done it
without you guys. Never.

Reviews are in!

"Juliette Barnes' new album, "Grateful",

marks an unlikely new direction
for the country pop diva."

"Backed by angelic harmonies

from the Mountain Rose
Baptist Church..."

- Woo!
- Yeah!

- You're skipping parts.
- Okay. It's okay. I got it.

- Let me see...
- "It's a bold attempt."

- Let me see!
- "At a crossover..."

"It's a bold attempt at a crossover,

- "but the result is a..."
- Treacly.

Treacly mess that,
unlike Barnes, can't be saved."

- Just one fool's opinion!
- Well, forget him.

Yeah, some of these critics
just want to hate everything.

Hold on, hold on. Rolling Stone:

"Juliette Barnes' culturally
tonedeaf, passion project"

tries to make a statement
about salvation.

"But instead comes off
as strange and inappropriate."

That's crazy.

- Couldn't you find one good review?
- I'm trying.

You should be proud
of your work, all of you.

That's right.

Just give me a minute.

Deacon? You got a minute to go
over a couple of things?

Yeah. Could we do it over coffee?

You bet.

- What about the Exes?
- Thank you.

Nothing booked for the Exes
till the festival.

Give them a chance to rest up
before the tour.

Yes!

What's Zach got brewing in there?

Don't ask me. I just run the place.

- Go ahead.
- Thank you. Hello?

Hello, Mr. Claybourne.

This is Principal Platt
at Langhorne Academy.

Everything all right? Is Daphne okay?

Yes. There's no emergency.

I'm calling because we're concerned
about her academic performance.

Yes, ma'am.
I know that she's been behind

a little bit since her mom...

Yes, I understand, and
I'm very sorry for your loss.

She's been through a lot this semester.

But, every student must
fulfill the same requirements

in order to pass the year,
and Daphne's such a bright girl.

We don't want her to have
to repeat the seventh grade.

Okay, I gotta run right now.

Well, then I can assure you
that will not happen.

Can you hold on one second?

Zach, what's going on?

Just brainstorming how to
achieve world domination.

Seriously, though, I am stoked
to sit down with you guys,

and talk about strategy.
I gotta run right now.

But let's set a meeting, okay?

- Great. Yeah.
- All right.

I'm very sorry, ma'am. Please go on.

So you're sure there's only
one other potential father?

Yeah. Just one. And...

He doesn't know I'm pregnant.

And I would rather not involve him
if I don't have to.

Well, no need. Your friend's cheek swab

will tell the lab whether he's a match.

So by process of elimination.

- Any other questions?
- No.

Your results should be
ready by next week.

Thanks.

- Hey.
- Hi.

Hold your arm out for me?

Have you eaten today?

Just toast, my stomach's
been kind of sensitive.

I been there. I have four kids.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

You make sure you eat after
you leave here, though, okay?

Wouldn't want you fainting out there.

- Yes, ma'am.
- Okay.

You all right, sweetie?

Yeah. Just...

A little scared?

Yeah.

I never thought this would be me.

I've always been careful.

I take my pill the same time
every single day.

And it still happened and...

The whole potential father
thing is just...

I'm sorry. I don't know why
I'm telling you all this.

I know it's gonna be fine.

The test is very reliable.

- Great.
- Okay.

Okay.

And you are all done.

- Thanks.
- Okay, you can get dressed.

Come in.

Your school called.

- Seriously?
- Yes.

I only missed like, four assignments.

Just four? That's all?

It's physically impossible
to turn in homework every day.

You managed up till now.

Look, believe me,

nobody expects you to be perfect.

But you gotta come to me
with these things.

This isn't just a few
assignments, Daphne.

You're failing History. If you don't get

- your average up...
- I will.

Yeah, you will...

I'm gonna help you.

Now your principal says
you got to get at least a "B"

on this final History project,
so you don't fail.

So get it out. Let's see what we got.

You haven't even start...

Okay...

Okay. Let's um...

Let's get started.

Thank you!

My G!

Please don't be offended
if I faint right now.

We love you.

I love you too. Thank you.
It's very kind of you.

- Nadine.
- Okay.

You're an inspiration to me.

