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The Best Episodes of Nashville Season 5

Every episode of Nashville Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Nashville Season 5!

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Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes face personal and professional challenges as they navigate their paths as artists and individuals. Surrounding them, and often complicating their lives, are their family, friends and, in some cases, lovers,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Nashville Season 5 Episode 1 - The Wayfaring Stranger
    8.4/10(263 votes)

    #1 - The Wayfaring Stranger

    S5:E1

    Rayna and Deacon face a new normal with Maddie now back home and Highway 65 is struggling financially. The shocking news about Juliette creates a wave of emotions throughout Nashville and sets Rayna off on a journey of discovery.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Nashville Season 5 Episode 2 - Back in Baby's Arms
    7.7/10(186 votes)

    #2 - Back in Baby's Arms

    S5:E2

    Rayna approaches Deacon about making a concept album together, Scarlett can't trust Gunnar and Juliette seeks out her guardian angel.

    Director:Stephen Cragg
    Writer:Callie Khouri

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  3. Nashville Season 5 Episode 3 - Let's Put It Back Together Again
    8.0/10(173 votes)

    #3 - Let's Put It Back Together Again

    S5:E3

    Maddie starts an internship at a recording studio and meets a street musician. Avery struggles while producing a young Internet sensation. Juliette meets her guardian angel.

    Director:Mike Binder
    Writer:Geoffrey Nauffts

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  4. Nashville Season 5 Episode 4 - Leap of Faith
    7.7/10(169 votes)

    #4 - Leap of Faith

    S5:E4

    Rayna receives a stunning offer from Zach Welles. Juliette seeks advanced treatment. Will and Kevin look for an apartment together.

    Director:Lily Mariye
    Writer:Savannah Dooley

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  5. Nashville Season 5 Episode 5 - Love Hurts
    7.7/10(174 votes)

    #5 - Love Hurts

    S5:E5

    Scarlett and Damien George fight over their differences. Clay shows Maddie a different part of town.

    Director:Ron Lagomarsino
    Writer:Jesse Zwick

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  6. Nashville Season 5 Episode 6 - A Little Bit Stronger
    7.8/10(172 votes)

    #6 - A Little Bit Stronger

    S5:E6

    Rayna and Deacon beef up their home security after Rayna's encounter with Carl Hockney. Juliette draws closer to her guardian angel, Hallie and Avery leaps back into performing.

    Director:Stephen Cragg
    Writer:Richard Kramer

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  7. Nashville Season 5 Episode 7 - Hurricane
    7.5/10(171 votes)

    #7 - Hurricane

    S5:E7

    Rayna and Deacon struggle to write their album. Maddie and Daphne create a disturbance at home. Damien apologizes to Scarlett. Scarlett and Gunnar question their relationship.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Liberty Godshall

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  8. Nashville Season 5 Episode 8 - Stand Beside Me
    8.2/10(180 votes)

    #8 - Stand Beside Me

    S5:E8

    Rayna and Deacon take precautions as Hockney tests the limits of the restraining order. Juliette asks the church choir to work with her on an album. Scarlett finds herself drawn to Damien.

    Director:Mike Binder
    Writer:Matthew Ross

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  9. Nashville Season 5 Episode 9 - If Tomorrow Never Comes
    8.9/10(284 votes)

    #9 - If Tomorrow Never Comes

    S5:E9

    After her life-changing experience, Rayna scrambles to write one more song for the concept album with Deacon. Juliette's leg starts to hurt inexplicably. Gunnar fights for Scarlett.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Geoffrey Nauffts

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  10. Nashville Season 5 Episode 10 - I'll Fly Away
    9.2/10(285 votes)

    #10 - I'll Fly Away

    S5:E10

    A legal dispute threatens to break apart the family. Juliette demands to perform at the CMT Music Awards. Will and Zach are drawn closer together.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Liberty Godshall

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  11. Nashville Season 5 Episode 11 - Fire and Rain
    8.7/10(222 votes)

    #11 - Fire and Rain

    S5:E11

    Juliette helps Maddie navigate the wave of attention she receives after her performance at the CMT Music Awards. Zach demands the masters from Rayna and Deacon's unfinished album.

    Director:Timothy Busfield
    Writer:Jesse Zwick

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  12. Nashville Season 5 Episode 12 - Back in the Saddle Again
    7.6/10(147 votes)

    #12 - Back in the Saddle Again

    S5:E12

    Deacon helps Daphne with a school project, but Daphne feels unmotivated. Juliette gives Maddie unsolicited advice about a song. Scarlett and Gunnar receive news about the baby.

