All American Review: One Of Them Nights (Season 2 Episode 9)

If you thought All American was going to come back with a mediocre premiere to follow up that intense mid-season finale, you would be wrong. I was definitely wrong. After hearing on social media from Michael Evans Behling that the highlight of the episode was a skating rink, I wasn’t expecting much. 

Now, I am shook. 

If you love Taye Diggs’ dance moves that might be true, but there is way more to adore and appreciate about All American Season 2 Episode 10, “One Of Them Nights,” other than Billy Baker doing the robot–that’s still a very valid thing to appreciate, for the record. 

On a more serious note, Coop’s storyline makes major improvements in this episode. Her arc revolving around music has been fun, but the stakes haven’t felt high enough for her character. We always want to see Coop happy, but we also need some conflict!

Bringing Tyrone back into the Crenshaw mix gives Bre-z more substantial content to work with, and her acting really shines in the more dramatic moments. 

Preach refusing to testify against Tyrone is a shocking reveal, and it exemplifies how the cycle of violence regenerates itself in gang situations–things are handled on the streets, not in court. It also proves there’s no one protecting Coop. While that’s nerve-wracking, it does feel like a potential plot device to move Spencer back to Crenshaw.

That move feels fairly inevitable anyway, considering Dillon’s struggle over Corey’s death.

It’s important that All American focuses on Dillon’s grief. Dillon just met his dad, only to have him immediately ripped away. The pain from loss is insurmountable, and any kid is going to have a hard time figuring out those feelings.

He has a lot of anger, and since Corey’s not around anymore, it’s Spencer who has to take the heat.

Spencer joining Dillon’s Big Brother Camp may put a bandaid on their issues, but it might not be enough to solve all their problems. Spencer’s little brother is seriously hurting and needs a male figure in his life. One that comes around more than just once or twice a week, which is why it might make more sense for him to return to Crenshaw fulltime.

Moving Spencer back home would be an exciting way to shake-up for the series, but it’s also worrisome. With his desire to protect Coop, Spencer is bound to find himself in some dangerous situations.

He’s not exactly someone who thinks before he acts. For Spencer James, there’s nothing more important than protecting the people he loves.

People like Layla Keating.

Again, how well All American has executed this mental health storyline can not be stressed enough. We are in the ninth episode of the season, and still on this journey with Layla. It’s groundbreaking to witness a teen drama taking this much time with an arc revolving around depression. 

Beyond just de-stigmatizing mental illness, All American is also normalizing therapy. Checking into a treatment center is a very real, very scary, but very valid way to get yourself help. It’s incredibly important to see Layla actually doing the work, instead of keeping her offscreen and magically reappearing as “fixed.”

In All American Season 1, my biggest criticism of Layla was how one-note her character felt. She was likable, but she wasn’t complex. In many cases, she served as little more than a manic pixie-like love interest for the men of the series. 

While feeling abandoned is a vital component to Layla’s depression, hearing her discuss the pressure she feels to be perfect is a nice adage. Using it as a trigger for self-harm is a beautiful backstory that gives motive to her Season 1 archetype. It adds an abundance of levity to her as an individual. 

Layla: Can you stop saying “The Outside?” It makes me feel like i’m in prison. 

Olivia: Yea. Yea I can.

It feels a little too soon for Layla to be checking herself out of treatment, but it’s understandable from a storytelling perspective. This is a teen drama, and we can’t alienate one of the main characters for too long.

Still, she needs to continuously work on her mental health. Having a character claim healing will be ongoing is one thing; showing us that process is another. Let us see her utilize the tools from treatment in order to stay on track.

It will be interesting to see who Layla truly is. We’ve seen parts of her, but not the whole picture either. The possibilities are endless.

The highlight of “One Of Them Nights” comes in the form of Fro-yo, and it’s most poignant aspect is how jarringly the episode does a 180 on its viewer. 

The tone of the scene is light, filled with sunshine and optimism. The issue of gentrification is mentioned in casual conversation, but it feels like a throwaway line in the larger scope of things.

The focus, it seems, is on the growing tension between Dillon and Spencer. That tension between siblings has been a constant thread throughout the episode, but the scene feels finished once Spencer and Dillon reconcile. 

That’s when things spin out quickly of control.

It happens so incredibly fast; it’s enough to give you whiplash. One second it’s Fro-yo and family friction, the next second it’s a life or death scenario.

It’s a true testament to the reality of life for POC. Every day, they’re forced to live on their toes, preparing against some racist insanity that puts their lives in danger. 

Looking back on the scene, I see the signs. The uncomfortable look from the owner when Spencer and his friends walk into the store, the implication of how gentrification affects predominately POC neighborhoods.

None of those things stand out to me initially, but that’s because I’m white. I don’t have to fear if the new ice cream store is going to put my life in danger.

It’s a point Asher himself makes at the skating rink, and throughout the episode, his character is used to exemplify the privilege white people execute on a daily basis: in his shock regarding the incident and the ease in which he approaches the accusing officers. 

Beyond the issue of racial profiling and gentrification, the sequence adds another layer of complexity by highlighting the Baker’s privilege. Olivia and Jordan are shocked at being profiled, while Spencer and Kia are all too familiar with the scenario.

This pushes Olivia towards a new goal: expose racial injustice. It’s a perfect way for Olivia to grow as a character, and find purpose in her life post addiction. It allows her to open her world view and do something with the advantages she has as a biracial woman from Beverly Hills. 

This new endeavor might also put her in closer proximity to Kia, who has similar motivations. Kia is both an excellent and underutilized character, and it would do All American nothing but good to put her on-screen more often. 

Even if Kia and Spencer’s tryst was a one-time thing, I like the normalization of consensual and casual sex. She’s a great love interest for Spencer–they have history and real friendship that acts as a foundation for their strong dynamic.

She’s much more suitable for him than say, Rochelle, who genuinely has felt like a bit of a useless character up until this point. 

I’m still hoping for an Olivia/Spencer endgame.

That endgame is most likely wishful thinking at this point, with Olivia and Asher deep in their honeymoon phase. It’s lovely to witness, and it’s honestly past due for Olivia to get some well-earned happiness of her own. You go get those heart emojis, girl. 

One person whose not receiving any heart emoji’s or pet nicknames is our boy Jordan, who seems desperate for love. He mentions being the third wheel to Asher and Olivia about four times during this episode.

Jordan needs a romance that means something to him. He’s been played by a girl twice now, and it feels slightly repetitive. He may be naive, but he’s still a good person deserving of something real. 

Maybe it will be Layla! 

Layla and Jordan would be great together. Maybe not right now, but eventually. That couple could become something really intriguing. Trust me on this, OK?

For the time being, Jordan can continue working on his relationship with Billy, who was in a better mood this episode than we’ve seen all season. At the end of the day, all Billy Baker wants is to be a good father to his kids.  

All American never forgets the importance of family. 

Overall, this is an outstanding midseason premiere packed with drama, humor, and clever storytelling devices that drive the message home. 

This show just keeps getting better.

Random Thoughts:

• JJ and Jordan helping out underprivileged kids at a church is something I didn’t know I needed. The lack of footage of this happening is why I am taking .2 off of this otherwise 5-star rating.
• Layla being accepting of Olivia and Asher as a couple proves that “girl code” is an archaic truism that was probably created by men meant to pit women against each other. If you are over an ex, there is no reason why a friend of yours can’t date them.
• I truly appreciate All American for taking a moment to show what a nightmare working in the restaurant industry can be. The struggle is very, very real.
• I thoroughly enjoy that 90’s callback to the critically acclaimed horror film, “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

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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