I mean, when the kids at school
treat me like crap

for being different,
your music gets me through.

Sweetheart,

It's so nice to meet you. Thank you.

You want to grab a bite to eat?

I don't think this baby's
gonna let me eat this.

My stomach's been doing
backflips since sound check.

When do the doctors think they'll know?

A few days, maybe a week.

How you doing?

"Sanctimonious and saccharine."

You took a risk.

Sometimes that pays off. Sometimes...

It blows up in your face?

Screw the critics.

You poured your soul into this album.

If you love it, it's all that matters.

That is not all that matters!

My fans hated it!

They were thrown off.

They're used to a certain image of you.

- And the whole gospel got all...
- Gospel fans hate it the most.

We've got to keep moving forward.

For now, just try to focus
on something else.

I'm just saying, you know,
don't feel like you have to be there.

Well, I want to be there, dumb ass.

This is a big show for you.

Yeah, I know, but...

Would you stop cleaning up?

I live like a pig, seriously.

It's just embarrassing, you know.

Thinking about you
out there watching me.

Well, I've seen you play before.

That was before we were...

What?

What are we?

Will, stop. It'll be fine.

And, look, if it makes you
more comfortable,

I can go in disguise.

You know, something
like subtle face paint?

Like I want Will? You know?

I'll just be mimicking your
moves during every song.

And at the end of every one,
I'll be like,

"My God! That's my boyfriend!"

Is that what you are?

Yes, you dumb ass.

That was great. Think we got it!

Awesome.

- What? Juliette?
- Hi, baby.

Wow, how long have you been here?

Long enough.

- So what do you think?
- Um...

I think you sound beautiful.

Thank you.

But it's not a single. Yet, okay?

It just needs a little bit more work.

Are you serious?

Look, with all due respect,

I know that you guys have been
working really hard on this.

You've heard like three
different drafts of this, Juliette.

If it needed so much work, then why
didn't you say something before?

I should have, and I'm sorry.

I held back because I didn't
want to discourage you.

Once you get out there in the world,

they're not gonna handle you
with kid gloves.

Look what just happened to me.

And I've been doing this for years.

I know.

You're lucky. You still have
time to fix this.

All right. So we got a slot
now for the other wing.

This looks nothing like
Amelia Earhart's plane.

Well, neither did hers
till it was finished.

All right. You hold the wing.

- I am holding it.
- Yeah, I know

you're holding it,
but just hold it nice and tight.

Keep it steady. Keep it right on there.

- I am!
- You're not holding it still.

I'm tired.

- Do you think I'm not tired?
- Let's just stop then.

Sweetie, we're...

We're trying to save
your grade here, all right?

I'm not trying to be hard on you
for no reason here.

I just need to know that this is
getting through to you, all right?

School is your job.

You gotta take this seriously.

Yeah. Whatever you want.

No, baby, it's not for me. It's for you.

- You want to do this year over again?
- Why not?

What's it matter?
We could all die at any time!

Hey!

What?

You can't just say something
like that and run off, baby.

You okay?

I'm just tired.

I need to sleep.

I know none of this seems
important, but it is, because...

we just got to keep moving on, you know.

I get it.

You go on to bed. I'll finish it.

All right, let me hold it for you.

You want to go over your speech
one more time?

That's okay.

All right. There you go.

Hey, you're gonna do great.

You hear from Maddie?

No. Maybe I shouldn't
have said anything.

No. You said what you really think.

It's up to her to listen or not.

I just took her by surprise.

All she's used to hearing
from this producer

is how brilliant she is.

It's like, Maddie, you're 17.

I'm so glad no one ever
recorded me at 17.

Right. It'd be a really easy fix too.

You know, It just needs more...

This is what she's singing now.

I would have her pop the chorus
up to a higher note.

It just needs a stronger hook, like...

Sounds like you have it.

And the track needs to be stronger.

Maybe some pop programing in there.

And the energy just needs to grab you.

Maybe instead of trying
to explain it to her,

she just needs to hear what you hear.

You know, you're not just pretty.
You're smart too.

I like it.

Hey!

Want me to read your palm?

Sure.

Interesting.

How much?

Get lost.

