All American Review: The Reminisce Over You (Season 2 Episode 4)

It’s hard to write a review when your head is exploding.

All American Season 2 Episode 4, “They Reminisce Over You,” titles itself perfectly by once again cranking up the dramatics to full blast. 

This show is beginning to get a reputation for its dance episodes.

Previews for “They Reminisce Over You” were fairly misleading, alluding to its main focus being on Layla. While she does hold a prominent storyline, the real attention stays on the Billy/Grace/Corey dynamic.

Layla as a subplot isn’t a detriment to the episode–it’s actually a relief. Bringing her arc to a climax only to abruptly move on would be a disservice to the story itself. Instead, the lingering way her truth is brought to light adds a realness to its portrayal.

It gives proper time to breathe and resonate.

Too often, a series will use mental health as a plot device, wrapping things up before ever dealing with the issues. Problem is, depression doesn’t appear in an instant, or “fix” itself immediately.

Sometimes it doesn’t get “fixed” at all.

It’s an ongoing series of mountains and valleys. Even after the healing begins, the road to recovery is long and complex.

Representing mental illness in media is not imperative just for the mere sake of breaching the topic; it’s not an item meant to be checked off a list. As Layla says herself in “They Reminisce Over You,” mental illness is not a “version” of you–it is you.   

Just as POC or the LGBTQIA community, people who struggle with mental health issues want to see themselves reflected on screen.

Layla’s struggles aren’t ending. If anything, they’re just beginning. All American does a fabulous job at reminding the audience of this, with Greta Onieogou at the helm. Her performance continues to be so raw, it’s difficult to watch at times.

Layla has a long road ahead before she’s healed, and her experiences will somewhat stay with her forever.

This darkness is now a part of her, and the people around her will have to pivot in order to acclimate.

It’s comforting to see Spencer and Olivia taking action against Layla’s outbursts. While Coop’s heart is in the right place, she’s wrong for attempting to sway Spencer from contacting Mr. Keating. Depression is too all-consuming to take any chances. 

It’s not surprising Layla punishes Spencer by breaking up with him, but it’s a sacrifice Spencer has to make in order to ensure her safety. She won’t help herself, but she’s still subconsciously desperate to be heard.

Spencer’s finally listening, and eventually, she’ll be thanking him for it.

It’s disappointing to see the Layla/Spencer ship sink, but it’s what’s best for her. The two could reconnect in the future, but for now, Layla needs friends, not complicated romance.

Although Coop’s advice is misguided, watching her work through lyrics with Layla is an endearing continuity. It throws back to All American Season 1, where Layla revealed her passion for writing to Spencer.

It presents as a type of therapy. It would be poignant if songwriting (something Layla relates back to her mother), eventually becomes a part of her journey to recovery. Extra credit if that writing is done alongside Coop, and their friendship continues to blossom.

Recovery may not be something Layla is ready to face, but the parents are attempting their own ways of healing in “They Reminisce Over You.”

Dance episodes typically bring the drama in any TV series, but All American takes things to a whole new level. If there’s music and a high school gymnasium in the mix, brace yourselves.

Using a 25-year reunion is a clever way to get (most) of the parents in one place, without also involving things like high-pressure football games that threaten to take away focus.

BBQ’s and dance parties with ghosts of high school past are perfect settings for trips down bumpy memory lane. All American uses this to its advantage, by implementing flashbacks between intricately weaved present-day confrontations.

Giving a more detailed look into Corey’s past does wonder for his character. Without motive for his actions, Corey comes off as selfish and irredeemable.

Knowing Corey stepped back from football due to sickness, or witnessing his life as a second-place Billy Baker, is enough to evoke genuine empathy for his current situation.

It doesn’t give him an excuse to leave his family for a second time.

However, All American doesn’t do anything without good reason. So while it paints the picture of Corey leaving to avoid being cast back into Billy’s shadow, there’s undoubtedly more to the story.  The mention of his previous illness feels purposeful, as does the mysterious phone call he receives at the beginning of the episode.

Chances of a doctor being on the other end of the line, delivering bad news? Very high.

It’s still not reason enough to flee.

Corey leaving is disappointing on a variety of levels; Spencer and Dillon will be crushed, Crenshaw is left without a coach, and Darnell is potentially left without a home.

More frivolously, it closes the book on a love triangle between Corey, Grace, and Billy. The chemistry between all three is potent, and the history between them adds an interesting complexity to the scenario.

Then again, Laura Baker deserves better than that.

Laura Baker deserves better than a lot of things, actually. A more well-behaved son being first on the list.

Kids deal with divorce uniquely; the juxtaposition of Olivia and Jordan’s handling of their family’s separation is proof of that.

