Nashville

10 Best Episodes of Nashville - Season 1

The lives and tragedies of rising and fading country music stars in Nashville, Tennessee.

Written by Sophie and last updated on nov 20, 2022.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Nashville - S1E6

#15 - You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave) (Season 1 - Episode 6)

Rayna wants to change her sound and seeks out the help of a highly successful music producer, Liam McGuinnis; Juliette goes on a sham date with a squeaky-clean NFL quarterback as a PR move for her tarnished image; meanwhile, Lamar's plan to delay Coleman with a police traffic stop on his way to an important photo op for both candidates works too well, and Scarlett's relationship with Avery gets rocky.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 297 votes.

Nashville - S1E10

#14 - I'm Sorry for You, My Friend (Season 1 - Episode 10)

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Rayna and Juliette get ready to perform in San Diego in their first arena concert on the same bill. Rayna finds that working without Deacon is too disruptive and makes an interesting proposal to Liam, while Juliette sends Sean a message through the press. Gunnar takes a road trip to Austin to visit his brother, and Scarlett tags along for the ride so she can catch Deacon's performance in Texas with the Revel Kings. Meanwhile Avery makes his move to sign with Dominic, and Teddy and Coleman's campaigns find them in a dead heat.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 294 votes.

Nashville - S1E4

#13 - We Live in Two Different Worlds (Season 1 - Episode 4)

Rayna and Teddy's relationship is tested when Rayna performs with Deacon at Teddy's campaign fundraiser and a woman from Teddy's past (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) shows up with a secret. Meanwhile, Juliette tries to burnish her image with an appearance on "Good Morning America" and is interviewed by Robin Roberts; Gunnar makes a connection with his publisher's assistant, Hailey; and Teddy and Coleman agree to take the moral high ground during the campaign -- but will it last?

The episode was rated 7.78 from 346 votes.

Nashville - S1E9

#12 - Be Careful of Stones That You Throw (Season 1 - Episode 9)

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Rayna and Juliette are locked for their tour. When Rayna suggests taking her girls with her, she finds that Lamar's not above holding her hostage with some long forgotten family secrets. To everyone's surprise Juliette and Sean have eloped, though not everyone is celebrating. Deacon reconnects with a former flame, and Avery follows the advice of a new music producer that puts more space between him, the band and Scarlett.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 288 votes.

Nashville - S1E3

#11 - Someday You'll Call My Name (Season 1 - Episode 3)

Rayna immerses herself in her kids' lives and her husband's campaign, and is sobered to learn that she and Teddy are facing financial ruin; Juliette offers Deacon an exclusive contract to write and tour with her; and Juliette's troubled mother, Jolene, re-enters her daughter's life in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Gunnar's big break with Watty is threatened.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 369 votes.

Nashville - S1E11

#10 - You Win Again (Season 1 - Episode 11)

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Edgehill Records celebrates the success of “Wrong Song” with a lavish party attended by Rayna, Juliette and real-life country stars including Brantley Gilbert and Chris Young (who cameo as themselves). But the party gets awkward for Juliette, who brings her mom along, and for Rayna when she’s aggressively pursued by Calista, an exec from a competing record label. Meanwhile Teddy confronts Rayna about his suspicions over her relationship with Liam, Gunnar deals with family issues and Avery gets too comfortable with his newfound success.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 306 votes.

Nashville - S1E14

#9 - Dear Brother (Season 1 - Episode 14)

Juliette plans a surprise birthday party for Deacon, which is attended by real-life country stars Dan Auerbach, Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Kate York and Kip Moore. During the celebration, Rayna sings, backed up by Pam Tillis and Kate York as themselves, Watty White and Adria. However, Juliette's own performance is derailed by her mother. As Rayna and Teddy's divorce moves forward, the tabloids move in, speculating about Rayna's cheating and thrusting her children into the spotlight; Teddy decides to bring Peggy into his mayoral fold and holds a press conference to make it look like it's all business; and Gunnar's brother charms Scarlett with his singing.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 278 votes.

