Back in the Saddle Again

Did they change writers again? This return of the show mid-season is a new low for the series, in my opinion. Nashville has been one of my favorite dramas of all time over the years, but it has sunk into a pathetic mess of depressing story lines in this episode. Maybe they've run out of brilliant moments and inspirational, heart-warming ideas. I'm seriously considering hanging up my hat on this show and moving on. I just hate to have this episode be my final memory of Nashville. On a more positive note, there were two redeeming factors: 1) The amazing song that Maddie is producing, and 2) Charles Esten -- who has the most emotional depth as a male actor that I've ever seen, and whose presence on the show is its most enduring quality at this point.