Hey, watch this.

Dad?

Dad? Dad, is that you?

Wait! I need money for college!

Hey!

Hey, I'm talking to you!

- Hey! Bitch! Come back here!
- Come on! Come on!

My God!

That was insane!

That was like the dumbest
thing I could have done...

No, it was so cool.

It's wonderful to make your
acquaintance, my fairy child.

- My name's Liv.
- I'm Daphne.

Does your school make you
wear that outfit?

Yep.

It's ugly as hell.
No wonder you're ditching.

You want me to finish
your fortune, inside?

Um, where are we?

Dude, this is where we crash.

Until the cops kick us out. Come on.

Thanks.

Wait, you live here?

Apologies for the mess.
Maid didn't come today.

Whoah.

That's just Kyle.

He sleeps through anything, you're good.

Who are all these people?

People nobody cares about.

Okay, so... come on.

This, this is your head line.

See how long and straight it is?

That means that you think
things through,

and you stick to your goals.

Yeah, I guess I used to be like that.

Not anymore?

Well, I mean, I completely bailed

on this Amelia Earhart project
which was like 50% of my grade.

Grade's just a number, though, right?

If you learn something,
that's what matters.

Hey, Sherri.

Hey, Jayden. Hi.

Munchkin.

He's just cranky. He didn't nap today.

My God, Daria?

- You've seen Daria?
- I love that show.

- Woo! Tight.
- You guys are nuts.

All right, which one of these
should I wear?

They're exactly the same.

No, they're not the same!

- I got to look cool.
- For Zach?

Shut up. I'm completely
nervous about this.

Well, you must really like him.

More than I should.

So what are you worried about?

You're not that bad live.

All right, you need to calm down.
You're gonna be great, okay?

Yeah, right, my boyfriend's
only a certified genius.

Who's literally one of Forbes
most powerful people in the world.

And you, my friend,

are the guy that can walk out on stage.

And make 1,000 people dance
and scream and feel.

All right, Zach Welles will
never be able to do that.

So, if we really want to
disrupt the music industry,

we need to shift our focus.

We need to start thinking about

- mindshare over profits.
- Mindshare?

I thought we were trying
to increase revenue.

Is that what we're trying to do?
Disrupt the industry?

It sounds weird. I know.

But disruption can be a good thing.

I mean, look what Uber
did to the taxi industry.

What is a mindshare? What is that?

It's the currency of attention,

capturing eyeballs and ears.

How about actual currency?

Look, I believe we can make
this company profitable again.

But it's not gonna happen
by doing things

the way that you have in the past.

Okay, that model is just
no longer effective.

I'm sorry, I got to take
this real quick, Zach.

Hello?

Yeah, dropped her off this morning.

My God.

Um...

All right, yeah. Okay, thank you.

Daphne's missing.

I gotta go.

- Please...
- Yeah, thank you.

It's Daphne. Leave a message.

Come on!

Did you find her?

Yeah, she's fine. She's here.

My God, thank you.

Where are you?

- I'm on my way home.
- Okay.

You must love this.

Are you kidding me?

I practically had a heart att*ck
when dad called me!

After that guy who stalked Mom?

I'm just so glad that
you're okay, Daphne.

Daphne!

She went upstairs.
I gotta go to the studio.

- Yeah, go.
- All right. I love you.

I love you.

Where the hell were you?

Nowhere. I was just walking around.

You can't do that, all right?

- You cannot just run off like that.
- I missed one day!

Some kids don't even go to school.

I don't care what other kids do.

You don't answer my phone call.
You don't answer my texts.

What about your project?

I'll just retake the year. I don't care.

You got to help me out here, all right?

Because I don't understand
what is going on.

This is not you, Daphne.
This is not who you are!

You don't know me.

I'm not Maddie!

I never said you...
I don't think you are.

You're trying to make us family,
but we're not!

Hey.

Sorry. The door was unlocked.

I didn't hear you come in.

- Could you...
- Yeah.

It's...

Turn it off.

All right.

Did you hear how much
better you sounded?

Juliette, I'm sorry.
This version is just not me.

Okay. I get it. It's new.

But I hope you'll
at least give it a chance.

