Plot

Juliette's publicist sets her up with a squeaky clean rookie football player named Sean to repair her image and Juliette dislikes him sight unseen. Rayna wants a new producer and a new sound for her new song. She picks Liam, a rock 'n roller who doesn't want to work with Rayna and who the label doesn't want. Avery's band gets some interest from two promoters, but one (Marilyn) makes it clear her interest isn't just business and comes with a price.—A. Farley

"Nashville" - "You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)" - Nov. 14, 2012

Things are on simmer tonight in Music City in four separate storylines.

First up is Juliette. It's been a few weeks since the shoplifting/mama in rehab story and McKenna has been rehabbing Juliette's image by keeping her on a short leash doing cute things like zoo photo ops with choirboy quarterbacks. She then decides Juliette should go on a date with said quarterback Sean, a rookie in the NFL. Even though Juliette is determined to sabotage it by complaining about his lack of pass completion and calling audibles, he points out that just because it's a set-up doesn't mean they can't get to know each other and be pleasant. They start to hit it off and Juliette basically dares him to let her whisk him away for some fun on her private jet. On said jet we learn he's never been drunk and that he's a big fan who knows her songs so well he can pick up the guitar sitting there and start plucking "Telescope" and singing it. They harmonize a bit and she's impressed. They arrive at a hot club in Miami and get their groove on. As they are leaving an aggressive paparazzo shouting insults about Juliette's mom raises Sean's ire and he pushes him. This, of course, results in some angry photos of Sean that would be damaging to his career. Juliette goes to the trouble of buying off the paparazzo- $25,000 for the shot and says she'll call him the next 10 times she goes out in Miami. Sold. Sean comes to visit her to say thanks and also to ask her out, or in that is, since he doesn't party. She is perplexed at this concept: a boy who likes her for who she is, wanting to legitimately hang out with her, and wanting to stay in, but she smiles and says yes.

Next up, Rayna and Bucky are so cheered by her new, self-penned tune that they want to dive into recording her new album. They bring Marshall Evans into the studio and he grudgingly admits that the song is good and gives her the go-ahead to record. She says she doesn't want to use Randy as a producer this time since she's looking to mix things up. He tells her to pick from the label-approved list of producers and they're in business. Of course, Rayna doesn't want to do this. She wants to work with rebel rock star Liam McGinnis who just relocated to Nashville and likes to do things his own way. Bucky gets her a meeting but this amounts to the two of them going over there, Liam telling her that he has nothing in common with a woman who makes pop country for moms in their SUVs and slamming the door in her face. Rayna, not one to take no for an answer, goes back the next day and basically butters him up, talking about how raw and awesome some live concert he did in Belfast was and that even though she's a mom who drives an SUV she's a songwriter with something to say and hands him the demo of her new song. He invites her in and they get to talking. Then they get to drinking. Then they get to playing. And then Rayna apparently gets to taking a cab home. With a headache and a dim memory she heads back to Liam's and asks what happened. He shows her video they shot of her swilling whiskey and singing a new version of her song that Liam produced. They both pronounce it awesome. When Rayna plays it for Marshall, however, he likes it but doesn't want her to work with Liam. She says she's just trying to make her music. He wonders why she wants to fight. She points out that she doesn't WANT to fight but she has to do what she believes in and that any label in town would likely buy out her contract. She says this is her new sound and he needs to get on board.

Meanwhile, across town, Avery and his band have drawn the interest of two people, promoter/talent scout Reed Olson and manager Marilyn Rhodes. Both come out to the 5 Spot to hear the band. Avery is hoping that Reed-- who books local openers for national touring acts that come through town-- will give them the slot with the Lumineers. Reed clearly liked them but is noncommittal, shaking Avery's hand and leaving.That's when Marilyn oozes down the bar and says Reed doesn't like anything until 10 people tell him to like it. But she, on the other hand, thinks Avery's band is great, will put in a good word with Reed for the booking and wants him to come over to talk about her managing the band. Avery, who is standing with Scarlett when this happens, is thrilled at this turn of events and the two hug. The next day Avery delivers a casserole from Scarlett to Deacon. Deacon points out he was in jail for a few hours not on his deathbed. Avery asks if Deacon knows Reed and Marilyn. He does. He says he'll put in a word with Reed but to stay away from Marilyn who is bad news. He knows. We see him run into her at the Bluebird later and learn she tried to sign him when he was younger and they have a skeevy exchange where she says she could've made him a star instead of the guy who stands behind Rayna and he says he wasn't willing to pay the "price." Gunnar overhears all of this and the next day relays it to Scarlett, just as Avery is meeting with Marilyn. Marilyn puts the moves on Avery and he gets as far as making out with her before he puts a stop to it and heads home. There he finds Scarlett packing a bag. He points out that he didn't actually cheat on her. She points out that he went over there planning to so doesn't get credit for not doing it. She shows up on Deacon's doorstep forlorn but resolute. He takes her in and apologizes for the mess that this became.

Speaking of messes, Lamar is about to make a big one. Tandy and Lamar inform Teddy that he's down in the polls and they have a plan. Teddy and Coleman are set to sign a "clean campaign" pledge in which they promise no dirty tricks. So, of course, Lamar wants to play a dirty trick. He will have Lamar stopped in a "routine" traffic violation so he will be late to the signing and Teddy can badmouth him in front of the press. Teddy reminds Lamar that he doesn't want to hurt Coleman. Lamar reminds Teddy that he said he would do what it took to become mayor and promises just a traffic stop. One problem, when the cops stops Coleman they find the bottle of Oxycontin Deacon gave him that he took from Juliette's mom. And he is arrested. (When Rayna sees this on the news after waking up with her hangover she asks Teddy what Lamar has done and he lies and says nothing.) Coleman holds a press conference where he explains that he has been sober for 19 years and that in his role as a sponsor he took the drugs off the hands of one of the people he counsels and says a drug test will prove he is clean. Later, Deacon goes to him and apologizes for his role in the mess and offers to come forward. Coleman says the whole point of the program is that it's anonymous and that it's his own fault for not throwing the pills out and that he will take care of it. Later, a private detective comes to Coleman with the incriminating photos of Teddy and Peggy. He shows the photos to his wife, agonizing over what to do, saying if he releases them it will ruin Teddy and Rayna's marriage. Audrey, his wife says that Coleman owes those people nothing. Besides which, Teddy isn't fit to be mayor and that sometimes you have to do a little wrong for the greater good.