Olivia wants the family to reconcile and does all she can to mend fences, while Jordan does everything he possibly can to destroy them.

It’s a blast to witness–Michael Evans Behling is a natural with comedic beats, portraying a spoiled teen getting nailed by his parents in both realistic and hilarious ways.

Laura: You will sit, I will stand. I will ask the questions and you will provide the answers. You will tell me truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me god.

Jordan: I feel like I’m in court

Laura: You’re in my court…and somehow you managed to crash your sister’s car into our neighbors front yard.

Jordan: is that a question?

Laura: You are grounded for as long as I am legally allowed to ground you for.

Except beneath the humor lies a destroyed kid. He’s running through girlfriends like water and is literally looking for ways to self destruct. Pain is clearly the motivator for his pushback.

Laura desperately tries ways to reign him in, but what Jordan may really need is therapy. 

And maybe he also needs a girlfriend who will support him. Like, someone who won’t leave him in the middle of a crime scene, for example.

For now, he has Olivia, who is busy being a shoulder to lean on for every person in her life. She’s currently the best version of herself, but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, recovery is not a one-time thing.

Recovery is something Olivia has to choose to do, every single day. Here’s hoping she continues to choose it, even while attending to other people’s needs. People like Layla, Jordan, Spencer, her parents… and Asher.

Asher, who finally gets a storyline worthy of some spotlight–complete with total parental dysfunction and heavy emotional beats at every turn.

All American always remembers to humanize even it’s most unlikeable players, and Asher’s character is someone who has been redeeming himself since Season 1. Delving deeper into his family life only illuminates his motives for previous wrongdoings further.

It’s common knowledge Asher hasn’t spoken to his mother for a while, but to realize they haven’t spoken in over a year is a kick to the gut.

There’s nothing more detrimental to a child’s growth than being tossed in the middle of their parent’s drama. Which is exactly where Asher has landed.

Mr. Adams is fiercely misguided in keeping Asher’s mother from him, no matter what the circumstances. However, using Asher as a middleman for divorce papers is just as deplorable.  Asher is a 16-year-old ping pong ball between the two people who should care about him the most. 

He’s estranged from one parent, and a babysitter to the other, which is why it’s so important he has Olivia.

The two are headed for a crash course in romance. That can’t be denied. The foreshadowing is everywhere, from longing looks to Asher’s mother pointing out their compatibility. 

The two have mutually helped each other in times of need, which is a solid foundation for a meaningful relationship, but it’s also slightly unnerving.

Asher doesn’t have anyone like Olivia–someone he trusts completely; enough to sit by his side while he reunites with his absentee mother. While the two do have plenty of chemistry and history, bringing romance into their dynamic could alter things forever, and not necessarily in a good way.

Getting together does not equate to staying together. This is clear from Layla and Spencer’s wilting relationship. Friendship can be ruined by attempts at romance, and it would be a shame to see Asher lose his support system.

There’s something to be said about the importance of male/female friendships being represented in media. While Olivia and Asher may not be the poster children for that dynamic much longer, Spencer and Coop have got it down pat.

Teen dramas love to drop characters and relationships; one episode highlighting a budding dynamic just to have it never ben seen again. All American never does this. The importance of the relationship between Spencer and Coop is never forgotten.

Spencer and Coop always check in with one another, even if their storylines take them in different directions. They are always involved in each other’s important life decisions, and although there is no chance of things turning romantic, the levity of their relationship is never undervalued.

Other various teen dramas, please take note.

Discussing how good  All American actually is, never gets tiresome. From the topics it breaches to the performances it delivers, it constantly proves itself as one of the CW’s biggest successes.

Keep going, All American. You’re just beginning to hit your stride.

Stray Thoughts:

• I may support the current (and obviously unavoidable) Asher/Olivia romantic pairing, but I am still captain of the SS Spencer/Olivia.
• We need to see Olivia’s reaction to Jordan totaling her car. I live for their sibling banter.
• It’s refreshing to see complex relationships between adults. Even with Billy and Corey, their dynamic isn’t black and white. There is a friendship there, but there is also resentment.
• All American has a Spotify playlist which is so great because their soundtrack is fire.
• Showcasing Grace as a woman in her 40s who still carries a ton of sex appeal is a nice touch. She’s got game! 
• I don’t know who Denise is, but I know I need her in my life for more than just one episode.
• Billy Baker Field? Really?
• Jordan throwing Billy under the bus to Laura had me screaming. If you’re actively trying to use your parents’ separation to your advantage, you need to play things smarter, Jordan. Protect the good cop, always!

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

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