I thought that's what I just did.

Why don't you take it home.

Listen to it a few times
before you make your decision.

Because this single can make
or break your album.

I really appreciate
you looking out for me.

I really do, but I have
been waiting so long

to make my music my way.

Maddie, this is still your song.

But songs evolve and sometimes
you have to just let them.

But this didn't evolve on its own.
You changed it!

And I'm sorry, but I
liked it the way it was.

Of course, you do!
You're attached to it.

But sometimes that holds you back, okay?

When you were too close to see clearly.

You don't think I'm seeing clearly?

It happens to all of us.

I am trying to make sure that
you don't get hurt here.

Okay, I have been doing this
so much longer than you.

I know what works and what doesn't.

- Well, then...
- What?

No. I should just go.

Maddie, you can say
what you need to say to me.

Then why didn't your album work?

It is a completely different situation.

You're not established yet.

I'm sorry.

- I shouldn't...
- No, it's fine.

You don't want to sing it,
don't sing it.

And I think we can call it a day.

So what's been going on, Daphne?

I'm failing History.

Which, according to my stepdad,
is like the end of the world.

What's it like according to you?

I mean, I know it's not good.

And I should probably
care more, since it's...

about my future or whatever.

I don't know, it's like I just...
I don't even want to be here.

Here? In therapy?

Anywhere.

So what do you think?

Daphne's showing signs
of major depression.

God, come on now.

- She just lost her mom.
- It can be triggered by loss.

But it's different from grief.

Grief subsides.
Depression is persistent.

And it often comes with feelings
of emptiness or worthlessness.

I know about depression.

I was just hoping she's
getting better, you know.

I guess I needed her to.

So what do we do?

I'm going to suggest Daphne
come see me twice a week.

I can teach her coping techniques.

Help her identify her feelings
and work through them.

What about home? What do I do?

Love her.

Try to resist the impulse to fix it.

Let her push you away if she needs to.

Let her know you'll still be there.

- Okay.
- Here we go.

You don't wanna wait till we get home?

It's like ripping off a BandAid.
Just gotta do it.

Okay.

Just remember, whatever it says,

we'll deal with it.

It doesn't change anything between us.

It's okay.

It's okay. It doesn't matter.

I still love you.

You know, I really thought

nothing could be worse than not knowing.

Sorry, man.

I was so stupid. I just...

I got attached to the thought
of me and her and the baby.

Well, can't it still be
you and her and the baby?

And him?

Every time I look at her,
I see them together.

You think she still
has feelings for him?

I don't know.

Either way, I'm screwed.

I swore to her the test wouldn't matter.

Why can't I just man up and get over it?

Because it's not fair.

We all get sold this fantasy
that life's gonna be easy.

Hurts like hell
when you learn the truth.

Yeah, no kidding.

It's just you can't push
that kind of pain away.

You gotta... You gotta own it,

deal with it every day.

That's being a man.

Yeah.

Look, Gunnar, if you really
want to be with her,

you'll find a way.

I just don't wanna
mess it up again, man.

I failed her so many times.

Of course, you have
and she's failed you.

I mean, that's what people do.
They fail each other.

So try again.

Fail better.

- Okay, this one is definitely...
- No, don't try and guess yet.

Just listen all the way through.

- Okay, you're creeping me out.
- Sorry. Not watching you.

I'm over here.

So? Which one's better?

Okay. Well, full disclosure,

I can tell which one is yours.

Really? That totally ruins it.

You're supposed to be blind
and be able to be objective.

I am. And, objectively,
your version's better.

Shut up. Really?

Yeah. I mean, that hook
takes it to another level.

Wait. God, that's hers.

But it's not like the first one was bad.
They're just different.

You know, it comes down
to personal taste.

You're supposed to have good taste.
That's why I asked you.

Okay. Well, here's your lesson.

Never ask me.

And besides, it's your album.

Use the one that you like best.

What if that's a mistake?

What if this is the one thing
keeping me from making it?

Hey, Maddie,
what is making it even mean?

Being universally liked?
It's impossible.

Look, my music's never
gonna be that bestselling

top of the charts, whatever.

But it doesn't need to be.

