Nashville 2.09 Review: The Funny Thing About People

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Nashville, entitled ‘I’m Tired of Pretending’, now would be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed ahead at your own discretion.

I really love the drama that this show brings; it’s such great entertainment. And yet, at the same time it is able to balance great family qualities, intriguing relationships, and well-written characters. This series is so beautifully done, and that’s a particularly generous compliment, as it comes from a woman that absolutely cannot stand the sound of country music. Somehow this series is able to manage to make me like it.

This week had somewhat of a conclusion to the Juliette Barnes and Charlie Wentworth storyline. At the beginning I was so happy having him around because of how absolutely adorable he is, but then Juliette sadly had a point when she realized they didn’t bring out the best in each other. Although, I still really loved that barn scene between the two of them from a couple episodes back. Hopefully this isn’t the last we see of Charlie, particularly after the reveal Layla gave to TMZ. I mean, did you not see Charlie’s face as he came to Juliette’s dressing room to tell her it had been a week and that he loved her and wanted to build a life with her? He looked absolutely devoted to his feelings right there, how could anyone not want that beautiful Brit back on their television screen? Honestly, I have one specific note that reads: ‘I love Charlie. Seriously.’ That’s how badly I need this guy on my TV set each week. It’s like my obsession with Charlie and Monroe and just needing Monroe on my TV over on Revolution.

Anyways, there was some well-developed progress regarding the whole Maddie, Teddy, and Deacon situation. I’m definitely looking forward to this the further it progresses, although it was a complete douchebag thing of Teddy to take Deacon out of the showcase. As a longtime hater of his character, I’m kind of hoping the previews of someone getting shot next episode are of Teddy. I really don’t like that character. On the flipside, I am enjoying Deacon and his struggle to see where he could possibly fit in this situation. It will most assuredly be interesting to see how he approaches his relationship with Maddie, and the responsibility he might need to accept going forward. Also, I absolutely adored Maddie and him singing together on stage.

The whole Scarlett and Gunnar situation on tour was graced with the presence of both Avery and Zoey this week. I have to say that I quite enjoyed getting to see the friendship between Scarlett and Zoey on that couch and am a little disappointed the Gunnar and Zoey relationship will likely put a stopper in the two besties friendship. It’s always sad when lifelong friends go their separate ways, particularly when they are as close as these two. I don’t think this is the end of their friendship, but I do think there will be tough roads ahead for them. But I still don’t think the Gunnar, Zoey relationship was the right thing for his character, despite her playing the tension and chemistry between them well.

All in all, this series is such a beautiful mess when it comes to the drama. There is so much chaos in these people’s lives that it just gives the series so many ripe pickings when it comes to stories to tell. There is a perfect amount of ensemble cast on this show, and I’m enjoying almost all of the characters this season. Also, I just have to comment on how much Juliette resembled Britney Spears in that outfit she wore as she performed with Will, and she looked really good in it too. Basically, this series is pretty damn great, despite my hatred of Teddy, and not being completely interested in Rayna’s father’s legal troubles.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“No, I’m pretty sure I meant sadly.” – Zoey corrects Avery, regarding the fact she’s spent most of her free time with him and Gunnar.

“The funny thing about people, they make a lot of mistakes that can hurt the people around them. The thing I’ve learned is it doesn’t mean they don’t love us.” – Rayna shares her wisdom with Maddie, in a beautiful mother-daughter moment.

Okay, so I just have to review American Horror Story: Coven now. Stay tuned.

Nashville 2.08 Review: Get Tough Or Move On

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Nashville, entitled ‘Hanky Panky Woman’, now would be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

As always, this series brought it this week. This series is easily the most consistently good show on television. I really feel like I’m invested in these people’s lives, that I’m in it with them, and that inclusion is beyond brilliant writing and acting. This season is definitely building on how good last year was and just making it even better. I actually enjoy watching this every week and am sad that I now have to wait two weeks for a new episode.

