As ABC promoted Nashville, and as I watched the trailers and read reviews, I actually grew excited and curious about what this show would become. I generally enjoy a musical show. I watched the entire first season of Smash (mostly for Vulture's hilarious recaps, but also because sometimes, on a rare brief occasion, it was actually entertaining) and I stuck with Glee way past its peak. I am definitely not a country fan in any sense, but the promise that Nashville was more about the industry than about randomly breaking into twangy song and musical numbers meant I could feasibly put my personal tastes aside. The show also offers a sense of soap and camp which, again, is not necessarily something I respond to (unless done right). So Nashville had a lot going against it. And it is a testament to how much I admire Connie Britton that I gave the pilot a shot. And against all odds, I am really enjoying the show way more than I expected to.
Nashville presents an interesting insight on the music industry today, has fantastic lead performances from not only Connie Britton, but Hayden Panettiere as well, and it is particularly refreshing to see a show filmed in an American city that often gets overlooked. Heck, I'm even enjoying the political subplot because I am a sucker for politics and Powers Booth is just perfect in this role.
Again, I am by no means a country fan, but I genuinely liked the acoustic duet in the pilot. I'm also enjoying how the awful pop-country songs are juxtaposed with genuinely well-written refined Country music (with a capital C). It just adds another layer to the story. It is also refreshing that characters are not randomly breaking out into song. The music and the performances serve a purpose to the plot and character, but they also happen in a matter-of-fact way. These characters exist in the music industry so performances and music videos are bound to happen. And so far the musical performances are used in the same way football games were used on Friday Night Lights. It's a way to bring all the characters together at the same place while reflecting on what that moment means for each of them. And so far this has been executed quite well.
As for Hayden Panettiere, I think she is enjoying this seductress role of hers. Her character isn't just a villan. She is also presented with a desire to mature personally and professionally. The steps she takes towards this maturity is quite destructive, but she's a damaged character with lots of emotional baggage to sort through. And I believe Panettiere is doing a great job thus far. I have spoken to many people who are not Panettiere fans, but I have personally never had a problem with her. Claire on Heroes and Kirby in Scream 4 were two of the best characters in each respective project. And I'm looking forward to what else she does with Juliette Barnes (even if she is a main source of the show's soap). As for Connie Britton? I think we all already know how I feel about her and she is in top form as Rayna James.
Against all odds and expectation, I am thoroughly enjoying Nashville. However, it is currently walking the fine line between a genuinely good show and a soapy one. And I have a feeling they are going to one day fully embrace their camp. I will be very disappointed when that happens, but until then, I am considering Nashville my favorite new show this fall. On the other hand, I've made false assumptions about this show in the past, so hey...what do I really know?
Nashville presents an interesting insight on the music industry today, has fantastic lead performances from not only Connie Britton, but Hayden Panettiere as well, and it is particularly refreshing to see a show filmed in an American city that often gets overlooked. Heck, I'm even enjoying the political subplot because I am a sucker for politics and Powers Booth is just perfect in this role.
Again, I am by no means a country fan, but I genuinely liked the acoustic duet in the pilot. I'm also enjoying how the awful pop-country songs are juxtaposed with genuinely well-written refined Country music (with a capital C). It just adds another layer to the story. It is also refreshing that characters are not randomly breaking out into song. The music and the performances serve a purpose to the plot and character, but they also happen in a matter-of-fact way. These characters exist in the music industry so performances and music videos are bound to happen. And so far the musical performances are used in the same way football games were used on Friday Night Lights. It's a way to bring all the characters together at the same place while reflecting on what that moment means for each of them. And so far this has been executed quite well.
As for Hayden Panettiere, I think she is enjoying this seductress role of hers. Her character isn't just a villan. She is also presented with a desire to mature personally and professionally. The steps she takes towards this maturity is quite destructive, but she's a damaged character with lots of emotional baggage to sort through. And I believe Panettiere is doing a great job thus far. I have spoken to many people who are not Panettiere fans, but I have personally never had a problem with her. Claire on Heroes and Kirby in Scream 4 were two of the best characters in each respective project. And I'm looking forward to what else she does with Juliette Barnes (even if she is a main source of the show's soap). As for Connie Britton? I think we all already know how I feel about her and she is in top form as Rayna James.
Against all odds and expectation, I am thoroughly enjoying Nashville. However, it is currently walking the fine line between a genuinely good show and a soapy one. And I have a feeling they are going to one day fully embrace their camp. I will be very disappointed when that happens, but until then, I am considering Nashville my favorite new show this fall. On the other hand, I've made false assumptions about this show in the past, so hey...what do I really know?
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