Thursday, May 23, 2013

"Nashville" Season 1 Finale: Embarrassingly Bad.

Hello,

I'm not sure why I watched the Season 1 finale of "Nashville". It probably has something to do with the fact that I watched every other episode and wanted to see the finale. I was unaware how bad a season finale could be. It wasn't as bad as "The Killing" season 1 finale, but it sure seemed like it was trying to be that bad. It was equivalent though to the terrible "Walking Dead" season 3 finale.

The best thing about this episode is knowing Jolene Barnes (Sylvia Jeffries) is dead. Fans of this show should be grateful that this lame character was killed off in season 1. A similarly terrible character, Lori Grimes, didn't die until season 3 of "The Walking Dead". The only believable acting Jeffries did the entire season was when she laying in the casket. That was easily her best work of the season. Her character always felt completely irrelevant and I kept on thinking her season arc would be done soon. I couldn't believe they kept on having her on the show. I so hope she wasn't on the show just so she could have her dramatic season when she killed Dante and then herself.

Then why did Jolene send her daughter a letter? Just another stupid thing about this episode.

Prediction: Jolene gets out of the shower and it has all been a dream. Okay I know that's completely derivative of "Dallas", but I wouldn't put it past "Nashville" to do something that incredibly stupid.

Another good thing about the death of Jolene is the bad influence Jeffries has on Panettiere. Her acting gets noticeably worse when acting in the same scenes as Jeffries. Panettiere's voice also gets shrill and her acting noticeably deteriorates. I really want to like the character of Juliette Barnes, but the stupid things the producers have this character do is unbelievably stupid. Literally Juliette hasn't learned from any of her past mistakes?

Peggy Kanter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is pregnant. Really, how stupid is that? Or as someone else pointed out, is she just pretending to be pregnant to hold on to Teddy? They hid their relationship but they didn't protect against unintended consequences? Also why did they meet in a parking garage? Did that strike anyone else as odd and nonsensical?  Everyone knows they have a relationship.

Prediction: Peggy really isn't pregnant, but she's desperate to keep Teddy.

Also please kill the whole Cumberland storyline, that's been a non-starter since it was introduced. It's part and parcel with the equally bad Lamar Wyatt story.

My two favorite characters in "Nashville" are Deacon (Charles Esten) and Rayna James (the amazing Connie Britton). However the producers didn't do them any favors in this finale. Deacon finds out he's Maddie's daddy unexpectedly, which apparently drives him off the wagon. At the end of the episode those two end up at the Bluebird. Deacon is drinking and Rayna confronts him. She won't let him drive off and she takes over the driving duties. Meanwhile they are arguing as they drive aimlessly. Of course she loses control of the vehicle and they are in a spectacular crash. Sarcasm alert: boy I wonder if they will live or die?

Prediction: They both survive and they're back to full health by season 2, episode 2. Quickly into season 2 everyone forgets this "dramatic" crash.

After Scarlett broke up with Gunnar last episode, she told him she didn't know what she wanted in this episode. But he still asks her to marry him? I don't know a lot about women. But I do know if a woman breaks up with you, then says she doesn't know what she wants it's usually not a good idea to ask her to marry you.

Prediction: Scarlett says no and continues to shift from making tough decisions one minute to just floating through life the next minute.

A show that started out with so much promise really burned out the final few episodes. The longer the season wore on, the worst the show got. How did this stupid show get a second season? This show always had soap opera elements, however I was able to tolerate that for the behind the scenes look of the country music industry. But this show just turned into a complete soap opera a few weeks ago. Out of a sense of loyalty I watched the season finale. However I won't be watching season 2. Where do I go to get that 45 minutes of my life back? I'm so thankful for the person who invented the DVR.

Prediction: much like "Smash", "Nashville" will make a lot of changes for season 2. But ultimately the changes won't help and the viewership will drop enough that there won't be a third season.

This show's saving grace remains the great songs they continue to unearth, including this Juliette Barnes instant classic, "Nothing In This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again":



Prediction: I predict the music will continue to be amazing. Although I won't be watching season 2, I'll pay attention to the new music that comes through this show.

themusicaddict




1 comment:

Unknown said...

We've really enjoyed Eric Close's portrayal of Teddy on "Nashville season 1 dvd box set ." Teddy knows he "shouldn't" feel emasculated by Rayna's success, but he does, and Close has made that sympathetic to the audience while still occasionally having Teddy act like a petulant teenager -- as he does at the beginning of "I've Been Down That Road Before" when he finds out that Deacon has joined Rayna and Juliette's tour. Nashville season 1 dvd box set Rayna tries to tell him Deacon's with Juliette and she had no idea, but Teddy isn't having it, and pouts when he finds out Rayna has seen Deacon since firing him. The "we've been friends for 20 years" rationale isn't working for him, either.
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