Nashville (2012)

A warm, welcome and even moving return. Best of all, a reflective one.

Nashville never strays too far from its real story--the ups and downs of glitzy stardom, with Britton and Panettiere performing their own vocals.

An irresistible blend of soapy shenanigans, domestic tension, political intrigue and catchy tunes.

It feels lived-in, confident. That's a good sign.

Nashville falls somewhere in between the two extremes, a story that thrives on heightened melodrama and big twists but gives its characters more depth than you generally find in network lather-fests.

Conflicts that would of dragged on for weeks are now resolved with economy and grace. Music is once again the show's heart and soul. [2-15 Jan 2017, p.19]

While plenty of Nashville is compelling, detailed, and beautifully acted, plenty of it feels boilerplate.