What's it about?
Music legend Rayna Jaymes reigns as the Queen of Country, but after two decades, her grip on the throne is slipping. Rayna refuses to be steamrolled by her record label as they present a new arrangement. And in the face of an evolving industry, Rayna is struggling to adapt and reinvent herself, which she must do if she plans to stay relevant. Juliette Barnes is sexy, sassy, and trails trouble in her wake -- she's also the country's #1 crossover artist. In her climb to the top, Juliette's public image is threatened by circumstances she struggles to control. And while she is determined to sit on Rayna's throne, Juliette refuses to deal with her difficult past. Nashville is Music City U.S.A. It's where today's top recording artists lay down tracks while tomorrow's undiscovered talent fight to be heard. With the backdrop of a thriving contemporary music scene, and a tense mayoral race, NASHVILLE takes us into the cutthroat world of music and politics, showing what it really means to become a star and stay one.
(from ABC.com)
You should watch if...
• ...you're a fan of country music.
• ...you're a fan of Connie Britton or Hayden Panettierre.
• ...you're a fan of compelling television.
So, how was it?
NASHVILLE is one of 2012's best-written, most compelling dramas. It's full of complex characters, beautiful music, and backstabbing back-room deals. What more could you want from a show?
Connie Britton burns up the screen as Rayna Jaymes, the aging Queen of Country determined to hold on to her crown. She's nominally our heroine, yet she is deeply flawed -- insecure, competitive, stubborn, scared and proud. She flows with ease between commanding stage performances, quiet personal moments, and hysterical screaming matches. Fans of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or AMERICAN HORROR STORY will be thrilled to see the talented Ms. Britton shining front-and-center for once. NASHVILLE will rise or fall based on her performance, and one episode in, it's a rousing success.
It doesn't hurt that she's surrounded by a cast of equally-layered characters played by equally-talented performers. Hayden Panettiere is Juliette Barnes (aka Taylor Swift's evil, slutty twin), the young starlet poised to dethrone Rayna. She's conniving, manipulative, and hungry for power, but also possesses an undeniable talent, as well as a family history she'd rather keep secret. Powers Boothe (24) chews up the scenery as Rayna's powerful father. Relative newcomer Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio (EPISODES) are two up-and-coming talents whose soulful duet is one of the pilot's highlights.
Apart from the powerhouse performances, the best thing about NASHVILLE is its authenticity. Shot on location in Tennessee, the pilot features such famous places as the Grand Ole Opry and the Bluebird Cafe. All of the original music is executive produced by T-Bone Burnett and written by the likes of John Paul White of The Civil Wars. The show, while ostensibly about Rayna and Juliette, manages to be so much more -- it's as much about the discovery of new talent, the running of a record label, and the songwriting process, as it is about the power struggle between two divas.
My one issue with the show is its political subplot. In the middle of the fascinating, in-depth look at the music business, we get a cliché story line about a possibly corrupt man and his interest in the race for mayor of Nashville. At least in the pilot, this subplot felt like a superfluous distraction from the main event. Hopefully the race will either become integral to the plot or be dropped quickly. But that's a minor quibble from a fantastic hour of television.
And the verdict is:
Certifiably ADDICTive. A must-see.
In a world of shaky pilots that may or may not find their footing as good shows, NASHVILLE arrives loudly and proudly on the scene, fully confident of what kind of series it wants to be. It's this self-assurance that will draw in viewers and keep them coming back for more. With its focus on such a popular genre of music, its compelling characters, and its authentic atmosphere, I will be shocked if this doesn't become one of 2012's biggest breakout hits.
Your turn, Fellow Addicts! Are you as addicted as I am to the world of NASHVILLE? Or were you not a fan? Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!
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