All American Review: Life Goes On (Season 2 Episode 8)

Everyone’s making moves.

All American Season 2 Episode 8, “Life Goes On,” pushes its characters into life-altering decisions, while showcasing its storytelling ability by giving proper focus to multiple season-long climaxes.

Overall, it ultimately achieves what a midseason is meant to, setting things in motion for the rest of the season. 

Every character is headed for new chapters when All American returns on January 20th, and no new chapter is more surprising than that of Spencer James.

In the final moments of the episode, Spencer explains how football was a way for him to feel connected to Corey. Now that Corey is gone, it doesn’t make sense for Spencer to keep playing the game. 

Except it does make sense. It makes perfect sense to continue pursuing what keeps him linked to Corey. He may have left Spencer in a much more permanent way this time, but football still a way to honor their relationship.

It’s also absolutely what Corey would want for his son.

But grief manifests itself in a variety of different ways, so it’s understandable Spencer’s first reaction is to recoil away from something that reminds him so deeply of Corey. Spencer might still be taking Layla’s advice–pushing away anything that embraces the pain of losing his father.

That advice is absolutely terrible, though, which hopefully Spencer can recognize. Considering how broken Layla currently is, this should be obvious to a character as smart as Spencer James. Because Lyla never faced her mother’s death, she’s now dealing with demons far greater than the pain general grief brings.

The best thing for Spencer to do is to face his pain and find a way to heal. Football may be too hard to face for the time being, but his love for the sport should win out in the end. 

All American is usually very in touch with its characters, so we’ll trust that’s where this storyline is headed; Spencer is blinded by grief, but will find his back to the Eagles eventually. 

For the time being, it will interesting to watch Spencer actively dig into this loss, and begin his journey towards making peace with Corey’s death.

Something tells me his final destination will have him back on that field. 

Potentially, that would be with his brother Darnell, who is sticking around and moving in with the James clan. Spencer could choose to go back to Beverly, but it would compelling if he returned to South Crenshaw High.

As the UCLA coach said, seeing Darnell and Spencer playing offense for the same team would be a thing to behold.

Even if Spencer doesn’t return to football, moving back to Crenshaw fulltime might be his choice. Spencer no longer needs to play for the Eagles in order to peak college interest, so he may want to return to his father’s old stomping grounds, and follow in his footsteps. 

Regardless of what Spencer does next, the relationship he’s forming with Darnell is a vital one, and worth investing in. Darnell makes sense as an addition to the narrative. His presence pushes the James family forward in a myriad of ways and adds a fresh perspective to the story. 

It’s also extremely heartwarming to see the boys bonding. 

Whether we’re in agreement with Spencer’s decision to leave the game of football or not, it can’t be argued how absolutely beautiful the reveal plays out.

With a killer musical score, All American painstakingly plays into the irony of quitting while receiving the honor of a championship ring. The shots of Spencer walking away, and ripping off his name tag evoke the perfect amount of heartbreaking sentiment. 

It’s quite literally a perfectly directed moment of television. 

“Life Goes On” does an excellent job of highlighting the benevolence of the Spencer James character. Rivaling Olivia Baker for the most selfless person on television, Spencer still manages to support his loved ones, even in his worst moments of despair.

He opens his home to Darnell, allowing him to continue football at Crenshaw, and build a future for himself. He also accepts Darnell as a member of the James family, recognizing how Darnell’s history with Corey can benefit the whole family–there are so many stories and memories to be shared.

There’s also Layla, with who he never wavered, even when she viciously pushed him away. Without hesitation, he shows up for her– to listen, hold her close, and put her pain before his own. 

He’s exceptionally written as complex, tenacious and giving; the young black male protagonist we desperately need to be represented in media far more often. 

There’s also Jordan, another exemplary young black male character–one with depth, growth and a heart filled with goodness.

While the baby storyline is doing a world of good for the advancement of Jordan’s character, the “it’s not your baby” reveal feels fairly contrived. It’s a trope that’s been used in almost every teen soap that exists, and it feels like All American could have come up with a better twist.

Watching Jordan step up and be there for a baby who isn’t even his shouldn’t be undervalued. It says so much about who he’s becoming. It also gives Michael Evans Behling a few darker dramatic moments to flex his acting muscles on, which is appreciated.

It stills feels like the story could be richer.

The storyline might be laying out a foundation that will build towards a romance between Jordan and Simone–they’re bound to get closer during her pregnancy. That wouldn’t be completely terrible, since Jordan has yet to find a love interest who actually has a name worth remembering. 

Except, Simone has now been introduced as the girl who lied about having Jordan’s baby. So while she may very well have acted out of fear, being willing to vehemently change an innocent boys life doesn’t say much for her character.

In other words, it’s a little hard to stand behind a couple who starts on such shaky ground.

She does have a conscience, or else she wouldn’t have come clean after seeing the crib. If All American takes the right amount of time to develop her, their relationship may end up being something worth rooting for.

Maybe.

Romance or not, Jordan’s journey as “stand-in dad” still promises to be an interesting one. Considering how good Behling’s is at the comedic moments, Jordan figuring out how to handle a baby will make for a few great laughs.

While Jordan adapts to surrogate fatherhood, Olivia is making hesitant advancements in her own love life.

No one can question how far Olivia has come on All American. “Life Goes On” has Olivia in a place of strength, stability, and happiness. Season 2 has shown her maintaining her sobriety, while being there for her loved ones, and keeping a positive attitude about her life. 

That doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Olivia confessing to Asher in “Hard Knock Life” she prefers a friendship over a whirlwind relationship was a beautiful moment, made even more poignant by Asher’s immediate understanding. He didn’t push for their relationship to move forward, because he realized Olivia knows what’s best for her well being.

