Nashville: Pilot Episode

Tonight the first episode of ABC's Nashville aired. Here are my thoughts on the first program.


Going in, I had both positive and negative feelings. I'm not much of a country fan, but based on the casting alone I had to give it a try. I also appreciate that it is filmed in Tennessee, which given the theme I feel is a positive thing.

The two main characters are rivals Rayna James (Connie Britton, best known and loved for her role on the critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere, daytime soap alumni who was a child actress on both One Life to Live and Guiding Light before ending up as the cheerleader on Heroes). Their situations are very different as Rayna is a queen of country music, while Juliette is a newcomer bringing people into the genre. When they first meet, they loathe one another and it seems like their rivalry may be one of the thrusts of the series. Rayna left her label because they were going to forcer to tour with Juliette. Juliette may seem like she is getting everything, but her mother is an addict, and most people fake their affection towards her to get something.

Other characters in the main cast include Scarlett O'Connor (Clare Bowen), a waitress who sings and writes poetry. She didn't realize that her words could be turned into music, until Gunnar (Sam Palladio), a fellow musician with a crush spends some time with her. Avery (Jonathan Jackson, who is best known to soap fans at Lucky on General Hospital) is dating Scarlett, but has a roving eye. Scarlett  is the niece of Deacon (Charles Esten), who used to be romantically involved with Rayna and works in her band. Juliette is trying to steal Deacon away from Rayna. Rayna's married to Teddy (Eric Close, who has been in a lot of programs, but first came to my attention when he was on Santa Barbara). Teddy and Rayna are having problems as he lost a lot of money due to the financial collapse. He also realizes that he was Rayna's second choice. With the prodding of Rayna's father Lamar (Powers Booth), he runs for mayor against Rayna's friend Coleman (Robert Wisdom).

I liked the pilot and it seemed like a good introduction to the characters. Hopefully I will enjoy watching the program develop and see what happens in the lives of everyone in the Nashville universe.