Loved them tonight!!!  Although they were pretty much at odds the entire episode, I really really loved the realism and angst between them this episode.  Once again proving why I said that this season might just be some of the best work for James and Joy, and they are delivering big time!!!  It was a great episode for them!!!

Loved Nathan's speeches throughout the entire episode that pertained to Haley when he was talking to her.  I loved that no matter what, he was adamant, stubborn and stood by his convictions to not pay off the lying skank and that he needed Haley to have the ultimate faith in him!!!  James played that so well!!!  All the looks and the speeches were acted out brilliantly as you could clearly see the immense toll that this situation is taking on Naley, and the JL's did wonderful at portraying that tonight!!!

Joy was spectacular as per usual.  Her emotions and thoughts were all in her face and eyes and you visually saw the internal battle and struggle that Haley was having with herself, while trying to remain strong and have the utmost faith and belief in Nathan.  I loved that all she cared about was Nathan's dream and career.   Some might have considered Haley's demeanor harsh tonight in certain scenes, but her motives and actions were all brought on by wanting to protect Nathan from having his reputation ruined for good.  When she was talking to Clay and when she heard about the endorsement deals, you could clearly tell she was only thinking about Nathan's well-being and what would happen to him without basketball.  She didn't want to venture down that road again!!!

Also loved the bit about the metaphor and simile with Clay----that's classic Naley right there, lol!!!

Finally the ending scene with them in their bedroom (yay we finally get a scene in it, as it took a while to finish the Naley sets, lol)....But Gosh, what can I say?  JL's magic right there.  James delivered that speech so well that I had tears in my eyes right along with Haley, hehe.  And such a meaningful kiss to boot as you could see it in both of their faces, how much they needed each other in that moment.  That's substance folks.  That's the chemistry that makes these two out of this world and separates them from the rest!!!  Seven season's later and still going strong, and at the top of their game!!!  They continue to be brilliant this season, and tonight further proves that!!!  Huge props to them!!!   

Oh I completely agree, it's just that I had read some people's opinions on other boards, and while most loved Naley's dynamic with each other, some commented on the fact that Haley appeared too harsh and like a b!tch at times, but I didn't see that at all!!!  It would have been completely unrealistic if the opposite happened and Haley just took everything that Nathan said at face value and not question a thing, because with all that has transpired with the skank and the different girls/media talking in Haley's ears, it's only natural to question everything to make sure that she has all the facts.  Plus, Haley wasn't really doubting Nathan,  that's not what it was about.  Her actions were motivated by her simply being at her wits end and just wanting this whole mess to be over with for her family and for it to not threaten Nathan's basketball career any more than it already has.  That's what was at the root of it, and I thought that Joy did superb with it!!!

Yep, they shined for sure----they were amazing last night!!!