We learned a lot about the characters this week. Jeff toyed with Scarlett before her very first stadium performance and it ended up kind of crushing her, but then she seemed to make a comeback the next night. Problem is, it seems like she’s not too happy with all that performing and fame bring, so basically she’s just going to fake it. She did really well performing the second night, I’m not sure why she wouldn’t think she’s good enough, but insecurities do that to a person.

While Raina and Luke heated things up in their relationship, both physical and musical, including an amazing duet, which I’m going to say Gunnar and Scarlett did better, her troubles with Jeff hit its climax. Basically the man sequestered her masters only for her to go out and do a duet partially in hopes that it would help him get his quarterly so that she might get her masters back. Definitely some brilliant back and forth between them tonight. Also, does anyone else agree with me that Jeff has a thing for Raina beyond a work relationship?

Elsewhere, Juliette’s relationship with both Charlie and his wife got mixed up. Olivia basically made it appear as though Charlie had told her and thought it would be a good idea if they hooked up too. I was not at all surprised by Juliette’s reaction, and was quite proud of her speech to the couple spurred on by advice from Avery – who we all know she has feelings for in some capacity. And then Charlie shows up at the end and says he’s falling in love with Juliette. Major (girl) squeal moment right there. I kind of adore Charlie, so I’m hoping something persists between the two because I’d be utterly disappointed if he stopped showing up on my television every week.

All in all, this week was a quality episode. Raina looked amazing, particularly her hair when she sang that duet with Luke. Scarlett also looked fantastic with her make-up both nights and her hair with the pink tips. Deacon looked like his character was going to move forward with a life away from the guitar but still consisting of music. And everyone else had some nice, quality progression for each of their individual storylines. Also, nice throw back to the first time Scarlett and Gunnar practiced poolside together. It really made me miss them performing together. This series really is a nice, homegrown, drama-filled, heartwarming, character production.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“In case you haven’t noticed, there’s no one I can’t say ‘screw you’ to.” – Juliette explains to her manager.

“Well, you ain’t dead yet.” Scarlett says to Deacon, after he tells her that he’s screwed up every solo career chance he’s had.

Alright, I’m off to watch the last new Revolution episode of the year before it goes on its winter hiatus, and God knows how long that’s going to be. Afterwards, I’ll be checking out American Horror Story: Coven, so stay tuned.

Nashville 2.07 Review: Doing What's Right For Those You Love

Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Nashville, entitled ‘She’s Got You’, I suggest that you go do that before reading ahead, or exit the screen now. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

WHAT? Okay, no, really, WHAT? Olivia is gay? Or at least bi? I am so flabbergasted right now; I did not expect that at all. I’m so very… I don’t even know what to say to that. All the power to her, if she is, but she is still married, even if her husband is cheating on her, with the same woman she wants to sleep with. I can’t even recall Juliette ever being into women before, so I’m certainly intrigued to see how that exchange goes next week. I have a feeling Olivia may blackmail her if Juliette doesn’t go along with it, but that’s not something that goes over well with Juliette.

Now that I’m through with that extreme shocker, I have to say that I’m really liking the progression of the stories in this series. It feels very natural for a lot of them. Raina moving forward with Luke and her family, putting Maddie first when it comes to Deacon so that the two of them can have a relationship. Also, Juliette and Charlie’s relationship, how she really doesn’t want anything from him, she wants to be able to get places on her own, but at the same time she uses certain things to her advantage. In that way, she’s surprisingly smart; making it look like she got Santa fired and rehired, just to show him she was the one with the power. While I don’t expect their thing to last, I kind of wish it could between Charlie and Juliette because they fit so well together.

Deacon’s struggle with singing without a guitar, something that is more natural to him was extremely well done. I loved seeing him try to dance with the mike rather than what he’s used to, but he hadn’t gotten the natural thing down quite well. I also loved the fact that the first bar he sang in had turned into a comedy club, so he basically had to man up, especially for Maddie’s sake. It was also a really strange relationship between him and Avery this week, but strange in a good way. I definitely like the way they’re going with this character, redeeming him in the way they’re choosing to do.

