All American Review: Who Shot Ya (Season 2 Episode 14)
Shocked, relieved, confused, angry, frustrated: these are all viable feelings to be experiencing right now.
All American Season 2 Episode 14, “Who Shot Ya,” provides unexpected conclusions to longstanding conflicts, all with little to no pay off for its audience.
All American has always been a show that knows how to deliver on emotional gravitas. While that’s still true for moments of “Who Shot Ya,” overall, the episode chooses to wrap up storylines in ways that feel both forced and ill-adjusted.
It’s clear Billy’s cover-up for Asher is meant to be a sign of growth, proving he’s become a man who does the right thing.
It’s supposed to be about sacrifice for the greater good.
Unfortunately, that’s not how it lands. Instead, it reads the same as his season one drug test storyline. Asher might not be his son, but the Eagles are still a family, and Billy is still doing the wrong thing, even if it’s with the right intentions.
Asher doesn’t deserve the graciousness Billy gives him, and it’s confusing as to why Billy’s character needs to suffer for Asher’s wrongdoings. It not only unnecessarily regresses Billy, but it also pushes Asher out of consequence way.
The pressure Asher feels is not a viable reason to take drugs, and his resistance in coming clean until caught only showcases how selfish he actually is. Paralleling his worries with Spencers, and juxtaposing the way in which each of them handles the stress, makes him look even worse.
If All American wants to paint Asher Adams as a redeeming character, they’re going to have to pivot approach. Currently, he’s not only lost all the growth from Season 1 but is bringing other characters right down with him.
Even if Asher does stop steroids after this episode, there remains no point to this random off-ramp arc that does nothing but bring everyone involved in it, down.
The idea of an ex-addict like Olivia being gaslit to feel guilty about worrying for her boyfriend’s health is frankly, atrocious. It’s almost as if All American knows what an incredible character it’s created in Olivia Baker, but is simply refusing to propel her story forward.
It blatantly acknowledges the danger of her being with someone who is using but doesn’t actually do anything to remove her from the situation.
The sacrifice of character for the sake of a ship is never a good look.
Jordan is also struggling, with a storyline so far removed from the major plot of the show, he might as well be on a totally different series at this point.
Currently, he is the only person who does not intersect with any major arcs of the season. Which would be fine, if his story was actually interesting.
Spoiler alert: it’s not.
There is so much untapped potential inside of Jordan the show could delve into. Instead, he spends his screen time doting on a girl who’s pregnant with someone else’s baby.
Again, fine, but Jordans arc isn’t even about Jordan anymore. It’s about Simone, and how he fits into her life. But I don’t care about Simone or her life. I care about Jordan, and I want to see him with the rest of the main cast, dealing with more high stakes conflict.
One thing All American almost always delivers on is its ability to intertwine its characters; keeping the friendships and dynamics always fresh and evolving (besides Jordan, for some reason).
That’s never truer on “Who Shot Ya.”
There’s nothing like being wanted for murder to bring friends and family together, and overall, the climax of Coop’s long building conflict is used effectively, for a plethora of emotional moments.
The episode is a lovely display of solidarity; it doesn’t just highlight the bond between Spencer and Coop, but the bond all the characters have found with each other over the past two seasons.
The only issue with this conflict is its resolution. Unlike Asher, Coop’s freedom is earned–she’s truly innocent. While the culprit of Tyrone’s murder is poignant with its sentimentality, it almost feels too easy.
All American has been pulling at this specific thread since the beginning of season one, so revealing the guilty party as an off-screen presence is a dicey move. The twist is shocking, the motivation is solid, but there’s still an inexplicable void where payoff should be.
It’s a controversial decision, but this storyline has cast a shadow over All American since the pilot. It’s time for a new chapter.
It’s surprising All American decides to wrap up so many of its conflicts in “Who Shot Ya”– there are still two episodes left in the season. Whatever comes, here’s hoping undervalued characters begin standing up for what they deserve, and those who deserve consequences, end up facing them.
Random Thoughts:
- The scene with Spencer and Coop on the swings is beautifully shot. It’s a lovely allegory for fleeting innocence.
- Chris is back out of nowhere and I guess we’re all just accepting this!
- Speaking of Chris, he speaks the truth to Olivia about making sure she doesn’t sacrifice her own well being for Ashers. Someone has to say it.
- However, he’s going to need to step off of my boy Darnell.
- All American always remembers parents are parents and kids are kids. We love to see it.
- Everyone is worried about Coop in this episode, but Olivia is worried about Spencer. That’s endgame level of love, y’all.
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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Kat Pettibone
Kat Pettibone is an aspiring TV writer, artist, and poet. As a Pacey Witter Fan Club lifer who never missed a TGIF, she has dreams of becoming your generations small screen Nora Ephron. She's also an avid lover of coffee, dogs and all things spooky.