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The Best Episodes of Nashville

Every episode of Nashville ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Nashville!

Binge this in 3d 14h•Peaking at 9.2/10

Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes face personal and professional challenges as they navigate their paths as artists and individuals. Surrounding them, and often complicating their lives, are their family, friends and, in some cases, lovers,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Nashville Season 5 Episode 10 - I'll Fly Away
    9.2/10(299 votes)

    S5:E10

    A legal dispute threatens to break apart the family. Juliette demands to perform at the CMT Music Awards. Will and Zach are drawn closer together.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Liberty Godshall

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  2. Nashville Season 5 Episode 9 - If Tomorrow Never Comes
    8.9/10(297 votes)

    S5:E9

    After her life-changing experience, Rayna scrambles to write one more song for the concept album with Deacon. Juliette's leg starts to hurt inexplicably. Gunnar fights for Scarlett.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Geoffrey Nauffts

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  3. Nashville Season 6 Episode 16 - Beyond the Sunset
    8.8/10(277 votes)

    S6:E16

    Deacon gets a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. Juliette makes a crucial decision. Daphne preps for the final round. Alannah confronts Brad. Avery, Gunnar, and Will discuss their future.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Jesse Zwick

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  4. Nashville Season 5 Episode 11 - Fire and Rain
    8.7/10(229 votes)

    S5:E11

    Juliette helps Maddie navigate the wave of attention she receives after her performance at the CMT Music Awards. Zach demands the masters from Rayna and Deacon's unfinished album.

    Director:Timothy Busfield
    Writer:Jesse Zwick

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  5. Nashville Season 1 Episode 21 - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive
    8.6/10(329 votes)

    S1:E21

    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.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Nashville Season 4 Episode 21 - Maybe You'll Appreciate Me Someday
    8.5/10(236 votes)

    S4:E21

    Rayna resorts to drastic measures when she learns that Maddie has crossed paths with a duplicitous figure from her past. Juliette must choose how to publicly reckon with the truth of Jeff Fordham’s death—a decision that directly affects Layla. Scarlett and Gunnar consider parting ways as bandmates, and Will finally decides to do what he should have done long ago—step up as the leader of a cause and a community.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writers:Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Nashville

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  7. Nashville Season 2 Episode 22 - On the Other Hand
    8.4/10(249 votes)

    S2:E22

    As Will Lexington’s album climbs the chart with the help of Jeff Fordham’s deep pockets, Rayna enlists Teddy’s help to plan a huge, free concert at LP Field to draw attention to her Highway 65 debut. She will perform with Luke Wilson and duet with Juliette before thousands of fans. Zoey, Avery and Gunnar rock out at a benefit for Deacon’s favorite charity, Sober House, and Avery plans to serenade Juliette with a song he wrote for her. But when he attempts to sing it, he doesn’t understand why she is not present, and Scarlett makes a decision about her future in Nashville.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Nashville Season 3 Episode 22 - Before You Go Make Sure You Know
    8.4/10(220 votes)

    S3:E22

    Juliette is laser-focused on finishing her album – and when she puts everything and everyone she loves behind it – Avery makes a decision that impacts their lives forever. Deacon’s life hangs in the balance, but Rayna and the girls are by his side. With the clock ticking and the future uncertain, will they celebrate a life together?

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writers:Callie Khouri, Dee Johnson

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  9. Nashville Season 5 Episode 1 - The Wayfaring Stranger
    8.4/10(273 votes)

    S5:E1

    Rayna and Deacon face a new normal with Maddie now back home and Highway 65 is struggling financially. The shocking news about Juliette creates a wave of emotions throughout Nashville and sets Rayna off on a journey of discovery.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Nashville Season 1 Episode 20 - A Picture From Life's Other Side
    8.3/10(284 votes)

    S1:E20

    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.

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Dee Johnson

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  11. Nashville Season 2 Episode 13 - It's All Wrong, But It's All Right
    8.3/10(253 votes)

    S2:E13

    Jeff is expecting Juliette to formally apologize for her behavior during her Grand Ole Opry ceremony, but at the last minute she has a change of heart and decides to standby the choices she's made. Luke introduces Rayna to a power player that could help her get her distribution deal off the ground, and then surprises her with a NASCAR that is wrapped in Rayna Jayme's graphics. Deacon is discovering his record deal might not be what he expected and Scarlett's collaboration with Liam gets off to a rocky start. Will and Layla discover they aren't all that different and find comfort in one another's company and Teddy will stop at nothing to reveal Lamar's connection to Peggy's death.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Debra Fordham

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  12. Nashville Season 2 Episode 19 - Crazy
    8.3/10(268 votes)

    S2:E19

    Maddie’s news goes viral and stirs a media frenzy including being a “Hot Topic” on “The View,” and the real-life Ladies of “The View”— Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Jenny McCarthy and Barbara Walters guest-star as themselves. Rayna tries to manage the fallout by going on “Good Morning America” and real-life anchor Robin Roberts guest stars as herself. When Juliette faces more empty seats on her tour, she reaches out to Charlie Wentworth (Charlie Bewley) for a favor, and Scarlett’s mother, Beverly surprises her daughter in San Francisco

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Debra Fordham

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  13. Nashville Season 3 Episode 10 - First to Have a Second Chance
    8.3/10(236 votes)

    S3:E10

    Rayna is feeling conflicted about leaving the children behind to go back on tour. Sadie runs into a former partner.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writers:Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin

