All American Review: Coming Home (Season 2 Episode 7)

Do we give Daniel Ezra the Emmy now, or later?

There’s a brand new approach to storytelling on All American Season 2 Episode 7, “Coming Home,” and it’s the most creatively moving episode to date. 

It’s a split bottle episode that takes place in two locations, focusing solely on the Baker/James family dynamics. The result? A slower-paced story with flawless transitions, heavier tones, and character moments worthy of award level recognition. 

The change in both framing and pacing is stark, which can potentially throw a viewer off their game–it isn’t how All American structures itself; typically providing high-intensity moments that allow 42 minutes of plot to fly by.

“Coming Home” allows the audience to settle in with its characters, and work through emotional beats that have been building from Season 1. It might be less fun, but it provides a closer connection to the story than ever before. 

Structurally, “Coming Home” is a directional genius. Finally divulging answers about the elusive affair, scenes flawlessly transition between both Grace and Billy’s narration of their history, detailing their personal accounts of what unfolded nine years earlier.

It’s a poignant way to deliver information we’ve waited half a season to receive and gives a much meatier payoff than if it were told through a simple, single point of view exposition.

The dialogue flows like a perfect thread through both conversations and juxtaposes both Grace and BIlly’s motives for their betrayal nicely. 

It also highlights the differences between where both families stand with one another. Laura is still clearly in disarray, while Corey has clearly reached a place of acceptance.

Generally, the James family is much more prepared for facing their problems. Perhaps it’s the urgency of the situation with Corey’s health, but the Jameses are able to achieve far more breakthroughs than the Bakers.

At least until the gruesome final moments, that is. 

It’s not all smooth sailing over at James Cabin. Before any peace can be made, Spencer has to work through a multitude of contention. Starting with Darnell and moving on to Corey, Spencer is able to release his anger; letting go of his resentment and finally forming a true bond with his father. 

Corey: I don’t want your last memories to be of me dying.

Sencer: I don’t want my last memories of you to be you driving off, so I guess we’re at an impasse.

Spencer listening to Darnell’s recount of his experience with Corey is heartbreaking but worth it. Small sensitive moments between male characters are an aspect of what makes All American so different from other shows–it has no issues breaking down walls of toxic masculinity.

It also opens a door for the Darnell/Spencer relationship to blossom, which is something Spencer will need now that Corey’s gone. 

Vulnerability is a sign of strength, and All American allows its protagonist to encompass a ton of it.

Partial credit goes to Ezra himself, who portrays Spencer with such raw authenticity, it’s almost impossible to believe he’s part of a CW show, rather than starring in Oscar-nominated films.

Ezra’s authenticity is never more prominent than in the final moments of “Coming Home,” when Spencer walks in to find Corey passed on.

Spencer is so vulnerable in the scene, so full of explosive anger and agony, it’s uncomfortable to watch. Heavy silence replaces normal background tracking, adding a chilling feature that feels incredibly intimate, and distressingly lifelike.

But that’s what makes All American so good. When you think the show is going to play into typical soapy tropes, it swerves left and gives you something shockingly grounded. This reigns true for Corey’s death, and for the reveal of Dillon’s biological father.

It was Corey all along!

It’s a true plot twist. The show had constructed a “who’s the daddy?” narrative like it was waiting for another shoe to drop; once the families had begun to mend, Billy would be revealed as Dillon’s bio dad and a whole new round of drama would unfold. 

Instead, Dillon’s paternity is used as a moment of clarity for Corey–something he can make peace with before passing on.

It’s comforting to know Corey felt true peace before his death, but he leaves Darnell, Dillon, and Spencer behind without a father, so in many ways, his story is far from over. It lives on in his sons, and his absence is sure to be a driving force moving into the second half of the season.

No one at the Baker house may have died, but their family feels more empty than ever before. Besides a refreshingly honest conversation between Olivia and Jordan, nothing about their therapy feels truthful or authentic.

It could be a miscalculation, or perhaps the way Taye Diggs plays it, but nothing Billy says feels genuine. The only moment of believability came with his book of love notes. Keeping and binding every letter Laura wrote during their relationship is truly lovely.

It’s still not enough to fix a broken marriage.

An affair is one thing, but Billy’s attitude is the root of the Baker issues. He’s sorry for the act of adultery, but almost credits Laura for driving him towards Grace.

Of course, the overly-wordy (and probably overly paid) therapist tries to justify Billy’s explanations, but it doesn’t land quite right. Even mentioning how Laura “didn’t understand him like Grace did” was a manipulation tactic.

It feels like misplaced blame. 

Laura is equally frustrating, unwilling to have the more difficult conversations. Both parents are unable to admit the parts they played in breaking their family apart. 

Jordan doesn’t always have impressive (or sensical) things to say, but pointing out how miserable Laura and Billy make each other is important. Billy is stepping his game up as a father, but he has a lot of work to do when it comes to being a loving, attentive husband.

Laura Baker has to work on being a forgiving wife. 

The family may still be in disarray, but the quiet sibling moment between Olivia and Jordan makes the entire Baker plotline worth witnessing. 

Logan and Behling continue to bring their twin dynamic to life in absolutely joyous ways; whether it be for comedic relief or a true, honest moment between them.

Olivia: This is going to sound so terrible and selfish. 

Jordan: Say it anyway. 

Quality sibling banter is always a whimsical good time, but providing communicative moments where siblings can express their love for one another is equally important content to showcase. All American always remembers this, never tossing aside its family dynamics in lieu of romantic entanglements.

Most shows can’t say that.

“Coming Home” is a wildcard installment; the plot takes a back seat to the characters, and only half the main cast makes an appearance. The episode still manages to provide answers though, while simultaneously raising more questions about the future.

It proves family can be just as interesting, emotional, and limelight worthy as romance.

Rest in Peace, Corey James.

Random Thoughts:

• It’s thrilling to see Olivia’s blossoming talents and interests! She’s an artist, and hopefully, that continues to be a part of her story going forward.
• The wrapping up of Corey’s life in a neat and tidy bow feels a little bit heavy-handed in an otherwise grounded episode. Every question is answered, every broken relationship is mended, every want is satiated. Life’s a tad messier than that.
• Although the Baker therapist is grating, cheers once again for normalizing therapy and ways of coping.
• Jordan stumbling around as a kid because he thought he was drunk off butterbeer? I’ve never heard anything MORE Jordan.
• The dialogue in the Grace/Spencer scene about “strength as vulnerability” is…*chefs kiss*
• Season 2 Episode 8 deals with the aftermath of Corey’s death and Layla’s continuous spiral. While that’s a natural way for the narrative to unfold, here’s hoping we get a few moments of humor after the heaviness of “Coming Home”

What did you think of this episode of All American? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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