12 Things We Hope to See in All American Season 2

All American is the best show you’re not watching.

It’s a character-driven teen drama of pure quality — a Friday Night Lights meets One Tree Hill masterpiece. The show centers itself around the ethically questionable world of high school sports and will make you want to start a conversation about race relations and socio-economic imbalances within America.

It will also make you wax nostalgic for pep rallies, late-night house parties with warm beer, and the secret crush you had in high school. 

Although the numbers weren’t strong during its debut, All American worked through a well-intentioned first season to truly establish a voice of its own with well-written characters, and outstanding performances given by its exceptional cast. 

We don’t know what Season 2 has in store, but we know what’s on our wishlist! Here are 12 things we hope to see in All American Season 2!

1. Crenshaw vs Beverly Hills: Who Will Spencer Choose?

All American Season 1 Episode 16, “Championships,” left us with Spencer’s dad coming back into town and dropping a few major shock-bombs.

It certainly makes logical sense for Spencer to stay at Beverly, but after Billy’s betrayal and the broken dynamics faced within the Eagles, would returning to his old stomping ground make more sense?

Spencer transferring to South Crenshaw would be like returning to a family — literally.

A tumultuous, yet triumphant, year with the Eagles might be enough to keep Spencer around, but going to South Crenshaw would allow him to rebuild his relationship with his father.

Spencer returning to his roots would be great, but Spencer back in Crenshaw full time would take away a big aspect of what this show is all about! It will be interesting to see him grapple with his choice, but at the end of the day, Spencer sticking with the Eagles promises more entertaining TV.

2. Layla Keatings: Who Is She, Anyway?

One character who saw plenty of screen time, but not quite enough development, is Layla Keating.

She premiered as Asher Adams’ girlfriend and quickly became the centerpiece of a love triangle when she fell for Spencer Hastings. She was also Olivia Bakers ex-best friend turned enemy, turned potential best friend once again.

While all these labels make Layla an integral part of the All American dynamic, they do very little in defining who she actually is as a character.

In the last remaining seconds of All American Season 1 Episode 16, we finally get a look into Layla’s mind space. She’s clearly spiraling, suffering from the loss of her mother and persistently absent father; a man who can’t be bothered to show up after his daughters been robbed.

Suspicions of Layla’s mental health have been festering from early on in the series, but the All American Season 1 finale made it clear there’s much more story to unveil.

She’s a girl who has carried herself as the “picture perfect” girl from Beverly Hills since the pilot, but there are more layers to her story.

For a show that dedicates itself to intently on developing its characters, Layla is quite the mystery. Perhaps Layla detaching herself as someone’s girlfriend, and instead focusing more on herself as an individual, would give her the arc she truly deserves in All American Season 2.

3. Asher Adams And His Continued Growth

Season 1 of All American made something very clear: the storylines revolving around South Crenshaw would be the ones with heightened stakes. The juxtaposition of picturesque Beverly Hills to the grind and gang violence in Crenshaw was needed in order to portray proper emotional impact.

Unfortunately, that meant Beverly Hills storylines oftentimes fell flat. One reason to keep checking back in on the 90210? Asher Adams.

Although introduced as a clear series antagonist, the growth displayed by Asher in All American Season 1 was undoubtedly one of the most interesting — and under-appreciated — storylines thus far.

All American has given Asher a type of complexity which evokes empathetic connection in a way most villainous characters do not.

He’s an overlooked child who is dependent on a fatherly love that is completely conditional. Does Asher play football because he truly loves the game, or is he desperate for his father’s approval? 

Perhaps a little of both, but it seems like All American Season 2 might have him shifting priorities.

Cody Christian delivers a performance that makes Asher Adams someone you can’t help but root for. He has a subtle ability to make Asher sympathetic in nature invokes earnestness just when it’s needed. Even at his worst, Christian never lets Asher be truly unlikeable.

Where Asher goes as a character from here stands to be some of the most enticing aspects of All American Season 2. We’re ready to find out if he’ll be the anti-hero or the antagonist.

4. Jordan Baker: A Little More Romance, A  Little Less Disappearing Storyline

Jordan Baker certainly has been given his fair share of story arcs.

His dynamic with his coach/father Billy is filled with complexity and deep-rooted family baggage. His time spent in South Crenshaw highlights the cultural differences of socio-economic advantages within race.

He’s also on the soul searching quest to find out if he’s got what it takes to be great at football, and a budding relationship with his grandfather.

As All American Season 1 progressed, Jordan’s participation in main storylines only became more prominent. How he steps in as the man of the house after Billy’s departure stands to be a focal point of All American Season 2.

