Ep 2. Back In Baby's Arms

As the second episode of Nashville's fifth season, "Back In Baby's Arms" picks up where the first left off following Juliette Barnes' plane crash. After being absent for most of the season premiere, viewers finally see Juliette's rescue as she is airlifted to a hospital. Deacon and Rayna, now married, have to deal with the shock of the incident as well as supporting their daughters, Maddie and Daphne, during this difficult time.

Meanwhile, issues arise for Highway 65 as Scarlett struggles to find a new artist to work with after her last protégé left the label. Rayna decides to take matters into her own hands and heads to New York City to try and sign a promising young musician named Markus Keen played by Riley Smith who may be the key to reviving the struggling label. This sets up a potential opportunity for an exciting new storyline for the show.

At the same time, Maddie is struggling with her own musical career. Despite her father's warnings, she decides to record a new song with an up-and-coming musician named Clay. However, the collaboration creates friction between Maddie and her parents, leading to an emotional confrontation between the family members.

Another important development in this episode is the return of Will Lexington, who has been on hiatus from music following some personal struggles. Will is ready to get back to his career, but struggles to find his place in the industry as a gay artist. Rayna offers him a job as a songwriter at Highway 65, but Will is more interested in pursuing his own music. As he tries to navigate his way back into the music scene, Will begins to question whether he can truly be himself as a gay country artist.

As always, the relationships between the characters continue to evolve and grow over the course of the episode. Avery is adjusting to fatherhood and struggling with his new role as a single parent while his ex-wife, Juliette, is still recovering in the hospital. The arrival of Markus and the conflict between Maddie and her parents put stress on Rayna and Deacon's marriage, causing them to question the balance between their personal lives and their careers.

Overall, "Back In Baby's Arms" sets the stage for an exciting new season of Nashville full of drama, heartache and triumphs. The stakes are higher than ever as the characters deal with major life changes, including unexpected obstacles and opportunities. This episode gives viewers a glimpse of what's to come for their favorite characters, and sets up a number of intriguing storylines that are sure to keep audiences hooked.