Two episodes into its debut season, Nashville is showing it is more than a honkier tonkier Dallas. In ABC’s Nashville, dreams are born, hopes crushed, love entangled, friendships betrayed, and alliances bargained. It is only fitting that a show set in the home of country music would set gritty characters and intriguing storylines to a soundtrack of haunting and catchy country songs.

 This drama and its music is worth its weight in rhinestones and leather.

The Show: Nashville follows the trajectory of two rival stars at opposites ends of the spectrum in music, age and men. But equally matched in beauty and tenacity. This could get real interesting, real fast.

The Women: Connie Britton is Rayna Jaymes, the reigning queen of country. She is a glam and tough musician and minivan-driving mother and wife, holding onto her professional and personal empire.

Time Out***

• Connie Britton is a total MILF. How can you not love her? If you’ve seen Friday Night Lights, you know what I mean. Britton’s beauty is stunning and inviting, not contrived or intimidating. In her acting, she is not just playing a role, she IS Tami. She is Rayna. You like her, you want to be her.

Hayden Panettiere — who starred in NBC’s “Heroes” as the mutant cheerleader who saved the world – plays a pint-sized country princess. But beware, she is not all lollipops and cotton candy. This viper will flash you a mega-watt smile and a “bless your heart” just before she strikes the death blow. Sex is her weapon and she knows how to use it.  But like everything and everyone in Nashville, all that glitters is not gold and beneath her icy exterior is a story of woe and heartbreak.

For the time being, Rayna and Juliette are cordial enemies but the battle lines are quickly getting drawn in music and men. Juliette is a girl that gets what she wants, and Rayna has what she wants. No doubt, Juliette will realize she’s getting a little big for her britches. After all, Rayna earned her country music crown and you don’t mess with the queen without a royal smackdown.

Stay tuned, next we’ll talk about the men of Nashville. Let’s just say after watching, you’ll understand the warning, “momma, don’t let your boys grow up to be cowboys.” Cowboys can be bad boys and we all know how irresistible those can be.

Nashville Wednesday 10/9 c

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