Nashville Midseason Report Card: Grade It!

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Nashville Season 5 has had fans in a glass case of emotions.

It started with Juliette's plane crash and her difficult road to recovery.

Next, we watched a happily reunited Scarlett and Gunnar return to their bickering, mistrustful former selves, just in time to find out that Scarlett is pregnant and doesn't know who the father is.

Lastly, just as things seemed to be falling into place for Rayna, Deacon and their little family of four, a stalker shows up and threatens their safety. If that wasn't enough, just after Rayna escapes her stalker and fans everywhere were breathing a collective sigh of relief, she's involved in a tragic car accident that ultimately killed her.  

Wow, Nashville. Just wow.

Read on to see what I thought were the best and worst parts of the first half of Nashville Season 5.

And remember to tune in for the second half, which premieres on June 1, 2017 at 9/8 Central on CMT or just watch Nashville online.

 

 

1. Best Couple: Rayna and Deacon

It breaks my heart to write this, knowing that one half of this couple is now gone, but there's no denying it's true. Rayna and Deacon were Nashville's best couple for the first half of season 5. Despite all that they've been through they somehow grew even more as a couple — working through their past to start a concept album; moving on from Maddie's emancipation and accepting her new relationship; and ensuring the safety of their family when a stalker showed up. I can't even imagine how Deacon will move on from such a devastating loss.

2. Best New Character: Clay

I had high hopes for Clay when they first introduced him, and despite some inconsistencies and slow development, I'm still excited to learn more about him. He seems strong and sensible which most likely comes from the woman who raised him — his grandmother. But we also know he has some deep internal issues stemming from his mother's addiction and abandonment. I'm interested to see how these feelings play out in his music.

3. Annoying New Character: Zack

Zack rubbed me the wrong way from the start. He's a tech billionaire who loves Rayna so much he flew her out to do a private, exclusive performance for him and his friends. That just screams arrogant, spoiled and entitled to me. Next, he buys his way into her life by purchasing a substantial stake of Highway 65. Then all of sudden he's using his position within the label to move in on Will. I'm sorry but all of this was just too much for me. I'm not a fan.

4. Annoying Old Character: Scarlett

I love that Scarlett is getting a backbone and searching within herself to find out exactly who she is and what she wants, but while she's doing that, she needs to stop making decisions that impact other people. She told Gunnar she loved him and wanted to be with him then she basically just took it back. She said she wanted to be part of The Exes but she's constantly pulling away from the duo. Now she's pregnant, which is the biggest and most important decision a person can ever make. I just hope she figures things out before she ruins her life and that of those around around her.

5. Most Improved Character: Juliette

Okay let's be real, Juliette has always been one of the best characters on Nashville but things got a little crazy for her during the second half of season 4. She abandoned her husband and baby, spiraled out of control with the use of drugs and alcohol, and was a raging bitch to anyone who tried to help her. This season the Juliette we know and love has returned, facing a lot of adversity along the way. Recovering from the plane crash and her injuries, Jules has embraced her faith and accepted support from those who love her.

6. Most Valuable Character: Rayna

Fans were shocked when Nashville lost Rayna. Not only because she's a main character and Connie Britton is so beautiful and talented but because the whole show revolved around her. She was Deacon's soulmate/wife; Maddie and Daphne's mother; the head of Highway 65; Juliette's competition/mentor; Scarlett's aunt/mentor/boss; and last but certainly not least, legendary, country superstar, Rayna Jaymes. She was at the center of everything. I know it won't be easy to fill her void, and I know the show can never replace her, but I look forward to seeing the other characters step up in her absense.

7. Most Misused Character: Will

I was really happy that Will finally accepted his sexuality and went public with it in Nashville season 4. He's a great guy and he deserves to live shamefree and be happy. For a second I thought that would include Kevin but it makes sense that Will would want to play the field a little. What doesn't make sense is that he would immediately fall into a relationship with Zack — a character he/we barely know — or that that relationship would be so serious so fast. I'm going to need more time and a valid explanation on that one, writers. Even if it's just a "the characters forced the relationship and kicked it into high gear because Rayna's death freaked them the hell out".

8. Most Heartbreaking Episode: Rayna's Good Bye

It was hard to choose between Rayna's goodbye and the other character's goodbye to her. I tear up just thinking about Maddie, Daphne and Deacon's tribute but I honor that under another heading so back to Rayna's goodbye. Her character had meaningful moments with numerous characters as she lay in that hospital bed. My favorites were with Deacon and Daphne, with whom she spent the most time. Although Rayna didn't participate much, I also loved the moment Juliette had with her. They shared a complicated yet special bond throughout the series. The fact that Maddie didn't get a final moment with her mother made the episode even more heartbreaking.

9. Best Song: On My Way

As always, there were some great songs on Nashville season 5. I chose Juliette's "On My Way" because of the journey her character is on and how far she's come already in the first half of the season. She's back to being a great mom to Cadence, she's trying to work things out with Avery, and she was there for Rayna and Maddie when the former passed. The lyrics couldn't be more spot on — "More trouble than I'm not, don't know when to stop. Ain't got it figured out, right now all I can say is I'm on my way."

10. Best Performance: Sanctuary

If you try to say you didn't cry during this performance, you're lying. Rayna's children and the love of her life paying tribute after her tragic death by singing one of her hit songs? Oh the feels. Not to mention the lyrics — "We have weathered through the storms, taking comfort in each other's arms. When the dark clouds come again, I will lift you up and take you in. Let me be your sanctuary." The performance was simply perfect.

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Nashville Quotes

Why can't they just give out the damn award already? Why do they have to throw so many parties?

Juliette

What you're bailing on the party? Great that's one less person's feelings I have to tiptoe around all night.

Juliette [to Avery]