BWW Recap: Laura Benanti Steps Into the Drama and Dither of NASHVILLE

While I'm always excited for 9:00 PM on Wednesdays to roll around, tonight was particularly exciting for this self-proclaimed Broadway fanatic- and unless you've been loving under a rock these past few weeks, it's not hard to guess why. Broadway royalty, otherwise known as Tony winner Ms. Laura Benanti (who is also a fan of the show, I may add), officially made her long-awaited appearance on NASHVILLE (alongside Broadway veteran and seasoned cast member Will Chase), which begs the question, "Is there anything she can't do?" Apparently not.

Check out BWW TV World's conversation with Laura about joining the NASHVILLE cast, and Connit Britton's hair.

Amongst Deacon's lovesick stupor, Juliette's unplanned pregnancy (at which point I should mention that Hayden Panettiere is already visibly pregnant, and the camera tricks used to hide this are less-than-subtle), and Will's chart-topping (and a bit shocking) victory over Rayna, comes songwriter and soon-to-be country music superstar Sadie Stone.

And with one new female taking the spotlight onstage, comes another into the Bluebird Café. New addition Nadine, a waitress at the Bluebird and obvious potential love interest for the newly-single and visibly bitter Avery, wastes no time flirting and getting out of him that he is, in fact, single. Oh, and hooking up (not a rebound at all, right?) But of course, one budding relationship isn't enough for the writers of NASHVILLE, as we see Scarlett and Gunnar rekindling their impressive writing partnership. With Zoey about to hit the road for her music gig, it doesn't take much (as reflected in the look on Zoey's face) to see the stars realigning for the songwriting duo.

On the side of reality, it is a breath of fresh air to finally see Maddie treat Deacon as something other than a flawless, can-do-no-wrong saint. Upset and disappointed at her mother's choice of marrying Luke (and if I'm being honest, I am right there with her), Maddie unleashes some of that teenage angst usually reserved for Teddy. Well, someone had to voice frustration over Rayna's decision, right? This father-daughter relationship finally took a trip a bit closer to earth, unraveling Deacon's secret proposal, and opening the door for some second chances, in the process. Team Deacon- have no fear. Rayna's reaction to Luke's assumption that she only needs to worry about being Mrs. Wheeler is enough to get the Deacon/Rayna train back in motion.

Avery and Juliette's screaming match 45 minutes into the episode gave us the most excitement and, dare I say, passion of the night. Please don't tell me I'm the only one that thinks these two are perfect for each other. Avery's tears and Juliette's temper made for one of the most memorable scenes of the evening. And what would a drama be without some blackmail? Enter Layla, jealous, frustrated, and upset by her dwindling career, and determined to piggyback off of her husband Will's success. The side of Layla usually reserved for Juliette Barnes came back with a vengeance, ready to smile for the cameras, play happy family, and pretty much make Will's personal life a living hell. And I love it all.

And just when I though I was a bit hesitant that the season was starting up a little too predictably- we get the first bombshell of the season. Juliette's baby? It's Avery's. Call me thrilled. I'm more than ready for some more jaw-dropping, need-to-rewind-and-watch-that-again shocking moments that we all know NASHVILLE is capable of. But in the meantime, an 11 o'clock pregnancy shocker and two talented Broadway stars trading New York for Nashville doesn't hurt, either.

Check out a promo for next week's episode, featuring Dancing With the Stars' Derek Hough, below:

Photo Credit: ABC