It was a moment of rarity on television. At a place where most shows would have pushed the female into a relationship wasn’t ready for, All American chose to step back and choose sobriety, stability, and friendship over teen romance.

It was a cause for celebration!

It didn’t last very long.

I get it. The friends-to-lovers trope is one of the best out there, and the two have great chemistry. Their scenes are adorably written, and take place in beautiful settings. It’s easy to want this pair to get together.

I’m just not sure it sends the right message.

“Life Goes On” changes Asher’s mentality almost completely. He no longer lets Olivia lead, instead pushing her to admit her feelings and take a chance on love. Normally, this would be an adorable thing for a love interest, but not when the object of their affection is in recovery and has explained why they need more time.

The “Ashivia” relationship could end up being something amazing, but as Spencer and Layla have exemplified, a love affair is not what solves problems. In fact, it usually only complicates things. 

Asher clearly loves Olivia, but it doesn’t go unnoticed she doesn’t verbally return the sentiment. She obviously has feelings for Asher–she admits as much. That doesn’t mean she’s ready to act on them.

If the show allowed Olivia to make the first move, it would feel more like Olivia wasn’t pushed, but genuinely ready to take the next step. It would also allow Asher to keep all those points he earned by understanding her hesitation. 

When you’re 17 and emotions are heightened, things can shake up your world at a moment’s notice, and Olivia needs someone who won’t walk away. 

Olivia: Asher your friendship is the best thing I have in my life right now. 

Regardless of my distaste for Asher’s change of heart, their chemistry is still palpable, and their relationship has developed in an organic way. Their romantic moments are sweet, innocent and completely lovely, so cheers to a moment of levity in an otherwise heavy episode. 

A couple who is easy to celebrate? Patience and Coop, of course!

Coop makes some questionable decisions towards Patience in “Life Goes On,” but they all stem from her insecurities around her own talent. At the end of the day, she knows she’s lucky to have Patience in her corner.

Their love is too pure to be selfish. 

The two haven’t faced many conflicts, so allowing them to work through an issue was an important step forward in their relationship. It’s also refreshing to see All American giving such a strong focus to a healthy, loving, and supportive lesbian couple. 

Coop may be a solo act, but she isn’t at her best unless Patience is behind her. Now that Coop realizes the importance of reciprocating that kind of selfless love, things only stand to get better from here.

Romance isn’t completely dead!

Well, unless your Billy and Laura Baker.

It’s always devastating to watch a marriage break apart, but Laura’s decision to legally separate is for the best. Billy is clearly remorseful, but that isn’t making them any less miserable. 

Distance will either make the heart grow fonder or prepare them for part ways forever.

Right now, parting ways feels right.

Billy and Laura as a couple have overshadowed Billy and Laura as individuals this season, and both characters will have much more prominent storylines if they’re given a chance to step away from the slow grinding death of their marriage.

At least temporarily. 

The most fervent moment of “Life Goes On” comes from Layla, who reaches the apex of a storyline that’s been building since All American Season 2 Episode 1, “Hustle & Motivate.”

All American has structured Layla’s story this season, and that can not be stressed enough. It has built her into an isolated corner, pulling her farther apart from the world around her, with subtle and well thought out perfection.

The unbearable heaviness of admitting you’re not okay is a very real thing. It’s a monumental step, which is why depicting Layla as someone who has vehemently rejected help was vital to the story at hand.

As someone suffering from severe depressive episodes, you will never accept assistance until you are ready to admit you have a problem. Unfortunately, that admittance doesn’t usually come until you’ve hit rock bottom.

Layla: I need help.

Spencer: That’s the first time I’ve actually heard you admit that. 

“Life Goes On” allows Layla to hit rock bottom. 

The flashback scene allows a peek into Layla’s mindset; seamlessly jumping between speeding up the hill and the moments that drove her there. It displays the feeling of being completely and utterly hopeless in the most delicate, yet accurate way. 

While you know she won’t actually drive off the cliff, it doesn’t make the scene any less intense. You still hold your breath as she presses on the gas, heart aching over the pain protruded in her face. 

Greta Onieogou is phenomenal in the moment; laying every emotion out on the table, and selling it entirely.

Luckily, Layla’s brush with death is enough motivation to call Spencer. Asking for help isn’t easily done, and unveiling the truth is emotional, terrifying, and extremely embarrassing. 

It’s made fairly more manageable by having someone like Spencer in her life. No matter how hard she has pushed him away, how terribly she has treated him or how selfishly she has acted–he has stayed.

Sometimes all you need is to know someone will stay.

But even with Spencer’s support, it’s important to recognize how particular All American depicts Layla’s admission into treatment. She walks into the facility completely alone, and she checks herself in.

Layla: I’m Layla Keating, and I’m checking myself in. 

Because at the end of the day, no one can get you there, until you’re ready to get there on your own. You have to want to do the work to get better.

Layla is ready to do the work, and the people who love her will be waiting on the other side.

I can’t wait to see what the other side looks like.

Random Thoughts: 

• Coop’s song is so good! Both she and Patience deserve the limelight. 
• It’s very strange to see Olivia at Asher’s dinner with his parents. I understand support, but he should attend this one alone. 
• Asher needs to have resentment towards both parents. His father did a grotesque thing, but his mom took the money. 
• In Season 1, it was hinted Spencer’s future could be in writing. Could this be a potential future storyline for Spencer, now that he’s quit Beverly football?
• Tyrone is back! It’s not surprising, but it’s worrisome for Coop. She’s thriving with Patience and her music, but Tyrone promises to bring drama and darkness back to Crenshaw. 
• One of the best things about the Spencer/Coop dynamic is neither character ever presses the other one to take advice. They offer their opinions and support, then step back and let each other live their lives. That’s a real friendship. 

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

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

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