But with all this stress on his shoulders, would a little romance hurt the guy?

Jordan was given a girlfriend from the Eagles rival school in Malibu but was quickly dropped from existence after a few episodes.

Which isn’t such a shame, since it wasn’t all that interesting and there was zero chemistry happening. It did, however, leave a few questions unanswered.

The most important question is whether or not Jordan is single now.

If he is, let’s get him a romance that’s worth the air time. Layla would be the perfect match, but she should probably wait a while before dating another member of the Beverly Hills football team.

If not Layla, let’s introduce someone interesting, smart and sensitive for Jordan. Perhaps a male suitor because a bisexual quarterback in Beverly Hills promises to be something very interesting to explore.

5. Coops New Life: Where Does She Go Now?

Coop’s entire arc in All American Season 1 revolved around digging herself deeper into gang life, while Spencer desperately tried to save her from it. 

Now that All American Season 1 Episode 16 seemingly wrapped up her time spent with the Bloods of South Crenshaw, it’ll be interesting to find out what life will look like for Coop in Season 2.

Coop is undoubtedly a standout character for the show. She’s also the main tie back to South Crenshaw for Spencer; her storylines keep us privy to what happens in the neighborhood.

That balance was one of the most innovative parts of All American; the juxtaposition of Crenshaw vs. Beverly Hills didn’t just provide entertainment but said something important about things like privilege.

Spencer may go home on the weekends, but he also rejects the innate culture of every day South Crenshaw.

If Coop’s not involved, All American will have to find a new way to tackle the tough topics. It’s such a great part of the show, so we’d hate to see those moments go. So more Cooper please and absolutely more time spend in Crenshaw. 

6. Coop and Patience: The Ship We Deserve

Beyond just her gang affiliations, we’re hoping there’s plenty more Coop and Patience coming our way.

Their relationship is one of the healthiest representations of a lesbian romance on network television; one that receives every nuance and complexity of a straight romance.

Perhaps Season 2 will find Patience getting to know Coop’s father, and steps will be made towards mending Coop’s broken family dynamic.

Patience is the real deal girlfriend — she is always there for Coop, trusting her and understanding her motives. At the same time, she’s not afraid to put the strong-headed Coop in her place and helps ground her at every turn. 

Season 2 will hopefully bring more of their love and maybe some background of Patience as an individual character, as well. 

7. Let Mrs. Baker Shine

Nobody wants to see a strong, successful woman get cheated on, especially when she’s been such a support system for her family. But Billy’s adultery reveal may stand to be what’s best for Mrs. Baker going into All American Season 2.

Much like Layla, Mrs. Baker has been a steadfast guidepost for those around her but hasn’t been given her own story arc. We know nothing of her life before meeting Billy. She’s clearly a well known and successful lawyer and future politician, but we don’t know how she got there.

All American’s biggest focus may not be on the adults, but even a minute storyline for Mrs. Baker in Season 2 would satiate some curiosity.

Dealing with Billy’s betrayal won’t be an easy road, but the struggle would be doing the character a favor. It will add much-needed layers to a well-meaning, but one-dimensional, mother.

Following the Baker campaign trail would also be a nice touch — navigating the visceral dynamics of experiencing career highs and personal life lows.

We love you All American, but let women be strong yet multidimensional!

8. Sinking Ships

Spencer and Layla may have ended Season 1 as a fairly happy couple, but there may be troubled waters ahead. Spencer claims their differences are what make them great, but it usually ends up causing a genuine disconnect between them.

They’re oftentimes speaking a different language.

We’re not saying this couple is terrible or toxic, but their dynamic is lacking that special something. Layla could benefit from time as a single woman, and Spencer seems to have unfinished business with more than one other female character.

So, it might be for the best to have these two call it quits.

9. Jordan And Olivia Baker: A Dynamic Duo

All American gives us romance, friendships, and a solid display of brotherhood, but we’d really like to see more strong sibling dynamics in Season 2. 

Spencer’s relationship with his little brother Dillon is consistent, but Olivia and Jordan are the siblings who could use more screen time. They spend very little time actually sharing scenes, even though they live in the same house and have the same friends. 

Jordan showing up for Olivia’s one year of sobriety chip ceremony was unbelievably moving, and when he realized how absent he’d been from her life, the realistic sibling chemistry shined through. 

Unfortunately, there was little follow-through, and the two stayed fairly separate for the remainder of the season. With the Baker family facing such turmoil, Season 2 has a perfect opportunity to let them grow closer as siblings and friends alike. 

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