Nashville Season 1, Episode 13 Promo Analysis: Whose Career May Be Over?

We could make guesses and talk about the what ifs, but if you look closely enough, you can tell what’s about to happen on Nashville in Season 1, Episode 13, “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight.” Namely, we just want to sit down with a bag of popcorn and watch Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) and Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) use their unique talents to destroy their tour in different ways. Here’s what’s happening in our (exhaustive) frame-by-frame breakdown of the promo.

Juliette: “I am a multi-million dollar industry, and it is about time that I took control of it.”

Juliette sang a song in Episode 12 in a billowy white shirt and got huge response from YouTube fans. Expect more hipster clothes and less glitter in the future, she’s yelling at Glenn.

Voiceover: “On the biggest tour of the year”

We can understand wanting to break out of the leather-shorted limelight and sit comfortably on someone’s grandmother’s antique stool while the fog machine atrophies backstage. But it is a good look for her...

Juliette: “Whatever I say gets done!”

Frankly, we would have been surprised if Juliette’s first act as Queen of her own world wasn’t to yell at her minions. But from the looks of those girls, her backup dancers are all “I gotta pay my cable bill, so...”

Voiceover: “The pressure is mounting.”

Good on Connie Britton for really letting the ugly-crying forces loose. Let’s review: She made out with Deacon (Charles Esten) and then, when she was expecting him to come by to “talk,” Teddy (Eric Close) showed up all post-coital and was like “bounce, woman.” Rough.

Rayna: “Teddy asked me for a divorce.”

Good riddance. That guy’s a drag.

Rayna: “My life is a hot mess right now.”

Oh, hello Liam hot guitarist and producing genius. Glad to see you’re back. But Rayna, we need to talk about that hat.

Rayna: “I’m about to go out on stage, this is really not good timing.”

Reason #47 we don’t answer our phones: There’s always a multi-million dollar stage show just moments away. But who could it be? Teddy? A divorce lawyer? Nah, we’re thinking it’s the record label. Since Rayna decided to start her own label, we can’t imagine Edgefield is stoked.

MC: “Miss Rayna Jaaaaaaames!”
Okay, a lot of shots were spliced together, so we just picked through them so you don’t miss anything. Here goes:

That's Rayna daughter who is peeking behind a door. So, either Teddy has brought their girls to visit mama on tour, or Rayna has to head home to face her divorce. Meaning, even though the parents don’t think they know, their daughters definitely know something is wrong. Kids.

Either Rayna and Deacon are talking about their kiss (finally), and are moving forward, or Rayna just told him about Liam. Or maybe global warming.

Flashback to more Rayna-Liam and that hat. It looks like a bar (more on that later). Considering how badly things ended, we’re wondering if Liam just agreed to come over to help Rayna with her label.

Ah, so there’s the source of that hat. (Shakes fist at fedoras.) Did this come before the kisses and bar or after? Is Liam dropping her off or picking her up from the hotel? You tell us.

Deacon sees Liam and Rayna’s interaction. Verdict? Classic stoic face. We’ll say it for you, Deac: one woman, twelve heartstrings. This calls for a jam-off.

Ah, so Rayna and Teddy finally came clean to the girls. That always goes well.

Deacon and his face make an appearance outside of what seems to be a dressing room, based on all the people turned inward, looking business-y. Whose is it: Rayna’s or Juliette’s?

Uh oh, Juliette does not look happy (again), and it looks like her manager, Glenn, is on the receiving end of that death stare. Doesn’t seem like he’s quick to jump on the train of her new ideas and control.

Voiceover: “And one moment...”

Rayna freezes onstage, which is not great. Cute top though.

Deacon: “Something’s wrong!”
Voiceover: “... could end a career”

Still, with that face, Deacon says what everyone’s thinking: This can’t be good. Rayna freezes onstage, or so we think from the way it’s been set up. But based on the language they chose to use, we’re wondering if it’s really Juliette who goes over the deep end.