    Director:Dawn Wilkinson
    Writer:Savannah Dooley

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  13. Nashville Season 5 Episode 13 - 'Til I Can Make It on My Own
    7.8/10(136 votes)

    #13 - 'Til I Can Make It on My Own

    S5:E13

    Juliette suffers a bout of anxiety about her upcoming first major performance after the plane crash. Bucky and Zach are at odds.

    Director:Michael Lohmann
    Writer:Scott Saccoccio

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  14. Nashville Season 5 Episode 14 - (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
    7.4/10(137 votes)

    #14 - (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I

    S5:E14

    Maddie and Clay get pulled over by a police officer. Juliette searches for a hit to relaunch her career. Damien George returns to Nashville with a grand plan for Scarlett.

    Director:John Carrafa
    Writer:Callie Khouri

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  15. Nashville Season 5 Episode 15 - A Change Would Do You Good
    7.7/10(129 votes)

    #15 - A Change Would Do You Good

    S5:E15

    A huge fallout results from the video of Maddie and the police officer. Deacon and Avery fall in love with Hallie's special sound. Zach continues to exert his influence on Highway 65.

    Director:Devon Gummersall
    Writer:Matthew M. Ross

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  16. Nashville Season 5 Episode 16 - Not Ready to Make Nice
    7.8/10(141 votes)

    #16 - Not Ready to Make Nice

    S5:E16

    Juliette has it out with Avery over Hallie's sound. Maddie learns the truth about the origins of the bullying on social media. Scarlett's pregnancy brings with it unexpected attention.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Troy Putney

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  17. Nashville Season 5 Episode 17 - Ghost in This House
    8.1/10(154 votes)

    #17 - Ghost in This House

    S5:E17

    Scarlett confronts the journalist Mackenzie Rhodes face to face. Will shoots a commercial. Deacon feels pressure from the outside to move on from Rayna.

    Director:Maggie Greenwald
    Writer:Richard Kramer

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  18. Nashville Season 5 Episode 18 - The Night Before (Life Goes On)
    7.9/10(137 votes)

    #18 - The Night Before (Life Goes On)

    S5:E18

    Juliette continues to be plagued by her injuries and Avery gets a taste of independence. Scarlett and Gunnar shoot a national commercial. Deacon plays a benefit for charity.

    Director:Michael Goi
    Writer:Geoffrey Nauffts

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  19. Nashville Season 5 Episode 19 - You Can't Lose Me
    8.3/10(150 votes)

    #19 - You Can't Lose Me

    S5:E19

    Juliette takes great pains to keep Maddie from learning the truth. Deacon considers a new artist for Highway 65. Scarlett's pregnancy faces complications and Gunnar searches for the mugger.

    Director:Jesse Zwick
    Writer:Savannah Dooley

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  20. Nashville Season 5 Episode 20 - Speed Trap Town
    7.7/10(132 votes)

    #20 - Speed Trap Town

    S5:E20

    Gunnar visits his hometown and faces the ghosts of his past. Maddie and Juliette are nominated for the same music award. Deacon helps Jessie record; Scarlett learns self-defense.

    Director:Jet Wilkinson
    Writer:Jesse Zwick

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  21. Nashville Season 5 Episode 21 - Farther On
    8.2/10(139 votes)

    #21 - Farther On

    S5:E21

    Juliette shoots a mascara commercial but takes issue with the direction. Deacon gets invited to play the Opry but hesitates to answer. Avery and Gunnar embrace life on the road.

    Director:Michael Lohmann
    Writer:Liberty Godshall

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  22. Nashville Season 5 Episode 22 - Reasons to Quit
    8.3/10(142 votes)

    #22 - Reasons to Quit

    S5:E22

    With Deacon and the artists of Highway 65 taking a stand, Zach sends a message. Maddie and Juliette's conflict comes to a head. Daphne goes to a pool party. Gunnar returns from Avery's tour.

    Director:Callie Khouri
    Writer:Scott Saccoccio

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"The Wayfaring Stranger" is the best rated episode of "Nashville" season 5. It scored 8.4/10 based on 263 votes. Directed by Callie Khouri and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/15/2016. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Back in Baby's Arms".