Ep 19. You Can't Lose Me

After six seasons, "Nashville" came to an end on Thursday night with an episode that featured a surprise return by one of its most beloved characters, Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). The series, which had shuffled from ABC to CMT, experienced numerous cast changes over the years, including the loss of its male lead, Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton), who died last year.

But the final episode, titled “Beyond the Sunset,” found the characters looking toward the future with a sense of hope and closure, even as some touched on the inevitable struggles that come with life.

After a season-long struggle with mental illness, Juliette returned to town to reconcile with her estranged husband, Avery (Jonathan Jackson), and daughter, Cadence. The episode centered on their journey back to each other, with Juliette taking steps to seek treatment and reconnect with her family.

Meanwhile, Deacon (Charles Esten) and the girls of the Highway 65 label awaited the results of the company’s fate, now that Zach Welles (Cameron Scoggins) had abruptly shut off its funding. But, surprise, Deacon’s old friend and business partner Gideon (Ronny Cox) arrived with a long-shot plan to save the record label.

Nashville has always had a strong emotional core, and “Beyond the Sunset” emphasized that by focusing on the characters’ relationships with each other. There was even a sequence in which the entire cast sang Beatles tunes (“Let It Be,” “Hey Jude”) around the piano in Deacon’s living room – a fitting tribute to Nashville's musical roots.

Rayna may have been missed, but the characters’ love for her was as palpable as ever. Throughout the episode, they remembered her strength, kindness, and wisdom, ultimately using those qualities to guide their decisions and relationships.

The final episode of "Nashville" was about moving forward, no matter how difficult it may be. Whether it was conquering mental illness, saving a record label, or simply fighting for one’s own happiness, the characters were determined to face their challenges head-on.

It was a satisfying conclusion to a show that had always been about more than just music. Nashville was a drama about family, friendships, and second chances - themes that resonated until the very end.