Nashville - S1E7

#8 - Lovesick Blues (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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Marshall Evans continues to pressure Rayna and Juliette to collaborate at an event at the Ryman theater, Teddy is forced to reveal the truth to Rayna when Peggy's desperation hits its peak, and in an effort to move past her failed relationship with Avery, Scarlett finds herself getting closer to Gunnar.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 306 votes.

Nashville - S1E13

#7 - There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight (Season 1 - Episode 13)

Rayna finds comfort in the arms of an old friend after revealing to Daphne and Maddie her plans to divorce. Juliette is invigorated by the response to her new sound and takes steps to reinvent herself -- against the guidance of her management. Things are looking up for Scarlett and Gunnar when Rayna makes an offer to sign them to her label. While their hard work begins to show signs of success, Avery struggles to find his old sound and is forced to consider an attractive offer.

The episode was rated 7.86 from 283 votes.

Nashville - S1E16

#6 - I Saw the Light (Season 1 - Episode 16)

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Rayna takes her children and sister with her on tour in NYC, but Rayna doesn’t like the influence Juliette is having on her daughters. Meanwhile Dante gives Juliette some career guidance that helps her see him in a whole new way; Deacon’s feelings for Stacey force him to reconsider his life on the road; a hunky new neighbor, Will, befriends Gunnar and Scarlett; Gunnar is thrown by Scarlett’s hiding information from him; Lamar threatens Peggy; and Avery jeopardizes his own future.

The episode was rated 7.86 from 285 votes.

Nashville - S1E18

#5 - Take These Chains From My Heart (Season 1 - Episode 18)

Liam invites Rayna to run away with him to finish her album, and Deacon is surprised by his own reaction, as well as Stacy’s accusations; Jolene warns Juliette about Dante’s loyalty, which only drives the two women further apart; Teddy faces off with Peggy about the leaks, and in the wake of her father’s illness, Tandy proposes a new alliance to Coleman. Meanwhile Gunnar tries out some new music, and Avery and Scarlett reconnect.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 285 votes.

Nashville - S1E19

#4 - Why Don't You Love Me (Season 1 - Episode 19)

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Rayna and Juliette are both nominated for CMA Awards and Edgehill Records hosts a party in their honor. Meanwhile Teddy worries about his relationship with Maddie, Juliette copes with new challenges, Scarlett is concerned about Gunnar, and tension grows between him and Will.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 284 votes.

Nashville - S1E12

#3 - I've Been Down That Road Before (Season 1 - Episode 12)

Rayna begins to settle into the tour when she discovers that Deacon has joined Juliette's band on the road, and she can't help but think that maybe the time has come to make some hard decisions. But will a heart to heart with Deacon help ease the sting of the revelation? Meanwhile Juliette is tired of her bubble gum pop success and is interested in exposing who she really is, though her team is convinced that will damage her commercial success. And Scarlett is counting pennies to keep her head above water -- until Gunnar makes her an offer she can't refuse.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 282 votes.

Nashville - S1E20

#2 - A Picture From Life's Other Side (Season 1 - Episode 20)

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Rayna finds an unlikely ally in Lamar when he sides with her against Teddy about the girls. Jolene sees Juliette struggling and tries to find a way to help. Avery and Will, separately, both get a chance to shine with bigger stars -- but will it translate to career gold? And Tandy takes her own agenda to the board of Wyatt Industries.

The episode was rated 8.19 from 289 votes.

Nashville - S1E21

#1 - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive (Season 1 - Episode 21)

A shadow has been cast over country music’s biggest night: Juliette discovers a letter from Jolene revealing her mother’s true feelings; Rayna and Deacon’s fairytale evening at the CMA Awards, even performing with Brad Paisley – who guest stars as himself — may not end in a happily-ever-after; and Gunnar will do whatever it takes to win Scarlett’s heart back — but is it too late? Meanwhile the U.S. Attorney’s office is closing in on Teddy, and Peggy returns with a secret of her own.

The episode was rated 8.23 from 319 votes.

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