Friday, February 24, 2017

‘Nashville’ Shocker Sparks Mourning, Anger on Social Media

(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Thursday’s episode of “Nashville”)

There were plenty of tears flowing among “Nashville” fans on Thursday night, plus floods of enraged reactions.

The object of their wrath was the death of a key character who has been on the show since the beginning, when it first aired on ABC in 2012 before being canceled and then saved by CMT for Season 5.

Rayna, the veteran superstar of country music played by Connie Britton, was killed off in the episode titled “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”

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It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise to “Nashville” fans that tomorrow wasn’t coming for Rayna seeing as the character was in a serious car crash in last week’s episode, plus rumors of Britton’s departure have been circulating for months.

However, that didn’t soften the blow, and many were singing a sad country song on social media by the time the end credits rolled Thursday night.

“How does this even happen? How does Nashville even go on without @conniebritton?? #NashvilleCMT,” one Twitter user asked.

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“They are pulling a Shonda Fricken Rhimes on Nashville and let me tell you I’m not about it at all ???????? #NashvilleCMT,” another wrote.

While another more optimistic tweet pointed out that “Grey’s Anatomy” killed off McDreamy and the show still survived … kinda.

Some viewers even regretted ever saving the show from cancelation when ABC dumped it, as they would have been “much happier if Rayna and Deacon lived happily ever after.”

Britton herself tried to ease the pain with a heartfelt Instagram post thanking her fans — and assuring them the show will go on.

Also Read: How Saving 'Nashville' Just Made CMT a Scripted Player

“You made Rayna. You supported her and loved her and gave her inspiration just as she was able to inspire you. You were the energy source, the power behind her heart and soul and life,” the actress wrote.

“Rayna lived for you. And, from the depths of my heart, I thank you, for her and for me. It has been an honor to be a part of that creation. And as I know she would want it, the show must, and will go on.”

See her Instagram post and the less cheery tweets below.

Thank you Rayna Jaymes. For your magic and your dignity. And thank you to all the creators of Rayna Jaymes, for there were many. Callie Khouri, who gave her life. Deacon, Maddie, Daphne, who shaped her as her family. Teddy, Tandy, Lamar too. Juliette, Scarlett, Bucky and the ones who crafted her into a business woman. Along with countless other compatriots and combatants. And then of course the crew of “Nashville” who brought her to life, every crew member in every department who made Rayna live each week. And then there’s the music. T Bone, Buddy, Tim, Frankie and all the brilliant songwriters who gave Rayna a voice. There was no music, and no Rayna, without you. But finally and most importantly, the fans. You made Rayna. You supported her and loved her and gave her inspiration just as she was able to inspire you. You were the energy source, the power behind her heart and soul and life. Rayna lived for you. And, from the depths of my heart, I thank you, for her and for me. It has been an honor to be a part of that creation. And as I know she would want it, the show must, and will go on. Long live Rayna Jaymes. #RIPRayna #NashvilleCMT

A post shared by connie britton (@conniebritton) on Feb 23, 2017 at 7:04pm PST

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Source: the wrap feed