There were a lot of great moments to this week’s episode. While I’m still not on the bandwagon of Zoey and Gunnar, I did like seeing the way he maneuvered the rights to his song in order to get a break. Definitely going to be awkward having him and Charlotte on the same tour bus, but interesting all the same. Loved seeing Raina shooting a gun to distract herself from her ex-husband’s wedding. Also Maddie’s fears about being replaced were realistic and nicely done, and nicely resolved, for now. I’m still very intrigued by what way they’re going to go with this Peggy thing.

All in all, this is a very good series to be watching. It’s a nice, easy, very grounded soap that I love watching every week. No, I’m not constantly excited by what’s going on, but I love the fact that it’s not completely out there with the drama, and how very homegrown, down to earth it really is. That definitely makes this a much watch in my books, because there isn’t a lot of that on television these days.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I don’t want to talk about this morning. Ever.” – Deacon states rushedly to Avery.

“Son of a bitch.” – Juliette mutters to her manager about Santa staging a walk out on her part of the concert.

“He always liked me, right?” – Maddie asks her mom, referring to Deacon.

All right, I’m off to watch Revolution now. After that it’ll be American Horror Story: Coven. Stay tuned.

Revolution 2.07 Review: Betrayal of the Worst Kind

Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Revolution, entitled ‘The Patriot Act’, here is where I will suggest that you go do that before proceeding ahead. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

First off, can I just say how happy I am that Monroe is still alive? Although, come on, if they’d have killed him off they would be complete morons. Otherwise, I enjoyed large bulks of this episode, getting to see behind the eyes of Dr. Porter’s past, but there are some things leading me to believe we’re going to see less of the gang all together for a little while.

While I’m not the biggest fan of this whole Aaron controlling the nanites storyline, at least they saved his life as well as kept him and his girlfriend from being caught. It was nice to see Aaron in this episode, a character that has finally gotten backbone by telling Miles he will not leave Cynthia behind, and they better figure out a way of bringing her along. It makes me proud of the character growth he has developed just over two seasons.

Although I can understand the reasoning behind Gene’s decision to become a Patriot, standing by and watching such travesties go on for your own selfish gain is terrible. Yes, he was doing so he wouldn’t have to watch his townspeople die of diseases, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. When I heard him listening into their conversation, all I though was, ‘Shit. This is why you don’t trust vents!’ But I am thankful that he didn’t rat them out – at first. Although both himself and Rachel could take a page from Neville in being able to lie convincingly, because it was so obvious that he was hiding something.

Speaking of Neville, I have to say that I am glad he was able to bring Jason back, as far as we can currently tell. I do think that Neville was holding his gun weird during that search of the buildings, and then those boys were definitely terrible shots. That father-son moment though, where Jason is covered in blood and a look passes between them was brilliantly subtle yet moving all the same. I think that this entire reason they wrote Jason into this, was so that his damaged character would be on a similar playing field with Charlie again. Although I’m still desperately hoping they forgo that for Bass/Charlie, but something tells me they’re going to ignore that exceptional amount of chemistry, although I’ll hold out hope until this series ends, just give them more scenes together.

A few other things to note, one being how they were saying Rachel’s mom died from cholera. Who knew something like that could happen there, even without power, seeing as it took this long to introduce this type of story? Also, I once again have to say how much I love Monroe and the fact that he is on Miles’ side again. I am desperately hoping for more bromance between them, and scenes of fighting for the cause with Monroe, Charlie, and Miles. Don’t get me wrong, Charlie and her mom had a nice moment in this episode, but Rachel is still too heavily involved in this series for my liking. That whole moment, too, where Bass has to sit down after killing those two men was just great. Also, note to self: don’t ever alarm Aaron to the point of desperation or anger, he will burn you up. He also has a terrible last name.

