All American Review: Never No More (Season 2 Episode 3)

Old wounds finally heal, making room for new ones to break open. 

All American Season 2 Episode 3, “Never No More,” takes a break from the drama in order to resolve some longstanding conflicts.

That doesn’t mean the episode isn’t a successful one. All American uses “Never No More” as an opportunity to move its plot forward, wrapping up leftover storylines from Season 1 while planting new seeds for Season 2.

Spencer finally decides to stay with the Eagles at Beverly Hills High, which is about one episode away from taking too long, but the execution is well worth the wait. 

It’s understandable why Spencer gives Corey an ultimatum. After everything he’s been through, it’s what Corey deserves.

That doesn’t make it the right move.

Spencer has a tendency to act selfishly on impulse, and pushing to send Darnell home is one of those circumstances. 

Because it’s not about Corey, or what pain Spencer gets to inflict on his father. It’s about Darnell and how his life would suffer from the fallout of Corey’s choice. 

Darnell is so much like Spencer; a gifted boy trying to make the most of his opportunities. With an absent mother, he’s simply clinging desperately to anyone who reaches out a caring hand. Sending Darnell packing would make Spencer a hypocrite. 

The juxtaposition is a fascinating one. Billy’s dynamic with Spencer is almost a direct parallel between Corey and Darnell’s. Billy saw something special in Spencer, and the two formed a bond that made them family.

Corey and Darnell share a similar story. All the way down to Corey taking Darnell under his roof. 

It’s a true moment of heroism for Spencer–pushing his own issues with his father aside to recognize the importance of Corey’s role in Darnell’s life. It can’t be easy to realize your absentee father has been busy parenting someone who isn’t you.

Taking away Darnell’s opportunities means nobody wins. Corey coaching Spencer wouldn’t magically solve their disconnect. 

In fact, it might make things worse.

A coach/player relationship is a delicate one, and for a father and son, it can be unbelievably toxic, especially for two people who were previously estranged.

Spencer and Corey may be rivals on the field now, but their familial bond will continue to grow, while Darnell gets the support he needs from Corey as a mentor. 

Spencer doesn’t need another mentor or coach. He has Billy Baker.

All American Season 1 portrayed Billy coaching the Eagles as a narcissistic motive; a stepping stone to something bigger. The image and reputation of Billy Baker the ex NFL star was far more important than the well being of his players. 

This is why his decision to stay on as Eagles coach felt questionable. There was a chance he’d make the same self-serving decisions that got him into trouble, to begin with. 

“Never No More” proves this time, Billy’s motives are pure–first with his decision to make Spencer and Asher captains, and next with standing up against the Boosters. Both of these decisions display growth and authenticity for his character.

In a very Friday Night Lights-esque move, the Boosters have popped up as the potential new villains of All American Season 2.

It’s a solid pivot for the series. It allows the newly unified Eagles, now on common ground, to work as a team against an outside force.

If you’ve never seen Friday Night Lights, rest assured: The Boosters promise to be formidable opponents.

Watching the Eagles fight to keep their team together promises to be riveting television. However, while the team is allied together, Billy and Jordan’s dynamic remains fractured.

The two are working together earnestly. They both want what’s best for the team, but the fragility of their relationship remains a tense undercurrent yet to be fully explored. 

Olivia (To Jordan): Admit it, you’re preying on [Dad’s] guilt using your powers for evil.

Jordan struggling to find his place in the world of football is far and away Michael Evans Behling’s best material; his performances shine brightest in moments of inner struggle.

The more Jordan attempts to achieve a life beyond his father’s shadow, the better All American will be. 

Outside the world of football, Coop is finding new and creative ways to thrive.

Music is such an excellent direction for her character. Pursuing the indie route keeps Coop tied to the heart of South LA, and gives her an opportunity to reconcile with those who identify her as the grim reaper of Crenshaw.

Coop deserves to move upward and onward, building a life where she can reach her highest potential. It won’t come easy, but she’s pursuing a dream and using her assets to make it happen.

She’s also back in school and making progress with her mother.

It’s what she deserves.

All American is careful never to forget Coop as a fully fleshed-out individual. She isn’t just a sounding board for protagonist Spencer James. She’s her own character, with her own agency.

Coop isn’t the only woman finding her new path. Olivia Baker is discovering she can’t keep wrapping herself up in someone else’s identity.

Much like Spencer, Olivia is constantly there for the people she loves. Unlike Spencer, she has nothing of her own to hold onto. 

She’s the twin without the football glory, the addict whose no longer defined by her addiction, and the friend whose shoulder is always available to cry on. 

But what does she have that’s just for her?

Olivia: I’ve been so consumed by other peoples identities, I’ve never taken the time to find my own.

It’s understandable the topic wasn’t breached in All American Season 1. She was wrapped up in battling recovery and finding visibility within her family. Now stable and feeling seen, Season 2 Olivia is ready to discover who she is an individual, and what she wants from her future. 

Whether Sola Muse is the right outlet for her remains to be seen, but it is refreshing to see a “high society” debutante storyline featuring black women. 

Olivia is strong, intelligent and kind–her options are endless. Whatever direction her journey goes, it promises to be an enticing one.

With Spencer and Olivia focusing on themselves, Layla continues to face her demons alone. 

She’s officially spiraling–throwing thousands of dollars down the drain while showcasing intermittent spurts of rage. It’s enough to worry anyone who cares about her.

That’s why Spencer being so disconcerted feels peculiar. He’s finally starting to notice things are off, but he’s way too complacent in his actions.

He admits being caught up in his own drama, but it’s no excuse for turning a blind eye. Layla is clearly struggling. She certainly isn’t going to admit anything is less than perfect, so the responsibility lies on him to investigate further. 

Spencer is consistently developing his relationships with the people around him; he does so by reaching out in poignant ways.

In “Never No More” alone, he apologizes to Jordan for shaking up his life, shows up to support and guide Coop in her new endeavors, advises Billy on how to handle Jordan’s outbursts, and reminds his mother to put herself first.

It’s lovely to witness Spencer being a selfless son to Grace, and caring brother to Jordan, but Layla shouldn’t be last on his list. That feels starkly out of character. Perhaps he’s taking the fact she’s always put together for granted.

He assumes she’ll solve her own problems, but she is screaming for someone to pay attention. 

Someone needs to hear those screams, or Layla Keating is going to drown. 

Random Thoughts:

• It is great to have Kia back, and it seems like Chris may be making a return! They are both severely underused secondary characters and deserve some screen time in Season 2. 
• The opening montage of the dueling teams is an interesting directional choice. It portrays how different Corey and Billy’s coaching styles are, while the rest of the episode highlights their similarities.
• Who knew all it would take is a flip phone to get Jordan back on track. That must be the ultimate punishment for a kid from Beverly Hills.
• Every episode makes a point of having at least one scene where Olivia and Spencer check-in and confide in one another. Not saying it means anything (but like, it kind of does mean something, doesn’t it?).
• Season 2 is delivering much more of the Olivia and Jordan sibling dynamic–even small, silly moments. It’s the best and adds some levity to the Baker household. 

What did you think of “Never No More?” Are you happy with Spencer’s decision, or did you want to see him back at Crenshaw?

Where do you think Olivia’s arc is headed this season? Are you hoping Layla’s mental health is finally addressed next episode? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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All American airs Monday at 8/7c on The CW. 

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