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  14. Nashville Season 5 Episode 22 - Reasons to Quit
    8.3/10(150 votes)

    S5:E22

    With Deacon and the artists of Highway 65 taking a stand, Zach sends a message. Maddie and Juliette's conflict comes to a head. Daphne goes to a pool party. Gunnar returns from Avery's tour.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Scott Saccoccio

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  15. Nashville Season 2 Episode 10 - Tomorrow Never Comes
    8.2/10(247 votes)

    S2:E10

    Juliette is the main act at Teddy’s first annual Music City Festival, but the blowback by the fans and press over the Wentworths throws her for a loop and drags down the event. She demands that Glenn find out who leaked career-killing gossip to the tabloids so she can get ahead of the bad press by calling them out. Rayna is determined to buy herself out of her Edgehill contract once and for all, even though Tandy and Luke counsel otherwise. Should she risk all her assets on Highway 65? Deacon and Gunnar find themselves marginalized at the Festival and team up to to put on an unauthorized show, and Scarlett is freezing out Zoey and Gunnar but drawing closer to Avery.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin

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  16. Nashville Season 2 Episode 18 - Your Wild Life's Gonna Get You Down
    8.2/10(234 votes)

    S2:E18

    Rayna plays a mini-set on Luke’s tour, and her girls meet his son, Colt, a moody teenager who has a big social media following. Juliette’s growing jealous of Avery’s connection to Scarlett and takes it out on her while they tour together to help raise awareness of Highway 65. Will and Layla make a plan that Gunnar refuses to support, and Teddy forbids Maddie from attending Deacon’s latest concert

    Director:Julie Hébert
    Writer:David Gould

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  17. Nashville Season 4 Episode 3 - How Can I Help You Say Goodbye
    8.2/10(210 votes)

    S4:E3

    A second aneurysm leaves Beverly brain dead and Deacon consumed with guilt, while Scarlett is forced to decide whether or not to keep Beverly on life support. Meanwhile, Juliette continues a destructive pattern of erratic behavior, pushing Avery to make the heart-wrenching decision to file for divorce.

    Director:Stephen Cragg
    Writer:Debra Fordham

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  18. Nashville Season 4 Episode 6 - Please Help Me, I'm Fallin'
    8.2/10(195 votes)

    S4:E6

    Juliette gets into a brawl with a fan that goes viral, but Jeff sees damage control as an opening for his own career. Maddie is grounded and misses Colt who is on tour with his dad. Markus butts heads with Rayna over his sound, and the two consider whether they can continue working together.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Taylor Hamra

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  19. Nashville Season 5 Episode 8 - Stand Beside Me
    8.2/10(189 votes)

    S5:E8

    Rayna and Deacon take precautions as Hockney tests the limits of the restraining order. Juliette asks the church choir to work with her on an album. Scarlett finds herself drawn to Damien.

    Director:Mike Binder
    Writer:Matthew Ross

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  20. Nashville Season 5 Episode 19 - You Can't Lose Me
    8.2/10(155 votes)

    S5:E19

    Juliette takes great pains to keep Maddie from learning the truth. Deacon considers a new artist for Highway 65. Scarlett's pregnancy faces complications and Gunnar searches for the mugger.

    Director:Jesse Zwick
    Writer:Savannah Dooley

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  21. Nashville Season 5 Episode 21 - Farther On
    8.2/10(145 votes)

    S5:E21

    Juliette shoots a mascara commercial but takes issue with the direction. Deacon gets invited to play the Opry but hesitates to answer. Avery and Gunnar embrace life on the road.

    Director:Michael Lohmann
    Writer:Liberty Godshall

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  22. Nashville Season 3 Episode 8 - You're Lookin' at Country
    8.1/10(218 votes)

    S3:E8

    While attending the 48th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Rayna discovers Luke's prenuptial agreement.

    Directors:Eric Close, Joe DeMaio
    Writer:Geoffrey Nauffts

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  23. Nashville Season 3 Episode 15 - That's the Way Love Goes
    8.1/10(233 votes)

    S3:E15

    The Grand Ole Opry honors Rayna on a special anniversary, so she asks Deacon and her daughters to sing with her. Meanwhile, Will's distressed to be collaborating with a gay man on a songwriting project and Sadie shares her private ordeal on national TV.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Callie Khouri

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  24. Nashville Season 4 Episode 11 - Forever and for Always
    8.1/10(195 votes)

    S4:E11

    It’s the wedding viewers have longed for when Deacon and Rayna tie the knot, complete with captivating music performances by series regulars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella as well as cameos by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts and singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale portraying themselves. When the loving couple are ambushed by paparazzi after their intimate rehearsal dinner, Deacon’s hot-headed reaction casts a pall on the plans and forces a change of venue. Meanwhile, wedding guest Avery is struggling to keep up with the lies Juliette is forcing him to message to press in her absence.

    Director:Stephen Cragg
    Writers:Dana Greenblatt, Monica Macer

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  25. Nashville Season 1 Episode 7 - Lovesick Blues
    8.0/10(333 votes)

    S1:E7

    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.

    Director:Mimi Leder
    Writer:Wendy Calhoun

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Best Episodes Summary

"I'll Fly Away" is the best rated episode of "Nashville". It scored 9.2/10 based on 299 votes. Directed by Dan Lerner and written by Liberty Godshall, it aired on 3/2/2017. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "If Tomorrow Never Comes".