Synopsis:

After Rayna reveals Jeff's indiscretions to the board members, Edgehill Republic begins to fall apart; Deacon considers a clinical trial; Scarlett reconnects with Gunnar; Juliette poses for a magazine spread.

(From ABC)
After Rayna forced Jeff’s hand by revealing his indiscretions to the board members, Edgehill Republic begins to crumble along with Jeff’s career. Later, Deacon considers a clinical trial he may be eligible for to receive alternative treatment. To cope with her stress, Scarlett turns to writing again and reconnects with Gunnar, who’s doing the same. Avery begins work producing Sadie’s new album, while Juliette keeps busy by posing for a Vogue Magazine spread. Then finally, Sadie opens up to Rayna about her ex-husband.

(Recap From ABC)
Jeff (Oliver Hudson)’s departure from Edgehill has bigger ramifications than Rayna's (Connie Britton) personal pleasure in seeing him ousted. Following his dismissal, the media company that owns the label decides to dissolve it, leaving artists like Luke Wheeler (Will Chase) and Will Lexington (Chris Carmack) without representation.

A newly unemployed Jeff, who has been holed up at Layla's (Aubrey Peeple) apartment, sees this as his big opportunity to get back into the business. He approaches Luke about starting up a label—with Jeff fronting the business side of things, of course.

Luke agrees but only after having an awkward elevator run-in with Rayna, where he accuses his ex of enjoying Edgehill’s fall, and of never looking back once she left the label. Wait, we’re still talking about Edgehill and not your failed relationship with Rayna, right, Luke? He moves forward with plans for launching a label, signing Will but dumping Jeff once he realizes no one in the business will work with him.

Meanwhile, Rayna also tries to pick up a few of Edgehill’s artists for Highway 65 but only has luck signing Layla, whom she thinks has a unique voice that deserves to be heard. We have a feeling she might not be so excited about her new artist once she discovers that Jeff is her manager!

Rayna is also busy helping Sadie (Laura Benanti) deal with the lawsuit that her ex-husband Pete has filed against her, claiming that he’s entitled to back-money from Sadie’s first album. Since the napkin contract they signed years ago is technically valid, and Sadie can’t work on her new album until the matter is settled, Rayna’s lawyer advises them to settle, which they do by giving Pete a sizeable amount of money.

Elsewhere, Deacon (Charles Esten) passes up on the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial that may eliminate his tumor, preferring to wait for a donor instead. Scarlett (Clare Bowen) begins to crack under the pressure of having to suffer through Deacon’s diagnosis in silence, so Gunnar (Sam Palladio)—who catches her crying—suggests they team up with Avery (Jonathan Jackson) to play together once again. The session cheers up Scarlett, who feels emboldened enough to ask out Deacon’s doctor.

Teddy (Eric Close), on the other hand, is busy trying to kill any connection he may still have to Natasha (Moniqua Plante), the prostitute he inadvertently slept with. He discovers where she lives and shows up at her front door, demanding they come up with a cover story about how they met. What he doesn’t know is that Natasha is under surveillance, and a team camped outside her home records their entire interaction!