All in all, there were some exciting points to this episode. I still wish for more of what I love (anything between Bass, Charlie, and Miles), but I’m a selfish viewer. I really hope the way they’re going with this Aaron story doesn’t get too hokey, otherwise I may skip passed those parts for better things, and I’d really hate to do that. I’ll just have to put my trust in Kripke that he knows what he’s doing; he did, after all, give me the best seasons of Supernatural under his tutelage.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You missed me. You’re my best friend.” – Monroe says to Miles, while still loopy.

“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me.” – Monroe exclaims after reading what Miles was sending to him with the light.

“Unless we can charge Aaron out of the wall Kool Aid style, I’m out of ideas.” – Miles exasperates.

“You gonna go all macho on me now? You only got one hand.” – Aaron says to Miles.

“So that’s what fifteen year old crap smells like.” – Aaron states after the manhole is opened.

Okay, I’m off to go write up my so-not-glowing review of American Horror Story: Coven. Stay tuned for that. Later, reviews of The Vampire Diaries, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Crazy Ones. So stick around.

Nashville 2.06 Review: So Wrong It's Right

Anyone that has yet to watch Wednesday’s episode of Nashville, titled ‘It Must Be You’, well then you’re also late to the party and should probably go watch that now. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Just to forewarn you.

This show is just so dramatic, and warm, and brilliant. It has such an included family kind of feel to it, like anyone could watch and enjoy it. Yeah, sure, this show does have a big country vibe to it sometimes, but then it makes me understand why so many people divulge themselves in that lifestyle, if it’s anything like this series, and I’m not a fan of country music at all.

There were a lot of things I loved about this episode, most notably the new character Charlie’s involvement. While last week he seems so enthused about his marriage – at least up until the point he slept with Juliette anyways – this week we got to see more about him, and how his marriage isn’t really working behind closed doors. Which is why I absolutely adored his interactions with Juliette, he really should be with her. And boy is he cute; I really hope he sticks around for a while because I love him.

Some other things I enjoyed about this episode definitely included Deacon’s relationship progression. Not only does he seem to be getting his act together, his relationship with Megan really appears to be healthy and good for him. She is definitely right for him at this stage in his life. Yes, I was really gunning for a Raina-Deacon reconciliation at some point, but Raina may be right in saying that they’re not healthy for each other. I also really liked Zoey’s hair, those are enviable curls that I wish I had. Also, I absolutely adored when Juliette sang with the stable workers. That was such a beautiful, down-to-earth moment that was strange for Juliette’s character, but at the same time just right.

One of my only contentions with this episode was the whole Gunnar-Zoey thing. Last season he was so incredibly into Scarlett, and eventually they fell in love, he got messed up and ended up proposing. Two episodes ago I still felt that connection between them, but this week it was almost like there was nothing between them. They were so sweet together, but now it’s like none of that meant anything, and Gunnar’s just going to throw any chance with her again out the door for Zoey. It just doesn’t feel right or cohesive to the story. I mean, I know how Avery wants Scarlett back, but I just don’t feel like he’s right for, despite how much he’s changed. I think I may always be a Scarlett-Gunnar fan, and the writers are ruining that chemistry and relationship.

Overall, I really believe this is a beautiful series. It may not be perfect, but it is one of the best series out there at the moment. I realize it’s a soap opera type of show, and that it may eventually become tiresome, but it’s in its early years, and much like Grey’s Anatomy, the early years are always the best.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Just go have some servant feed you some grapes and leave me alone.” – Juliette tells Charlie.

“Yeah, I don’t like grapes.” – Charlie rebuts after telling Juliette she’s wrong about the rich man stereotype.

“According to Wikipedia, that horn means the game’s about to start.” – Juliette shouts at Charlie.

“On the Lord’s day no less.” – Avery teases Scarlett about her and Zoey playing video games every Sunday.

Okay, so here’s this review up. If you didn’t catch my apology on the Revolution review for this being late, go check out the end of that because I’m sure as hell not repeating it. Stay tuned for American Horror Story: Coven’s review next.