You have to please yourself.

At the end of the day,
that's what's important.

Even if I'm the only one listening?

That's better than putting something out
you can't stand behind.

Yeah, might have left them beans
on a little bit too long?

Could be a song in there, though, right?

Hey. Sorry, I was at Clay's.

That's all right.

Grab a slightly overcooked dinner here.

So, Daph, how'd it go today?
Your session?

She thinks she knows
why I'm so messed up.

Why?

Because living with you
would drive anyone insane.

Wow, okay.

Hey, where you going?

I'm done.

Well, your sister just got home.
Would it k*ll you to...

sit a little bit with us?

I'm gonna go do homework.

Isn't that what you want?

Yeah.

She's going through something.

We just gotta be here for her.

Yeah, I know.

So you decide between those
two versions of your song?

I just keep secondguessing myself.

I don't know. Maybe people would
like Juliette's version better.

Clay did. I don't know.
It's like if I change it, then...

What?

I just...

I wish I could ask Mom.

She was so true to her voice.

Yeah.

- She was.
- Yeah.

But she made some compromises too.

Especially when she started out.

So you think I should...

I can't tell you what's right for you.

I'm just saying that,
when you make music,

you never really do it alone.

Your band, your producer, your engineers,

your audience.

You're all in it together.

And that's the point.

Kind of what being
an artist is, you know.

Reaching out.

I was so relieved to hear
Daphne got home safe.

- Yeah, thank you.
- Well, thank you,

for making the time to sit down with me.

I was glad to get you alone, actually.

No offense to Bucky.

But he can be less than
receptive to new ideas.

I realize that he has been with
the company a long time.

Since the inception.
Hell, longer than that.

- He and Rayna...
- Of course.

But if I may,

I think that's clouding
his judgment here.

He's so protective of her legacy.

He's afraid to let the label evolve

- in ways that it needs to to survive.
- Look, I can talk to Bucky, all right?

Well, I want to know what you think
about finding another job for him.

Another job?

I just don't see how he's useful to us
in his current position.

And if he didn't want to stay on,

we can get him the best possible package.

You want to let him go,
is what you want.

Something like that would
be your call, totally.

I'm just voicing a concern.

Just give it some thought.

Hey, it's Hallie.

I just wanted to see how you're doing.

I haven't heard from you
since the party.

Are you okay?

Yeah... Fine.

- Hey.
- Hey, thanks for meeting me.

I felt like we should talk.

Yeah. I've been feeling really bad.

No. I should not have pushed
you that hard, okay?

Sometimes I get a little
caught up in myself,

not to shock you.

I feel like for our friendship,

it might be better if I just
backed off a little bit.

- Juliette...
- Professionally.

I want to use your version.

- Really?
- Yeah.

What changed your mind?

I listened.

- Gunnar, I...
- Don't say anything yet. Just...

Just let me get this out.

You're the best person I've ever known.

That's why it hurt so much when
we opened that envelope.

It still hurts, but I can take it.

What I can't take is losing you.

Now I won't promise not to mess up.

Because I will. It's like a guarantee.

But, please, can we just try?

Daphne! Dinner!

Something tastes a little bit
different about it.

- Really?
- Little bit.

- Mom used more garlic.
- Hey.

- I made Silly Noodle Casserole.
- Tada!

You know, I never really got
what was so silly about this.

- What was that?
- I don't even know.

We just always called it that.

- Really?
- Yeah.

- What about you? What do you think?
- I'm not hungry.

What? Are you serious?

We just spent so long
making this, Daphne.

You been in your room all afternoon.

Scarlett and Gunnar are coming over.
I know they want to see you.

Yeah. Well, I don't want to see them.

Come on.

Let's talk about it a little bit.

Screw you!

It's okay. You don't have to talk to me.

You're angry. I get that.

I keep trying to make everything okay.

And it's not.

It's not for me either.

It's not for any of us.

And I don't know what to do about that.

But for now, maybe it's okay,

not being okay.

We love you, Daph, so much.

We know you love us too.

Even when you can't stand us.

We're family.

One thing you need to know is
that whatever you're going through,

we're gonna be right here for you.

Always.

No matter what.