Warning: major spoilers ahead for the series finale of Nashville, “Maybe You'll Appreciate Me Someday.”
So, tonight marked the end of ABC’s four season journey into the lives, loves, friendships and misadventures of the country music royalty and wannabes of Nashville. The series got a surprise cancellation notice from the network earlier this month, and now that all the fans have seen the final minutes of the show, many of them are probably asking “What the holy HELL?! Are you really leaving us with a giant cliffhanger like that??” It turns out that the answer is a resounding yes, and it also turns out that it wasn’t exactly a mistake, either. The show’s Oscar-winning creator, Callie Khouri, has something to say about the show’s end.
We have stories left to tell and songs left to sing.
Callie Khouri spoke to Deadline about the show’s finale on ABC tonight and, before your eyes gloss over from thinking she was being professional and philosophical about her baby being unceremoniously yanked off the air, she was not. Khouri and the lead studio behind Nahsville, Lionsgate TV, are currently making a strong bid to keep the series alive by shopping it around to other networks, to see if a fifth season could be aired elsewhere. And, according to Deadline’s report, the giant cliffhanger that saw Avery and baby Cadence waiting at the airport for Juliette to arrive, only to be told that the air traffic controllers had lost contact with Juliette’s plane, was shown completely on purpose.
At first glance it might seem like a cliffhanger ending for a show like this would be a given, since the cancellation was just announced and it would make sense that the cast and crew hadn’t had the time to construct a satisfying ending for the series. But, apparently, the show did have time to film a true series finale that would have left fans happier, but erred on the side of not showing it, to keep the fans outraged at the cancellation and potential new networks eager to pick up ABC’s lost audience.
Well, I have to say, that is quite the ballsy move, Nashville. People behind the show are clearly determined to keep the show going into Season 5, and the fans are glad of that. Since the show’s cancellation was announced, the #BringBackNashville social media campaign has grown by leaps and bounds, with a change.org petition to get Season 5 on the air currently at 111,857 supporters.
If you’re too sad right now over the thought that there might not be a Javery reunion to join in the fight to save Nashville, it’s OK. You can put on your favorite soundtrack from the show and browse our summer TV premiere schedule until the fog lifts a little.
