The world threatened to turn upside down for most of the characters on the season 5 finale of Nashville.
If you haven’t seen the fifth season finale of Nashville and want to avoid spoilers, we suggest you stop reading now. If you want to hear our thoughts keep reading.
Deacon (Charles Esten) decided to reach out to a very angry Zach (Cameron Scoggins) with an olive branch and proposed a partnership as the future of Highway 65 was looking very uncertain. The unexpected move put Zach in an unusual position as for the first time since his arrival, he’s not holding all the cards.
Meanwhile Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) withdrew herself from the American Music Awards nominations and publicly admitted that she had stolen her song from Maddie (Lennon Stella). Will it be enough to help the two characters reunite and work on their friendship?
Elsewhere in the episode Gunnar (Sam Palladio) told Scarlett (Clare Bowen) he was done with her and sick of being blamed for everything that is wrong between them. Deacon and Jessie (Kaitlin Doubleday) shared a moment and it looks like romance may be on the cards for them after all.
With season 6 just around the corner, find out what I want from Nashville when it returns…
1. The writers to remember that Will (Chris Carmack) exists. Is it just me or did Will have pretty much nothing to do last season? He regularly disappeared throughout the season and aside from his unbelievable relationship with Zach, there was no point in him even being there. Will is a great character and really deserves a more central role in season 6.
2. The end of the Gunnar and Scarlett misery. Please, please, PLEASE put them and us out of their misery. They are obviously toxic for one another and Scarlett isn’t equipped to behave like a grown up when it comes to their relationship. Split them up professionally and romantically, and keep it that way.
3. Romance for Deacon and Jessie. I really liked the way the show built up their relationship last season and it feels natural to me that they would embark on a romantic relationship. Jessie has similarities to Rayna but she’s also very different, which is why I think it will work.
4. No more teenager drama. First it was Maddie going off the rails then the storyline was repeated with Daphne (Maisy Stella). Instead of resorting to tired clichés, I wish the writers would give Daphne more to do. She’s got a phenomenal voice and it’s time she got to shine as much as Maddie.
5. A new direction for Juliette. I genuinely though that Juliette was going to grow up and learn her lesson following the plane crash. As always on Nashville that lasted for about 2 minutes before she was tearing everyone around her down. There needs to be more to Juliette than this vicious cycle, especially as she’s the lead female character now Rayna has died.
6. More music. The showrunners promised that the music would get more chance to breathe during season 5 and honestly it didn’t feel any different than previous seasons. The music is what makes Nashville such a great show so I’d rather see more performances and less repetitive drama.
7. Avery (Jonathan Jackson) to continue pursuing his dreams. The writers remembered that Avery had a career last season and that he wanted to be an artist as well as a producer and songwriter. His storyline is often dictated by Juliette so I’m hoping in season 6 he can stand on his own two feet once again.
8. Less Zach. It was an interesting change in dynamic bringing Zach in but after one season I’d be happy for him to go. He’s not a likeable character and he didn’t really foster any friendship with anyone, other than Will.
9. Familiar faces to return. I’d love to know what Layla (Aubrey Peeples) is up to or Zoey (Chaley Rose). I actually think the show misses having Luke (Will Chase) too. One-off appearances or recurring would be great for these characters.
10. Kevin (Kyle Dean Massey) to come back. Did anyone think splitting up Kevin and Will was a good idea? Not only was it a terrible idea but the reason they did it – Will apparently not being able to keep it in his pants – reinforced a stereotype about gay men in relationships.
Nashville returns to CMT for season 6 in January and Sky Living in the UK in early 2018.
[brid video=”175715″ player=”531″ title=”NASHVILLE ON CMT Season 6 Sneak”]
